Russia's fuel crisis is sending drivers running to Chinese EVs

A fuel shortage spreading across Russia is pushing drivers toward Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) as motorists seek alternatives to rising gasoline prices and long queues at filling stations.

At Moscow-based EN Cars, demand for electric vehicles has jumped sharply in recent weeks. Founder Yevgeniy Zabelin said the dealership now sells two to three EVs every day, compared with only two to three vehicles per month before fuel supplies became strained.

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Fuel Prices Drive EV Demand

The increase comes as Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have disrupted gasoline and diesel supplies across much of the country.

Retail gasoline prices in some regions have climbed to among the highest levels in Europe, according to Reuters calculations. Fuel prices were already more than 12% higher year-on-year between January and May.

“Since the fuel situation became complicated, demand has grown many times over,” Zabelin told Reuters.

Interest is rising across both budget and premium vehicle segments, with buyers increasingly considering Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrids as practical alternatives.

Chinese Automakers Benefit

According to Autostat, leading EV and hybrid brands in Russia are supplied by Chinese Automakers including Geely, Dongfeng, GAC and Chery.

Sales data shows the trend gaining momentum. About 24,600 new plug-in hybrids were sold during the first five months of 2026, up 125% from a year earlier. Fully electric vehicle sales rose 19% to 4,460 units over the same period.

Autostat executive director Sergei Udalov said inventories remain limited because manufacturers were not prepared for the fuel crisis.

However, he added that if shortages continue, EV sales could grow significantly in coming months, with Chinese manufacturers likely to benefit the most.

Infrastructure Challenges Remain

Despite rising demand, Russia still faces major Energy infrastructure challenges. The country’s vast geography, cold climate, and limited network of Charging Stations continue to slow wider EV adoption. Charging locations increased by 20% over the past year, according to digital mapping service 2GIS.

For some owners, home charging offers a solution. “Especially in the current situation, I haven’t had any problems at all,” customer Vasiliy told Reuters after purchasing both a hybrid and an electric vehicle.

Yet he noted that charging remains difficult in Moscow, highlighting one of the biggest obstacles facing Russia’s growing EV market.