FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

EV Interest Varies Regionally

U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles lags behind other countries despite the rising gas prices caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.

April 10, 2026
electric vehicle next to an urban charging station. EV Demand Diverges. F&I and Showroom logo

EV adoption in the U.S. is still largely driven by affordability challenges, charging infrastructure and consumer confidence.

Credit:

Canva

1 min to read


As the war in the Middle East remained unresolved, early data shows that consumer interest in electric vehicles is on the rise, though it varies by country.

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence reported that almost every global market with released data has shown a year-over-year increase in battery electric vehicle sales in March after the start of the war.

Ad Loading...

New Zealand had the biggest jump with a 263% sales growth rate. And Norway made a strong reversal from being down 44% year-over-year in January and February to being up 51% in March.

However, in the U.S. the response has been milder, according to Edmunds data. EV consideration on its site rose just 2% month-over-month in March, and market share remained relatively flat.

The car-shopping website postulated that EV adoption in the U.S. relies “less on volatility at the pump and more on fundamentals like affordability, access to charging, and consumer confidence.”

With affordability pressures high and the average transaction price of a new EV around $55,000 in March, it’s safe to say many consumers might not be able to make the switch. But that could be an opportunity for the used EV market to continue the sales growth it saw in the first quarter.

More Industry

two men in Army uniforms looking under the hood of a car
Industryby Lauren LawrenceSeptember 10, 2026

From Military Service to Service Bay

Shifting Gears aims to alleviate the strain caused by the auto industry’s technician shortage while easing the sometimes jarring transition that veterans face after leaving the Army.

Read More →
Silver car driving down road with graphic that says “Europe Plugs In”
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceSeptember 9, 2026

European EV Sales Skyrocket

The EV market on the continent held strong in July with almost 25% of new-car sales being fully electric units, a stark contrast to the U.S., where EV sales declined about 42%.

Read More →
Photo of three Ford mobile service vans parked in lot with a technician standing at the back of each
Industryby Hannah MitchellSeptember 1, 2026

Service on Wheels

More auto dealerships are offering mobile servicing for today’s convenience-minded consumers to boost business and stand out from competition, though it may not fit every store.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Front of black car with headlights on.
IndustryAugust 31, 2026

Luxury Auto Group Sells San Diego Stores

A major U.S. luxury automotive group, O’Gara Coach, sold its rooftops in La Jolla, a coastal neighborhood in San Diego, Calif.

Read More →
Drone flying in front of blurry background.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 26, 2026

Parts Delivery Takes Flight

A Detroit auto group has launched an autonomous parts-delivery program using drone technology, thanks to a grant from Michigan’s Advanced Air Mobility Activation Fund.

Read More →
Mechanic holding a vehicle diagnostic device while standing above an open car hood
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 24, 2026

Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High

Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
public electric vehicle charging station with one charger and two parking spots
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 24, 2026

NY Advances Charging Infrastructure

Public EV charging in New York is getting a boost with a new program designed to help public entities cut purchase and installation costs of Level 2 charging stations.

Read More →
Cars from the rear on a Shanghai freeway
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 19, 2026

China as Pacesetter

Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.

Read More →
man performing maintenance under a car
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 19, 2026

Find Efficiency in Fixed Ops

A new report shows how service departments can maximize their profitability through efficiency, productivity and the right tools in technicians' hands.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black leather with white trim back passenger seats.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 17, 2026

Closing the Seat Gap

Mass-market brand vehicle seats are outpacing luxury versions when it comes to customer satisfaction, according JD Power research.

Read More →