"This year, one in four cars sold worldwide will be electric. War in Iran is speeding the shift."

"Around the globe, electric vehicles are gaining fresh momentum as the U.S. war with Iran, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have caused oil and gasoline prices to spike.

The rise of electric vehicles is upending international car markets. Total sales of traditional cars with internal combustion engines have been in a steady decline, and this year, they’re expected to reach their lowest level since the early 2000s.

Meanwhile, a record 29 percent of all new cars sold around the world this year are expected to be powered by electricity, including fully battery-powered models and plug-in hybrids, according to a recent report from the International Energy Agency. That’s a sharp increase from just 4 percent in 2020."

Mira Rojanasakul and Brad Plumer report for the New York Times August 18, 2026.