Battery-electric registrations jumped 51% in March as oil climbed above $100 a barrel. Chinese brands BYD, Leapmotor, and Xpeng are capturing the biggest gains.

“As tragic as it is—war is tragic for anyone involved—it is probably one of the best things that could have happened to the Chinese EV makers,” said one Chinese EV expert.

European EV sales are accelerating as Middle East oil disruptions push fuel prices higher and make electric cars more attractive.