The fuel shortage in Russia has sparked a surge in the purchase of electric cars.

As fuel shortages plague many parts of Russia, leading to long lines at gas stations and soaring prices, a Moscow car dealer is striving to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles from consumers. In recent weeks, attacks by Ukraine on Russia's energy infrastructure have escalated, causing a tightening of gasoline and diesel supplies and prompting most regions in Russia to implement supply restrictions. According to media estimates, retail gasoline prices in some parts of Russia have risen to among the highest in Europe. The increasingly dire fuel supply issue is prompting some car owners to switch to electric vehicles. Yevgeniy Zabelin, founder of EN Cars, a company focusing on Chinese brands, told the media on Wednesday that the company is currently selling two to three electric vehicles daily, compared to just two to three per month a few weeks ago. "Because the fuel supply situation has become complicated, demand has multiplied," he said, adding that consumer interest is rising in both economy and high-end models. According to the analysis firm Autostat and the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, in the first five months of this year, sales of plug-in hybrid new cars in Russia reached approximately 24,600 units, a 125% increase year-on-year, while sales of pure electric vehicles grew by 19% to reach 4,460 units.