Russia EV Sales Double After Ukraine Hits Oil Refineries — SkimNews
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- Russia's EV sales surged 118% in June–August 2026 to 26,543 BEV/PHEV units, up from 12,187 the prior year — yet still only ~6% of total car sales versus a ~25% global average.
- Ukraine has struck 24 of Russia's 33 biggest oil refineries, slashing national refining capacity to roughly 70% of domestic demand.
- Russia is now seeing long lines at gas stations, regional fuel-sale restrictions, and a gasoline export ban.
- Ukraine's systematic drone warfare campaign has penetrated deep into Russian airspace to repeatedly hit energy infrastructure.
Why it matters: Even in a top-three global oil producer, refining capacity has fallen roughly 30% short of domestic demand after 24 of 33 major refineries were struck — enough to shift consumer behavior, with EV sales jumping 118% in three months. But the structural transition remains modest: EVs are still just ~6% of Russia's ~400,000 cars sold in that period versus a ~25% global average, meaning the headline spike sits on a very small base.
Ask SkimNews
