{"text":[[{"start":10.53,"text":"Rising fuel prices and “pump anxiety” caused by the Middle East conflict have brought a surge in consumer interest in electric vehicles, leading to more test drives, advert views and sales of used vehicles. "}],[{"start":26.07,"text":"For the automotive industry, the biggest concern is whether the interest will be sustained at a time when carmakers including Ford, Honda and Stellantis have cancelled electric model launches and watered down their ambitions to transition from petrol engines."}],[{"start":43.1,"text":"“The tide is turning on the volatile nature and over-reliance on fossil fuels and we are now starting to see ‘pump anxiety’ [over the cost of petrol] replacing ‘range anxiety’ [about whether batteries will run out of power mid-journey],” said Matt Galvin, head of EV maker Polestar’s UK business, pointing to a rise in enquiries and test drives for its vehicles."}],[{"start":67.5,"text":"Advert views for new BYD models in the UK have risen 77 per cent year-on-year while searches for used BYD vehicles were up over 375 per cent, according to online marketplace AutoTrader. "}],[{"start":83.75,"text":"The most viewed BYD models included its £47,015 Sealion 7 electric car and £29,885 Sealion 5 plug-in hybrid. In one 30-second advertisement on social media this week, BYD Europe went with the catchphrase “Fuel prices change, your plans don’t. Save money with a BYD.” "}],[{"start":107.34,"text":"The world’s largest EV manufacturer has focused on expanding its international sales amid huge pressures at home, recently signing up James Bond actor Daniel Craig for the launch of its new Denza premium model in Europe."}],[{"start":122.73,"text":"The Chinese group reported its first decline in annual profits in four years on Friday, with its chair Wang Chuanfu warning that price competition in the domestic EV market had reached “fever pitch”. Despite declining sales at home, BYD’s shares have risen 17.5 per cent since the Iran war began on investor hopes for a boost in clean energy."}],[{"start":148.46,"text":"Noting the technological edge of Chinese EVs, Wang added: “This represents a golden window period of opportunity for Chinese brands to go global.” "}],[{"start":158.75,"text":"Enquiries for EV models on Renault’s website have increased 24 per cent since February 28, according to the French carmaker."}],[{"start":169.38,"text":"At Kia, which will soon launch EV2, its cheapest and smallest electric model at less than £25,000, requests for test drives of its EVs have surged 84 per cent since February 2025, according to the company."}],[{"start":186.91,"text":"Interest in EVs has traditionally risen in tandem with increasing fuel prices, but historically it has also come down quickly when the market stabilises. According to the RAC motoring organisation, petrol prices in the UK have climbed 13 per cent since the end of February to £1.50 per litre, its highest level in nearly two years."}],[{"start":211.31,"text":"Still, some car executives have said the latest rise in petrol prices has coincided with an increased number of both new and used EV models, more affordable offerings and improved battery range."}],[{"start":225.55,"text":"Sales of battery-powered models increased 15 per cent year-on-year in the first two months of the year, according to European car industry group Acea, accounting for 19 per cent of the EU’s new car market. In the UK, EVs made up 22 per cent of the market. "}],[{"start":245.79000000000002,"text":"“The fact that I can say to you that we’re selling like four times more the number of used EVs than we were even six months ago I think is an indicator that it is real demand,” said Gurjeet Grewal, chief executive of Octopus Electric Vehicles, which provides electric car leasing and finance."}],[{"start":275.88000000000005,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1774945914_8563.mp3"}