Global tension in the Middle East, with the United States and Israel attacking Iran, has caused the price of oil to rise, and consumers in America are feeling the pressure. Higher gas prices have consumers searching more for electric vehicles than they have in months.

Electric Vehicle Searches Grow

Cheaper electric pickup trucks from Slate Auto and Ford Motor Company (F  ) will be available to consumers later this year and in 2027 respectively. That's bad news for consumers, who want electric vehicles now.

A new report from Edmunds, an online car research and advisor owned by Carmax Inc (KMX  ), shows consumers are ready to turn to electric vehicles to offset higher gas prices.

Gas has hit a national average of $3.54 according to data from AAA, up 43 cents from last week.

Higher gas prices have led to more consumers searching for electric vehicles on Edmunds, with the week ending March 9 showing 22.4% of searches were for EVs.

This is up from 20.7% in the prior week and the highest rate in 2026. In the current year, interest in electric vehicle searches has ranged from 20.7% to 21.4% each week, excluding the current surge.

Searches for electric vehicles on Edmunds could go even higher in the coming weeks if gas prices stay high, based on 2022 data.

After Russia invaded Ukraine and oil prices rose globally, interest in electric vehicles also rose on Edmunds. Search interest in EVs went from 17.5% in February 2022 to 25.1% in March 2022. This was with gas prices averaging around $4.22 nationwide. Search interest was also elevated at 25.0% in June 2025, with gas prices hitting $4.93 on average nationwide.

Google searches for electric vehicles are also currently elevated. A search for "gas prices" on Google shows that the current interest is the highest in the past 12 months and is the highest search interest since June 2022, when gas was nearly $5 on average in the United States.

Good News for Electric Vehicles?

While the rise in gas prices could end up being short-lived, the global tensions could carry on and send prices higher or keep them steady.

With electric vehicle owners not having to worry about higher gas prices, some consumers who have been waiting to make the switch may now be ready.

On Edmunds, the top-rated electric vehicles are the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai IONIQ 6, and Nissan Leaf.

Tesla Inc (TSLA  ) would be a notable winner if more people were looking to switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles.

Auto companies with lower-priced EVs like Nissan and Kia could also benefit.

The real winners could end up being online marketplace companies like CarMax and Carvana Co. (CVNA  ).

Investors should continue to monitor electric vehicle search interest and monthly and quarterly sales demand going forward to see whether higher gas prices are contributing to North American demand.