Iran war fuel shock accelerates China’s shift to electric trucks

The surge in diesel prices triggered by the Iran war is expected to accelerate China’s transition toward electric heavy trucks, potentially speeding the decline in fuel demand in the world’s largest oil importer, analysts and automakers say.

Electric heavy trucks, once a niche segment, accounted for nearly a third of new heavy truck sales in China in 2025, driven by government subsidies, lower refuelling costs and expanding charging infrastructure.

According to data provider CVWorld.cn, sales of new-energy heavy trucks rose 45% year-on-year to 44,000 units in early 2026, accounting for more than a quarter of the market, up from less than 20% a year earlier.