On a mid-march morning, the Ratchapruek P Car Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, bustled with customers. Chief Executive Officer Samart Prakotkancharna recently observed a customer, fresh from a luxury Mercedes, using a stack of cash to purchase a used electric vehicle.

"He said he's afraid he won't have enough money to fill his tank soon," Samart stated. Throughout the past week, his car lot has seen a continuous stream of similar urgent purchases.

A person fueling a car at a Petronas gas station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP

Concerns over escalating fuel prices, triggered by recent geopolitical instability in the Middle East, are significantly accelerating the electric vehicle transition across Southeast Asia. Consumer preferences are visibly shifting. EVs, no longer exclusively for the affluent or tech-savvy, are gaining popularity due to their lower operating costs. In Thailand, used compact EV models, such as the Neta V, priced around 200,000 baht (VND 140 million), are experiencing high demand.

Experts predict 2026 could mark a turning point for the region's electric vehicle market. While sales previously relied heavily on government subsidies, the market is now developing its own organic growth momentum.

This trend extends beyond Thailand. Malaysia and Indonesia are also reporting impressive electric vehicle sales growth, despite intense brand competition. A report from the Ember energy research institute indicated that last year, one out of every 6 cars sold in the region was electric.

Statistics reveal new electric vehicle deliveries in the region surged by 62% during the first three quarters of 2025, with this momentum continuing into early 2026. In several Southeast Asian nations, electric vehicle adoption rates now outstrip gasoline-powered cars. For instance, Thailand's EV market share reached 18-20%, while Indonesia's rose to 15-18%. In Singapore, electric vehicle brands even surpassed traditional car manufacturers, securing 21,2% of the total market share last year.

This robust growth foundation, combined with the fuel shock from the Middle East, has officially triggered a widespread shift away from internal combustion engine vehicles across the region.

While charging station infrastructure remains a barrier causing hesitation for many, experts assert that the electrification of transportation in Southeast Asia has reached an irreversible point.

"The race to transition to electric vehicles is no longer solely for environmental reasons," stated Lam Pham, an analyst at the Ember Institute. "It also addresses the challenge of ensuring energy security and economic autonomy for individuals amid global volatility."

By Nhat Minh (According to SCMP, Reuters, AP)