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The rise in gasoline prices in the United States, driven by the military conflict with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has sparked interest in electric vehicles across the country, although Florida is showing a less pronounced increase compared to other states.
Since the beginning of the so-called "Operation Epic Fury" on February 28, the national average price of a gallon of gasoline has increased by 37%, from the $2.98 prior to the conflict to $4.135 recorded this Saturday, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
In Florida, the gallon reached $4.19 this past Monday, and in Miami Beach prices were recorded at up to $5.39 at some Shell stations, one of the highest levels in the country.
The impact on the wallet is immediate: the average American pays about $31 more per month on fuel, a figure that increases significantly for the 50 million pickup truck drivers and the 10 million households with large SUVs that dominate in states like Florida.
The automotive platform CarEdge confirmed that online searches for electric vehicles increased by 20% in the week following the onset of the conflict, with traffic for models such as the Tesla Model Y and the Chevrolet Equinox EV nearly doubling. Justin Fischer, an analyst at CarEdge, stated that "the increase in searches began within the first 48 hours after the conflict started."
Jessica Caldwell, head of analysis at the consulting firm Edmunds, summarized the pressure that drivers feel: "Every time you fill your tank, you face the cost; it's something immediate." For consumers with lower incomes, the used car market offers a solution: Caldwell noted that "today it is possible to purchase a used electric vehicle for less than $25,000, which is attractive compared to the prices of new cars." Among the more affordable options are brands like Tesla, Chevrolet, and Nissan.
Despite the increase in interest, the national electric vehicle market was on the decline. Sales of electric vehicles accounted for just 7.8% of the total in 2025, down from the 2024 level, affected by the removal of federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 per vehicle and the regulatory rollback from the Trump administration. After the expiration of these incentives, sales dropped 36% in the last quarter compared to the same period the previous year.
The historical precedent, however, is encouraging for the sector: in 2022, when the gallon reached a record $5.36 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, electric vehicle sales increased by 66% that year. Elaine Buckberg, a researcher at Harvard and former chief economist of General Motors, warned that "a second episode of significant volatility in less than five years could make consumers more sensitive to gasoline prices."
In Florida, the situation is paradoxical. The state ranks second nationally in electric vehicle registrations, with over 400,000 units, and achieved a market share of 12.8% in the third quarter of 2025, above the national average. However, the surge in interest due to rising gasoline prices is not as strong as in other states with more robust charging infrastructure and state policies that are more favorable to energy transition.
The decisions made by Governor Ron DeSantis partly explain this lag. Through Bill 1084, he eliminated local pre-wiring requirements for electric chargers in commercial developments, reversing policies that cities like Miami-Dade, Orlando, Tampa, and Coral Gables had implemented. In July 2024, he also signed legislation that bans wind turbines in state waters and eliminates grant programs for clean energy. Public charging infrastructure remains insufficient, with charging deserts in rural areas, the Panhandle, and hurricane evacuation corridors.
Many Florida drivers continue to prioritize gasoline trucks and SUVs out of habit and for long distances, although they acknowledge that, with these prices, "not having to fill up the tank" makes electric vehicles more appealing. Don Francis, president of the EV Club of the South, summed it up this way: "There is interest, but people are still not fully committed. There could be a tipping point if these high prices persist."
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