Chinese EV exports surge in developing nations amid Iran war, but charging infrastructure lags

The war in Iran has helped reshape the global electric vehicle market, giving Chinese automakers an opening across the developing world as soaring fuel prices push drivers towards electric vehicles.

While the U.S. and some other wealthy countries are limiting imports of EVs from China, drivers in the developing world have a choice of affordable alternatives from companies like BYD and Geely.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipping of about a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquified natural gas, first hitting Asia — the main destination for the fuels — followed by Africa.

The energy think tank Ember reports that global exports of Chinese EVs have reached new heights since the conflict began.

It's unclear, though, whether those countries can build charging networks fast enough to support a wave of EV imports.