Fuel prices in France have reached record levels, with diesel hitting 2.41 euros per liter on September 20, and SP95 E10 priced at around 2.17 euros. This surge is linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil transportation through the Strait of Hormuz since late February. As a result, many French consumers are seeking alternatives, with electric vehicles becoming a more attractive option due to their lower operating and maintenance costs, even as electricity prices have risen. According to La Centrale, a popular online marketplace for used cars, searches for electric vehicles on its platform have increased by 214% since the start of the Middle East conflict on February 28, 2026. On September 20, the site recorded over 130,000 searches in a single day, a new record. This growing interest is reflected in the market, where the average time between a vehicle being picked up by a professional and its resale has decreased from 120 days to 98 days — a drop of 18%. Some models, like the Tesla Model Y, are selling even faster, with an average of just 35 days between pickup and resale. The supply of used electric vehicles on La Centrale has dropped significantly, with a 32% decrease in stock over the past year. For vehicles priced under 20,000 euros, the decline has been even steeper, at 48%. The most affordable models, such as the Renault Zoé, have seen the sharpest drop, with its stock on the site falling by 86% in a year. Only 640 Renault Zoé listings are now available, compared to about 4,500 in September 2025. The average price of the Renault Zoé has risen by 25% over the past year, now standing at 14,985 euros. The Dacia Spring remains one of the most affordable options, priced at 10,999 euros. Used electric vehicles have seen a sharp rise in prices due to increased demand. The average price of such vehicles is now 25,593 euros, an increase of 2,267 euros over the past year — a 9.7% rise, the highest among all vehicle types. In just three months, prices have climbed by 5.7%. However, not all models are affected equally. Vehicles less than two years old have seen more stable prices, while those aged two to four years have experienced stronger price increases, rising by about 1,500 euros annually. These older models are now listed at an average of 21,490 euros. Guillaume-Henri Blanchet, general director of La Centrale, predicts that more affordable options will become available in 2027 as electric vehicles rented under the first wave of social leasing programs in 2024 return to the market after their three-year rental period. Until then, the supply of used small electric vehicles is expected to remain limited due to strong demand.