MS NOW: Wartime Oil Shock Could Backfire on Fossil Fuels, Igniting ‘Green Future’

For some time now, EVinfo.net has been reporting that the high wartime fuel costs and fuel outages around the world caused by the Iran war are causing a “Green Future,” a global boom in support and sales of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs).

However, EVinfo.net is independent media, not mainstream media. That’s now changing as mainstream media is beginning to echo our points.

On May 1, 2026, Host Chris Hayes at MS NOW’s YouTube channel, with 9.81 million subscribers, reported on the topic.

A Majority of Americans Now Believe Using Military Force Against Iran Was a Mistake

Hayes reported that a new poll from The Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos finds that a majority of Americans now believe using military force against Iran was a mistake. According to the Post, it took years for public opinion to turn against the Iraq War after its launch in March 2003. By contrast, disapproval of the Iran war has surged in just two months.

The Washington Post article said that critics argue the war has delivered no tangible benefits to Americans, only mounting costs. The national average price for unleaded gasoline has jumped to $4.39 per gallon, marking the largest single-day increase since the ceasefire began. Overall, gas prices have climbed nearly 50 percent since the start of the conflict.

Hayes said that meanwhile, major oil companies appear to be the primary beneficiaries. Exxon Mobil and Chevron both reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, even as they signal no plans to boost U.S. production in ways that could ease prices.

The situation echoes past energy shocks, particularly the 1970s energy crisis, which brought fuel shortages, rationing, and long lines at gas stations, followed by a global recession and stagflation marked by high inflation, weak growth, and rising unemployment.

Nearly five decades later, the U.S. economy remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, relying on energy systems rooted in 19th-century technology well into 2026.

For the First Time, There is a Viable Alternative to Oil That is Both Available and Cost-competitive

What makes this moment different is that, for the first time, there is a viable alternative that is both available and cost-competitive. And the President is fully aware of that.

The administration has directed hundreds of millions of dollars from public funds toward energy companies to halt the development of EVs and renewable energy, effectively subsidizing fossil fuels. At the same time, policies have worked to undermine clean energy options, increasing reliance on oil and even coal.

Globally, the Trend is Moving in the Opposite Direction

Globally, however, the trend is moving in the opposite direction. Adoption of electric vehicles is accelerating at a rapid pace. Analysts point to parts of Europe and Asia reaching a tipping point, where consumers are now purchasing more electric vehicles than traditional gasoline-powered cars.

Market data across multiple countries illustrates this shift clearly. Earlier periods are dominated by internal combustion engine vehicles, but over time, electric and hybrid models gain share and begin to overtake them. In Germany, the share of gas-powered cars has declined significantly. China shows an even faster transition at over 50% adoption. In Norway, nearly 98% of new car sales are electric.

On April 23rd, Reuters reported that Europe’s registrations of battery electric vehicles jumped by around 42% in March, a sign that consumers are turning against internal combustion engines over fuel price rises ​due to the Iran war. The trend was most noticeable in Germany, France ​and Italy, where registrations of battery electric vehicles grew by about 66%, ‌69% ⁠and 72%, respectively.

The United States has not yet reached that inflection point. In fact, EV sales declined last quarter following policy changes.

In February, EVinfo.net reported that over the last year, a concerning pattern has emerged in U.S. federal transportation and environmental policy. Instead of accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels, the U.S. administration is loosening incentives and standards that protect public health and the climate. These included the cut of the federal EV tax credit, relaxed vehicle emissions standards, and removing the Environmental Protection Agency’s endangerment finding.

That said, the U.S. market is evolving quickly. Historically, consumer choice was limited, but a new wave of electric models is set to expand options significantly in the near term.

EV industry veteran Angelo Elyassi reported on his Linkedin account that in March 2026, 42,924 used EVs sold in a single month, up 54% from February and up 28% year over year. Q1 as a whole hit over 100,000 units, the second-strongest quarter on record and up 12% on the same period last year.

We expect new EV sales to show similar growth in the USA, however those will take some time to show up in sales statistics.

The Rise of Cheap, High Quality Chinese EVs

Hayes reported on the astounding growth of the Chinese EV industry. He said that China’s BYD began as a battery manufacturer for mobile phones before evolving into a fully integrated automaker that now produces a wide range of vehicles and energy technologies. Its latest models, and other Chinese EVs, are undercutting gasoline cars on purchase price and operating costs.

The bigger shift, however, may be convenience. New charging breakthroughs are closing the gap with traditional refueling. For example, the Yangwang U8L can charge from roughly 10 percent to nearly full in just over nine minutes using ultra-fast charging. Similarly, the BYD Han EV can reach about 60 percent charge in around five minutes. These speeds are approaching, and in some cases surpassing, the time it takes to refuel a conventional vehicle, signaling that EV adoption is entering a new phase.

Much of this rapid innovation is coming out of China, where electric vehicle development has accelerated dramatically. U.S. automakers are taking notice. Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company, recently remarked that Chinese vehicles have moved from trailing global competitors to surpassing them in design, technology, and execution. Companies like NIO are also pushing boundaries with innovations such as battery swapping, allowing drivers to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in minutes.

This transformation extends beyond vehicles. Solar energy deployment continues to expand globally, even amid policy resistance in the U.S.

On April 21, 2026, Ember reported clean electricity reached a pivotal milestone in 2025, as low-carbon sources supplied the entirety of growth in global power demand, effectively halting any increase in fossil-fueled generation. Solar was the primary force behind this shift. Global solar output climbed by 636 TWh in 2025, marking a 30% year-over-year increase and the fastest growth rate in eight years.

Around the world, countries are accelerating toward renewable adoption. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, Vietnam, and Pakistan, rooftop solar is expanding rapidly as a practical response to high energy costs and grid limitations.

The broader implication is a global shift driven by economics and accessibility. As oil prices remain elevated, the incentive to transition to cheaper, locally generated energy sources grows stronger, particularly in emerging markets where cost sensitivity is highest.

IEA Says ‘War in Iran Is Causing Biggest Energy Crisis in History,’ Strengthening Long-Term EV Economics

On April 21, EVinfo.net reported that that Faith Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel is creating the ​worst energy crisis ever faced by the ‌world.

According to Birol, the oil industry may be undergoing a structural transformation that will permanently alter its role in the global economy.

Hayes mentioned the comment by Birol in the MS NOW video. Robinson Meyer, a contributing writer for The New York Times and founding executive editor of Heatmap News, joined the discussion to break down what these shifts mean.

Hayes noted a video that showed how a homeowner with a Rivian vehicle was able to install solar panels, connect an inverter, and charge their car directly, all without permits or specialized approvals. The implication is that this kind of energy independence is no longer theoretical. It is accessible, modular, and increasingly within reach for individuals.

Meyer emphasized that this reflects a broader global pattern. As energy prices remain elevated, the impact varies widely. In a wealthy country like the United States, higher fuel costs are burdensome, especially for lower-income households that depend heavily on driving. But in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Vietnam, and Pakistan, the stakes are even higher, making the shift to cheaper, decentralized energy sources more urgent.

Meyer pointed out that this is not the first time the U.S. has confronted energy vulnerability. Since the 1970s energy crisis, policymakers have repeatedly turned to alternative energy during periods of disruption, only to scale back support once conditions stabilized. This cycle repeated through the 1990s, the mid-2000s oil price surge, and into the early development of electric vehicles in the 2010s.

What distinguishes the current moment, particularly following the 2022 shock tied to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the present 2026 crisis, is that these technologies are no longer experimental. Renewable energy and electrification systems are now mature enough to operate at scale. Countries can realistically adopt them as core components of national energy strategies, whether transitioning existing systems, as seen in Norway and France, or building new infrastructure from the ground up across parts of Southeast Asia.

He also highlighted the contradiction in U.S. policy messaging. Public promises to reduce energy costs have been paired with policies that heavily favor fossil fuel producers, including deregulation and expanded access to resources. Despite those measures, energy prices remain elevated.

A key vulnerability, Meyer noted, is the global dependence on chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, where a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes through a narrow, geopolitically sensitive corridor. This reliance contrasts sharply with renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are geographically distributed and not subject to the same bottlenecks.

There are, however, new dependencies emerging. China currently dominates refining capacity and supply chains for critical minerals essential to clean energy technologies. While this presents a strategic challenge, Meyer argued that such capabilities can be replicated over time by other countries.

China’s approach to energy policy reflects this long-term thinking. Facing potential constraints on imported fossil fuels, including scenarios involving maritime disruption, China has aggressively expanded domestic energy sources, including renewables, electric vehicles, and even coal, to ensure resilience.

The broader takeaway is structural. Most countries lack significant domestic oil and gas reserves, making them more vulnerable to global price shocks. As a result, electrification and locally generated energy are becoming not just environmental choices, but economic and geopolitical necessities.

EVinfo.net’s Take: America is Moving in the Wrong Direction in Multiple Fronts

The Iran war must end. The strait of Hormuz must be opened. The President seems to not be in a hurry to do either, and seems incapable of doing either. This and other mistakes by the administration, such as illegal tariffs, are harming our economy. 73% of Americans recently said the economy is getting worse.

The US Federal Government must immediately and completely reverse course on all anti-EV and anti renewable energy policy.

But consumers in the U.S., and around the world, shouldn’t wait for these smart moves to happen, as the current administration is not smart. The President is building a golden ballroom and golden archway rather than focusing on lowering prices for struggling Americans.

Starting today, people can fight back against high fuel prices. One answer is installing solar in your home or business. If you are unable to, most power utilities offer options with a higher renewable energy mix.

Ecoflow reported that depending on the size, number, and quality of panels, an off-grid solar array will cost, on average, anywhere between $5,000 and $30,000.

Another way to fight back is by adopting a new or used electric vehicle (EV). EVs are easier than ever to adopt, offering higher ranges and lower charging times than ever before. Public charging is growing fast and is widely available. Used EVs offer a very compelling option at the moment, findable at very low prices, and immediately available.