Every market tracked by the platform—covering France, Romania, Portugal, Poland, and South Africa—recorded sustained year-on-year growth in electric vehicle leads through June 2026. France currently leads the pack with a 206% increase, followed by South Africa at 154.6%. The data suggests that the initial spike in interest, triggered by energy security concerns following the conflict in Iran earlier this year, has evolved into a structural shift in consumer behavior.

Chinese automakers are capitalizing on this transition by filling the demand for accessible, lower-priced models. In France, interest in Chinese brands soared 276% year-on-year, even as overall EV prices climbed by 25%. Conversely, in Romania, the influx of Chinese vehicles has helped drive EV prices down by 8%, making the technology more attainable for local buyers.

Market maturity varies significantly across the group. Portugal remains the most advanced, with EVs representing 14.9% of all platform leads. While MG and BYD dominate in most regions, South Africa presents a unique case; although Chinese brands hold a 7.31% market share there, consumer preference remains heavily skewed toward petrol and hybrid SUVs, with electric models accounting for only 0.3% of that demand. According to Christian Gisy, CEO of OLX, the rapid acceleration of electric mobility is directly tied to the ability of Chinese manufacturers to tailor their pricing and model availability to specific regional needs.