The fastest way for Europe to cut its oil dependency may be through its own rules on cars. Meeting the EU’s existing electric vehicle targets could reduce annual oil imports by 190 million barrels by 2030, saving around €12 billion a year and strengthening the bloc’s energy security, according to a new analysis.
Road transport is one of Europe’s biggest energy vulnerabilities, accounting for around two thirds of EU oil demand, according to the report by E-Mobility Europe, an electric mobility industry association, and Ember, a climate and energy think tank. Getting more battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the road is one of the quickest ways Europe can cut its dependence on imported fossil fuels. And as the electricity they use increasingly comes from renewable sources produced in Europe, the region would be less exposed to volatile global energy prices.
Millions more electric vehicles
Taking the current EU regulatory pathway, that could lead to 35 million battery electric passenger cars‚ three million electric vans and 200‚000 battery electric heavy goods vehicles by the end of this decade‚ according to the analysis.
Compared with a scenario where electric vehicle adoption stalls at today’s levels‚ this avoids around 190 million barrels of oil consumption each year‚ or ten per cent of current road transport oil demand. The report states electric vehicles are already reducing Europe’s dependence on imported oil.
In 2025 BEVs displaced 67 million barrels and saved European countries more than €4 billion in imported oil. In the first half of 2026‚ more than one million units of electric vehicles were registered‚ displacing another four million barrels.
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A way to energy security
E-Mobility Europe and Ember promote electric mobility as a pillar of energy security as well as a climate measure. They argue that heightened geopolitical tensions and volatility in global oil markets further strengthen the case for European efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. The electrification of transport should be prioritised among the EU’s resilience strategy.
The report also calls on the EU to maintain current CO₂ standards for cars‚ vans and heavy duty vehicles.
The report also sets a five point “electric security” plan. It covers a faster roll out of electric vehicles‚ stronger EU battery and manufacturing capacity, reducing the relative cost of electricity to fossil fuel, better integration of electric vehicles in the power system using smart charging and strengthened cybersecurity of connected mobility systems.
Warning against slowing electrification
The analysis warns against slowing the electrification of road transport by using hybrid technologies or alternative fuels. While it recognises a role for renewable fuels in aviation and shipping, it states that electrification is the most efficient and scalable way to reduce oil use in road transport.
As the report concludes fewer electric cars would also leave Europe vulnerable to future oil price shocks and geopolitical instabilities.
