The War on My Wallet: An EV Owner's Plan to Beat the Fuel Crisis

As a proud electric vehicle (EV) owner, social media content creator (YouTube, X, Facebook), retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and overall EV enthusiast here in Central Florida, I've watched with growing concern as the escalating war in Iran disrupts global energy markets and hits us right in our wallets through the gas pump. The conflict has led to Iran's retaliatory closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for about 20% of the world's oil supply. This has sent crude oil prices soaring past $110 per barrel, pushing the national average gas price to around $3.58 per gallon, up sharply from $2.98 just before the war erupted. In Florida, where many of us rely on our cars for daily commutes and errands, these spikes are particularly painful, adding to broader economic pressures, such as higher shipping costs for groceries and goods.

The war's ripple effects are clear: Iran's attacks on Gulf shipping lanes and infrastructure have halted tanker traffic, doubling natural gas prices in some regions and fueling inflation that could linger for months or years. Diesel prices have jumped by more than $1 in battleground states, and experts warn that prolonged disruptions could push U.S. gas prices to $4 or more per gallon nationwide. For families in DeBary and across Orlando, this means tougher choices at the pump and in the budget. But there's a silver lining amid this volatility: owning an EV has insulated me from these wild swings, stabilizing my transportation costs in a way that gas-powered vehicles simply can't match.

Charging my EV at home costs about $0.125 per kWh. I drive 100 miles per day, which adds up to about $3.52. If that were a gas car getting 30 mpg, I would spend $10.95 for 3.3 gallons of gasoline to go the same distance.  My per-mile costs are a third of what I’d pay with a 30-mpg gas-powered car—and most cars get much worse mileage.  Because electricity is produced almost entirely domestically, my operating costs are immune to geopolitical shocks like this one. With Florida's abundant sunshine, solar-powered charging options make it even more affordable and sustainable.

  In times like these, switching to electric isn't just environmentally smart—it's economically savvy, shielding drivers from the dangers of Middle Eastern conflicts and volatile gasoline prices.

I urge everyone reading this to consider going electric. As the war drags on, with Iran's new leadership vowing to maintain the blockade, now is the time for Floridians (and all Americans) to embrace EVs and drive toward a more predictable, cost-effective future.

Every American should embrace the idea that we can turn this crisis into an opportunity for meaningful, lasting energy independence right here at home.

James Brock retired from the U.S. Air Force. He now lives in DeBary where he commutes 100 miles every day for work. He is part of Veterans for EVs, an initiative of the Electrification Coalition that serves as a rallying point for advocacy and action by U.S. military veterans in support of transportation electrification.