Overview
- After late-February strikes on Iran and a clampdown in the Strait of Hormuz cut roughly a fifth of global oil and gas flows, countries short on fuel shifted spending to renewables and electrification.
- In March 2026, China shipped a record 68 gigawatts of solar equipment, with dozens of nations setting new import highs, led by fast growth in Asia and Africa.
- Customs and Ember data show March clean-tech exports from China reached about $25.77 billion, including more than $10 billion in batteries, while exports of EVs and hybrids hit a monthly record.
- Analysts say part of March’s spike came from buyers stockpiling ahead of a Chinese tax rebate change in April, raising doubts that the pace can hold through the next few months.
- China’s economy shows stress as the war drags on, with retail car sales down 26% in the first 19 days of April, auto plants cutting output, and toy factory closures triggering protests as higher oil lifts plastic costs and wipes out jobs.