Detroit Professor Bought EV Before Iran War Spiked Gas Prices

Kevin Ketels says electricity costs are more stable than volatile gas prices.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:20pm

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When Kevin Ketels, a 55-year-old supply chain management professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, bought an electric 2026 Chevrolet Blazer last year, he wasn't thinking about the cost of gas. Now that the Iran war is spiking prices at the pump, Ketels is happy he is no longer filling up his 11-year-old gas-powered SUV, saying "Electricity can go up, but it won't go up nearly as much as gas will and it won't go up nearly as fast, either."

Why it matters

The Iran war has caused a spike in gas prices, which is driving some consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs). Experts say prolonged high gas prices may drive more EV sales, especially if drivers assume their electricity prices won't be as affected by global conflicts. However, electricity prices have also been increasing nationally for other reasons, so the extent to which oil and gas conflicts could translate to the electricity sector is yet to be seen.

The details

Ketels, an assistant professor of global supply chain management, bought the electric vehicle last year because he "just thought EVs were better and wanted to be part of the future." Experts say drivers of gas-powered vehicles are much more vulnerable to fluctuating prices that result from global conflict than those who charge their EVs, as residential electricity prices are regulated and much less volatile than gasoline prices. However, higher natural gas prices can increase the cost of generating electricity, and persistent war could affect electricity bills in the future.

  • Ketels bought the electric 2026 Chevrolet Blazer last year.
  • The national average for a gallon of regular gas this week was $3.57, up from $2.94 a month ago.

The players

Kevin Ketels

A 55-year-old assistant professor of global supply chain management at Wayne State University in Detroit who bought an electric 2026 Chevrolet Blazer last year.

Erich Muehlegger

An economics professor at the University of California, Davis who said residential electricity prices are regulated and much less volatile than gasoline prices.

Holt Edwards

A principal in Bracewell's Policy Resolution Group who said the Iran war is an "inflationary event" that is likely contributing to increases in electricity prices.

Pierpaolo Cazzola

An energy expert at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy who said the variation in the price of the energy component used to generate electricity is smaller in the U.S. than elsewhere.

Euan Graham

An analyst at energy think tank Ember who said clean power and electrification combined provide the most energy security.

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What they’re saying

“Electricity can go up, but it won't go up nearly as much as gas will and it won't go up nearly as fast, either.”

— Kevin Ketels, Assistant Professor of Global Supply Chain Management

“As a result, EV owners are largely unaffected by oil price shocks.”

— Erich Muehlegger, Economics Professor

“This is an inflationary event. Is this the driver in electricity prices? I think probably not. But it's certainly a contributing factor.”

— Holt Edwards, Principal, Bracewell's Policy Resolution Group

What’s next

Experts say persistent war could affect electricity bills in the future, and that is all the more reason for countries to transition to clean power.

The takeaway

This case highlights how electric vehicle owners can be largely insulated from volatile gas price fluctuations caused by global conflicts, though electricity prices are also rising for other reasons. The transition to clean power and electrification is seen as key to providing long-term energy security.