China has been preparing for a global energy crisis for years. It is paying off now

The Guardian ^ | 19th March 2026 | Callum Jones

[Cronos]

As other Asian economies race to conserve energy, China has huge reserves of oil and gas as well as alternative energy sources like wind and solar

China, the world’s second-largest economy, appears to be in a very different position to much of the continent.

Its energy system has “significant buffers”, Michal Meidan, the head of China energy research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, an independent research institute, explained in a recent paper – from huge reserves of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a robust domestic supply, including alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar.

Iran has continued to ship to China, the primary buyer of its oil, despite the war. China’s imports of Iranian crude have slipped only marginally, according to Kpler estimates, from 1.57m barrels per day in February to 1.47m barrels per day in March.

Chinese vessels operated by state-owned firms are meanwhile working to navigate the broader region. The Kai Jing supertanker diverted to pick up Saudi crude at a Red Sea port earlier this month, Chinese media outlet Caixin reported, and is set to dock in China in early April.

Beijing does not disclose the size of its oil reserves, and estimates vary significantly. But it is widely agreed to be sitting on a massive stockpile: about 1.4bn barrels, according to Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.

After the war began, Beijing instructed its own refineries to stop exports.

At the same time, the Chinese state has sought to reduce its economic reliance on fossil fuels. More electric and hybrid vehicles are sold inside China each year than across the rest of the world, according to the International Energy Agency.

---

TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; Iran; War
KEYWORDS: chicommpropaganda; china; energy; hormuz; oil; petroleum; smuggling; strategicreserves

[Cronos]

They went ev a long time ago

[Cronos]

This is going to push the sale of hybrids and electric vehicles much higher. I would guess, by 2030 it would be over half in European countries and nearly 60% in China and India

[Equine1952]

What they going to charge the EV batteries with? The gas outa their ass?

[Cronos]

As of late 2024 and early 2025, New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)—comprising battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV)—account for over 50% of new car sales in China. Roughly 60% of these sales are pure battery electrics, while 40% are plug-in hybrids, with hybrids gaining rapidly in popularity due to range concerns

Plug-in hybrids are experiencing a significant surge, accounting for a growing share—sometimes over 40%—of new energy vehicle deliveries, according to the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce.

For European countries
Electric (BEV): Accounted for 17.4% of the market for the full year 2025.
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): Captured 9.4% of new registrations in 2025, showing sharp year-over-year growth.
Hybrid-Electric (HEV): Remained the most popular alternative power source, holding a 34.5% market share.
Combined Impact: By 2025, the combined share of electrified vehicles reached over 60%, while traditional petrol and diesel shares fell to 35.5

In the usa

Electric (BEV): Market share for new sales was approximately 7.7% to 9.9% in 2024. While projections for 2025 varied, some data showed a decline to roughly 6% in late 2025 following the expiration of federal tax credits.
Hybrid (HEV & PHEV): Hybrid models are currently the primary driver of U.S. electrification.
Conventional Hybrids: Reached a record 10.6% - 10.8% market share by late 2024.
Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV): Maintained a smaller share of roughly 1.6% to 1.8%.
Total “Electrified” Share: Combined sales of hybrids and EVs reached 22% of new light-duty vehicles sold in 2025.

India is lagging behind

Electric Vehicles (BEV): Accounts for approximately 2.7% to 3.2% of new car sales as of mid-2025. While growth has been steady, it is currently slower than in China or Europe due to higher upfront costs and a still-developing charging network.
Hybrid Vehicles: Holds a share of roughly 2.1% to 2.5%. “Strong” hybrids (which can run on electric power alone for short distances) are gaining traction, with sales growing by 83% in late 2025, occasionally outpacing the growth rate of pure EVs

[Cronos]

What they going to charge the EV batteries with?

For China While it is the world’s leader in solar and wind—surpassing its 2030 renewable targets six years early in 2024—the grid still relies on coal for about 58-60% of its power. However, over 80% of new electricity demand in China is now met by clean energy

For the EU Renewables make up nearly 50% of the supply, followed by nuclear (23%), with coal dropping to just 11%.

For the USA The primary source is natural gas (over 40%), followed by renewables (23%) and nuclear (18%). Coal has declined significantly to about 16%.

For India heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with coal providing roughly 75% of electricity. Solar and wind are growing but currently account for about 10% of the

[Equine1952]

Is that why everyone is worried about the Straights of Hormuz and oil flow? Your just pulling this crap outa your butt past your head huh?

[ifinnegan]

BB BS C

[Cronos]

Is that why everyone is worried about the Straights of Hormuz and oil flow?

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical “energy chokepoint” because it controls the flow of roughly 20% of the world’s total oil and gas supply.

While the shift to EVs and renewables is helping some countries become more energy-independent, the world—especially Asia—remains deeply tethered to this narrow waterway as:
1. Asia is dependent on it : As of early 2026, roughly 80-90% of the energy moving through the Strait is bound for Asian markets

2. The article ends with “China is better placed than most to navigate the economic dangers thrown up by the US-Israel war on Iran. But its energy supply is not, despite Xi’s vision, entirely in its own hands.

Should weeks turn into months, and if the global energy market continues to creak, its resilience will be tested, just like the rest of the world”

[Cronos]

So the Chicoms are temporarily ok, but if this drags on into May they have a big problem

[FLT-bird]

China has stockpiled as much oil as they can....but that won’t last long if the Persian Gulf is closed. The lack of oil is a huge strategic vulnerability for China. Its estimated they could only last about 3 months if the Straits of Hormuz really were completely shut off.

[FLT-bird]

The article ends with “China is better placed than most to navigate the economic dangers thrown up by the US-Israel war on Iran. But its energy supply is not, despite Xi’s vision, entirely in its own hands.

I would say China is particularly vulnerable to an oil/gas shock. They've stockpiled as much oil as they can. They're trying to get more pipelines built from Russia (though that will take years). They've pushed electric cars domestically because they don't use oil. They are heavily reliant on Coal which they have a good amount of. BUT, they have very little oil of their own and are hugely reliant on imports - particularly from the Persian Gulf. If that gets closed for any length of time they are in terrible shape.

Russia is not. America is not. Europe is somewhat. Asia gets hurt especially badly though.

[ifinnegan]

“So the Chicoms are temporarily ok, but if this drags on into May…”

Yeah. And temporarily is very subjective. Probably more like April. And then the cost.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

They went ev a long time ago

The Guardian has always been one of your favorite news sources, stupid Polish jackass. I'm so tired of your shit.

[Merrick]

No, man. They have a car, man, and it runs on water!

[Equine1952]

If you grow a brain and quit pretending that if this happens and that happens and the USA forgets China don’t suck you might win. You are an idiot. Keep posting what ifs, dick nose. You are losing.

[Fury]

Good grief, post like an adult, potty mouth.

[Equine1952]

Thanks I will. Pissoff. Imagine my best British /s. Seriously pissoff.

[desertsolitaire]

I have read frequently (here) that China has many many coal-fried electric power plants and is adding more every month.

[quantim]

"More electric and hybrid vehicles are sold inside China each year than across the rest of the world"

Chinese junk EV's, no thanks. Besides, a fair percentage of Iranian oil is used indirectly to power these things. However, now that the Xiden subsidies have gone away maybe a free market will evolve to better vehicles...that is once our electric grid is upgraded and can handle it and the rest of us don't have to pay to subsidize the usage.

[Rockingham]

Even with abundant oil and gas stores, while the Straits of Hormuz are closed, China will feel considerable economic pain as her export markets decline due to a global decline in manufacturing purchases.