BERLIN, April 16 (Reuters) - Chinese car brands like BYD are gaining traction among German consumers ‌who are increasingly looking to buy electric ‌cars amid rising fuel prices, according to online marketplace data seen ​by Reuters on Thursday.

BYD was one of the fastest-growing brands in Germany in the first quarter of the year, online marketplace Carwow said, citing a 135% ‌rise in purchase ⁠queries for the Chinese EV heavyweight during that period.

The data showed strong interest ⁠in BYD's electric-powered SUVs and the low-cost Dolphin hatchback, which have put pressure on European rivals to ​produce more ​affordable alternatives.

Carwow said Chinese ​brands look set to ‌profit from higher prices at the pump due to the Middle East conflict and rising prices for new cars, with Chinese-owned carmaker MG also seeing a boost on its platform.

"Affordable electric cars with short ‌delivery times are thus becoming ​significantly more attractive — an environment ​in which Chinese ​manufacturers, in particular, are capitalising on their ‌strengths and noticeably gaining ​market share," the ​company said.

Queries for battery-electric vehicles in general rose by around 184% in the first three ​months of 2026 ‌compared to the previous quarter, according to ​the data.

(Reporting by Rachel More and Christina Amann, ​Editing by Friederike Heine)