Western carmakers have been paring back their electric-vehicle (EV) ambitions in response to weaker regulation and demand, leaving buyers wondering whether their next vehicle would come with a plug after all. Now, these assumptions have been jolted by another unexpected shift: the surge in petrol prices triggered by war in the Middle East.Previous energy shocks have left their mark on the car industry, affecting both the volume and type of vehicles sold, as well as how much consumers can pay.The repercussions this time depend on how long the fighting lasts and when the Strait of Hormuz reopens. Carmakers able to…