Chinese EV sales surge to new high in Europe putting tariffs under scrutiny
Imports this year now account for 14% of the market amid claims vehicles are being dumped in the EU and UK Chinese electric car sales have risen across Europe to a record high driven by strong demand and low tariffs in the UK and a surge in buyers in Italy. Against a backdrop of claims that Chinese carmakers are “dumping” state-subsidised vehicles in the EU and UK to gain market share, the…
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) sales have surged to record levels in Europe, accounting for 14% of the market in the first five months of the year, according to Schmidt Automotive Research. The surge in demand and low tariffs in the UK contributed to the growth, with BYD, Chery, SAIC, and Xpeng among the brands targeting European markets.
The UK, without imposing extra levies, became the largest market for Chinese BEVs, accounting for a quarter of total sales. Although Italy contributed a fifth of the total, it was considered an anomaly. However, Chinese EVs may have reached a peak in the market, as they shift focus towards plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which are not subject to EU tariffs.
The share of pure electric models may decline in the next 12 months as manufacturers prioritize PHEVs, which could lead to a decrease in BEV sales. Tesla saw a 60% year-on-year increase in sales in Europe, driven by demand for cheaper Model 3 and Model Y versions.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
