In Europe, electric vehicles made in China are becoming more common and make up a significant part of the EV market. According to a document published by Transport and Environment, a non-governmental organization that works to protect environmentally friendly transport, approximately 19.5% of electric vehicles sold in the European Union last year were made in China. This trend is expected to continue, with Chinese-made EVs expected to account for 25% of the EU EV market share this year.
The main players importing Chinese-made EVs into the EU include Tesla and Dacia, as well as Chinese carmakers such as BYD. In recent years, the rate of Chinese EV exports to the EU has grown rapidly, from just 0.4% of the EV market in 2019 to 7.9% in 2021.
While Chinese-made EVs are often offered at slightly lower prices than their European counterparts, this reliance on imported vehicles poses challenges for the EU. It drives capital out of Europe and potentially hinders innovation and employment opportunities in the local EV industry.
To deal with these problems, "Transport and Environment" proposes to increase import duties on electric cars made in China. The EU currently imposes a 10% import duty, but raising it to 25% could have a positive long-term effect. This tariff increase will encourage Chinese companies to set up factories in Europe, thereby creating jobs and boosting local cleantech supply chains.
With the implementation of these measures, the EU aims to accelerate the localization of electric vehicle supply chains and create a regulatory framework conducive to the growth of the EU-made electric vehicle market.
Ultimately, the aim is to support the expansion of a wider and more affordable range of EVs produced in the EU, while maintaining healthy competition in the automotive industry.