More European Tariffs on China-made EVs

The European Union (EU) has increased tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China to quell anti-competitive behaviour. This is in addition to the 10% duty already in place.

According to the BBC, an EU market probe believed that OEM manufacturers in China were being subsidised to export electric vehicles to Europe, and brands that didn’t comply with the investigation were penalised the most. 

The BBC says the tariffs apply to Chinese brands such as SAIC-Motor (MG), BYD, Geely (Volvo Cars), and other manufacturers in China, such as Tesla.

SAIC-Motor (MG) has been hit the hardest, facing the highest tariff of 37.6%. 

China-made Volvo electric vehicles landing in the EU will incur an additional 19.9% tariff, and BYD will pay an additional 17.4% on the cars it ships to the EU from China. 

Other European brands operating factories in China or through joint ventures will also have to pay more to bring electric vehicles into the EU.

Those who cooperated with Brussels will face an extra duty of 20.8%, while those EU investigators deemed non-cooperative will pay the higher tariff of 37.6%.

Tesla, the biggest exporter of electric vehicles from China to Europe, has asked for an individually calculated rate, which EU officials will determine at the end of the investigation.

It has posted a notice on some of its European websites that prices for its Shanghai-made Model 3 could increase due to the new tariffs.