China-made electric vehicle (EV) registrations increased 23% in Europe between January and April compared with a year before, despite the threat of higher tariffs on battery-run imports from China, reports the Financial Times. A total of 119,300 Chinese-made EVs were registered in western Europe including the UK in the first four months of 2024, accounting for one in five electric vehicles imported into the region, according to Schmidt Automotive Research, which analyses battery-run car sales in Europe.
“[Carmakers] keep churning out vehicles from China as it gives the best opportunity to make a profit on an electrical vehicle at the moment,” said Matthias Schmidt, founder of the data analysis firm.
The EU has become the market of choice for Chinese exporters, in part because it levies a 10% tariff on EV imports from China. The US imposed a 100% tariff on EVs last month.