Posted on 07 Oct 2024
The European Union member states on Friday voted to impose extra tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, in a move that is likely to draw a reaction from Beijing.
“Today, the European Commission’s proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs,” the EC says in a statement.
However, the commission adds it would continue negotiations with China, Kallanish notes.
“In parallel, the EU and China continue to work hard to explore an alternative solution that would have to be fully WTO-compatible, adequate in addressing the injurious subsidisation established by the commission’s investigation, monitorable and enforceable,” the statement continues.
The vote came after the EC launched an anti-subsidy investigation on China-made battery electric cars last year, saying the cheaper BEVs were “distorting” the EU market with their “artificially low prices.” As such, provisional duties were put in place from July this year. The countervailing tariffs will be up to 35.3%, on top of the existing 10% car import duty.
While it’s unclear how the member states voted, France, Greece, Italy and Poland were reportedly set to vote in favour.
The tariffs were passed a day after German labour union IG Metall and the works councils of major automakers called on Germany to vote against the tariff, calling the move “the wrong approach.”
“EU tariffs on EVs from China have had a mixed impact so far, according to T&E analysis of the EV-Volumes database,” says campaign group Transport & Environment.
“MG had its largest ever drop in BEV market share in Europe, falling from 4.1% share in August 2023 to 2.4% in August 2024, the research shows. BYD continued to expand its EU share though at a slower pace than before, growing from 1.6% in August 2023 to 2.9% BEV market share in the same month this year. Geely increased its market share from 1.3% in August last year to 2% in August 2024,” T&E adds.
Source:Kallanish
