The European Union is requesting that China voluntarily restricts its exports of hybrid vehicles to the European market. Officials state that if Beijing fails to implement these limits, the EU may introduce special tariffs on these imports to prevent further deindustrialization.
The EU aims to cap the market share of Chinese-manufactured hybrid vehicles at approximately 15 per cent. Currently, these vehicles account for more than one-third of the market. Negotiations regarding these limits are scheduled to take place in Beijing next month.
Imports of Chinese hybrid cars reached a record high in the second quarter of the year. Sales grew from 3 800 units in October 2024 to 50 000 units in July. Currently, these vehicles are subject to a standard import tariff of 10 per cent.
Since October 2024, pure electric vehicles from China have faced additional anti-subsidy tariffs. Depending on the manufacturer, these total duties reach up to 45.3 per cent for SAIC, 28.8 per cent for Geely, and 27 per cent for BYD. This disparity has led manufacturers to shift focus toward hybrid models.
