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Europe's Car Market Shifts to Electric as Chinese Brands Gain Ground and Brussels Readies New PHEV Tariffs

The Commission is reported to be preparing duties on China‑made plug‑in hybrids that could match existing BEV anti‑subsidy levies and await member‑state approval in the coming weeks.

Overview

  • ACEA data show electrified vehicles drove May sales growth with battery‑electric, plug‑in hybrid and hybrid registrations together making up more than two‑thirds of new cars and BEVs reaching about a 20% share year‑to‑date.
  • Multiple outlets reported on June 23–24 that the European Commission plans to extend its 2024 anti‑subsidy measures to China‑made PHEVs, with press reports citing possible extra duties that could total roughly 35% on top of the EU’s 10% import tariff though final levels are unconfirmed.
  • Chinese‑owned groups have expanded rapidly in Europe, taking about a 10% share of the combined EU, EFTA and UK market year‑to‑date and posting steep month‑on‑month gains for brands such as BYD, Chery and Leapmotor.
  • The rise of low‑cost Chinese models and stronger EV demand has pressured several established manufacturers, with Ford, Renault and others reporting year‑to‑date drops in registrations while some European marques and Tesla showed modest gains.
  • If Brussels adopts PHEV tariffs they will apply to imports but not to cars built in Europe, which could push makers to shift production to local plants, alter pricing and incentives for buyers, and reshape supply chains over the months ahead.