According to Bloomberg, customs data shows that in September this year, Chinese automotive brands exported 60,517 electric vehicles to the 27 EU countries, a year-on-year increase of 61%, marking the second highest level on record.
The previous peak in exports occurred in October 2023, when 67,000 units were exported, coinciding with the EU's official announcement of an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles made in China.
On October 4, EU member states voted to impose additional import tariffs of up to 35% on Chinese electric vehicles, with support from ten countries, including France, Italy, and Poland. Currently, while China and the EU are still negotiating alternative solutions to the tariffs, these duties are expected to take effect by the end of October.
The surge in exports of Chinese electric vehicles in September indicates that Chinese manufacturers are eager to avoid the impending tariffs. However, even if the tariffs come into effect, they are not expected to deter Chinese automakers from entering the European market. Chinese cars typically sell for a higher price overseas than domestically, yet they remain cheaper than those of local European manufacturers.
To mitigate the impact of the tariffs, some car companies are already seeking to localize production in Europe. BYD plans to manufacture vehicles in Hungary and Turkey, while XPeng and Geely's high-end electric vehicle brand Zeekr have also expressed intentions to consider local production.
