EU Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles Pose Threat to UK Market, Warns Industry Chief
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The head of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) in the UK has expressed concerns over the European Union's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which could have a significant impact on the British market.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Executive Director, told Anadolu Agency that the duties of up to 38.1% on Chinese EV imports could disrupt the market and harm competition. He noted that while there is no similar investigation underway in the UK, the industry will be closely monitoring the situation.
Hawes pointed out that the UK market has traditionally been open to imports from various countries, including Korea, Japan, and Europe, which have successfully gained significant market shares. He also highlighted that Chinese car brands have a 4.7% market share in the UK, with a nearly 9% share in the electric vehicle segment.
However, he emphasized that the British industry needs to focus on expanding its charging infrastructure to boost competitiveness in the electric vehicle sector. Hawes also stressed that reducing the cost of these vehicles is crucial to making them more accessible to consumers.
The UK is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and Hawes believes that road transport must be decarbonized as part of this effort. He noted that the country's Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme requires 80% of new car sales to have zero emissions by 2030 and all car sales to have zero emissions by 2035.
In related news, Hawes highlighted the importance of free trade agreements for the industry, citing Britain's talks with Canada as an example. He warned that tariffs imposed by Canada on UK-built cars could lead to increased costs for consumers.
According to SMMT data, approximately 315,000 electric vehicles were sold in the UK last year, with a market share of 16.5%.
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