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Chinese EV brands gain record share in Western Europe as tariffs face scrutiny
Chinese battery electric car sales in western Europe rose to 14.2% in the first five months of 2026, with sales up to 35.3% tariff levels still failing to slow the surge.
Chinese electric vehicle sales in Western Europe have hit a record high, intensifying scrutiny of EU and UK tariff policies as policymakers weigh tougher trade measures to protect local manufacturers, the Guardian Business reports.
Schmidt Automotive Research data cited by the outlet shows Chinese brands accounted for 14.2% of electric cars sold across western European markets in the first five months of this year, or one in every seven battery electric vehicles, with 171,800 sales and market share up nearly five percentage points versus the same period in 2025.
The report says the growth has been supported by differences in tariff treatment, with the UK remaining the largest European market for Chinese cars because it has not added extra levies beyond the standard import duty.
According to the outlet, the UK took a quarter of Chinese BEV sales across 18 major Western European markets, while Italy accounted for a fifth but Schmidt called it an anomaly, pointing to Leapmotor using Italy purchase subsidies to push the T03 price down to as low as €5,000 at one point. The outlet also notes the EU currently applies tariffs up to 35.3% on electric cars from some Chinese manufacturers, alongside a standard 10% import duty.