China's EVs hit 15% in Europe

Chinese electric-vehicle brands took more than 15% of Europe’s battery-electric market in April, the highest share yet recorded for the region, according to figures cited by CGTN and other reports. The April total reached 38,281 battery-electric deliveries, more than double the level a year earlier, as BYD and Chery expanded in a market where the European Union has already imposed extra duties on China-built EVs. The result showed continued gains even after Brussels moved to raise import barriers last year. French Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier said this week that Europe must stop being “naive” in the face of trade imbalances with China. ### How did Chinese brands get past the tariff barrier? April data cited by CGTN showed Chinese EV makers crossing the 15% threshold in Europe despite the EU’s countervailing duties on battery-electric vehicles imported from China. Reports citing Dataforce said BYD and Chery helped drive the increase by offering lower-priced models to buyers under pressure from still-high borrowing costs and household budgets. (news.cgtn.com) The European Commission said definitive duties on China-made battery-electric vehicles took effect on October 30, 2024 under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2754. The Commission said the investigation found that China’s EV value chain benefited from subsidies that threatened injury to EU producers. ### Which companies are showing up most clearly in the numbers? (news.cgtn.com) BYD and Chery were named in multiple reports as key contributors to the April increase. The Next Web, citing Dataforce, said Chinese brands doubled deliveries to 38,281 units in April 2026 and took more than 15% of European EV sales. Yahoo Finance, in a syndicated report, also said BYD and Chery helped Chinese brands more than double sales in the month. (trade.ec.europa.eu) Bloomberg’s summary of the April figures also reported that Chinese automakers accounted for more than 15% of Europe’s EV sales for the first time last month. That placed the April result in a broader pattern of rising Chinese brand presence in Europe’s electric-car market. ### What exactly did the EU tariff regime do? The European Commission said the definitive measures were added on top of the EU’s existing 10% car import duty and apply for five years. (thenextweb.com) Euronews reported when the regime took effect in October 2024 that the additional levy could bring total tariffs on some China-made EVs as high as 45.3%, depending on the manufacturer. (bloomberg.com) The tariff structure was meant to counter what Brussels described as unfair subsidization. But the April sales figures indicate that Chinese brands are still gaining buyers in Europe’s battery-electric segment. That conclusion is drawn from the sales data and the Commission’s own description of the policy’s purpose. ### Why is France pushing for a tougher response now? (trade.ec.europa.eu) Nicolas Forissier told Euronews on May 23 that Europe must rethink what he described as a “naive” approach to trade and to the “weaponisation” of economic dependencies. He said China would “not win” by pursuing a trade policy that jeopardised Europe’s industry and market. Forissier’s comments came as the April market-share figures circulated across European media and industry reports. (news.cgtn.com) His remarks did not announce a new EU measure, but they added pressure to an existing debate in Brussels over whether tariffs alone are enough to protect European carmakers while the bloc pushes its green transition. That is an inference based on the timing of his comments and the ongoing EU tariff framework. (euronews.com) ### What should readers watch next? The next set of monthly registration and delivery data from firms such as Dataforce and other market trackers will show whether Chinese brands can hold above 15% through the second quarter. Brussels’ formal policy baseline remains the tariff regime that took effect on October 30, 2024 and is scheduled to stay in place for five years unless the EU changes it. (trade.ec.europa.eu) (euronews.com)