Overview

• Since October 2024, the EU has levied supplementary anti-subsidy duties of up to about 45% on China-built battery-electric cars, with maker-specific rates such as 17.0% for BYD and 35.3% for SAIC/MG on top of the 10% base tariff.
• Chinese brands have redirected exports to models outside the duty regime, lifting plug-in hybrid registrations to about 33,000 in H1 2025 — up 364% year on year — with BYD around 20,000 and Lynk & Co roughly 4,000.
• Analysts highlight aggressive pricing on plug-in hybrids, citing examples like the MG HS starting near €28,000 versus about €40,000 for a comparable VW Tiguan, and warn of a looming price battle for European rivals.
• EU officials acknowledge the gap in the tariff rules but have not extended duties to plug-in hybrids because doing so would require a new investigation, while MEPs including Michael Bloss urge broader measures.
• Chinese automakers are also localizing to reduce tariff exposure, with BYD building plants in Hungary and Turkey, as European firms affected by the BEV duties — including BMW — press legal challenges.