China-made electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for 14.2% of western European sales in the first five months of 2026, according to Schmidt Automotive Research, rising despite the EU's steep tariffs. The figure showed that protectionist trade barriers can only serve as short-lived obstacles, as consumers' purchasing choices ultimately hinge on product competitiveness and China's EV strengths will support automakers' long-term growth, Chinese experts said. The 171,800 EVs sold represented an increase in market share of 5.0 percentage points from one year earlier. The increase in European sales came despite EU tariffs of up to 35.3% for EVs made by some Chinese manufacturers, on top of the standard 10% import duty. The UK is the largest European market for Chinese cars because London has declined to follow the EU's lead in imposing more levies. The UK accounted for one-quarter of Chinese EV sales in western Europe.
Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), told the Global Times that the rise showed that protectionist trade policies have failed to contain Chinese automakers' overseas expansion. Chinese EVs enjoy “a generational edge” over Europe's legacy carmakers. Their overall product strength is the primary reason for their popularity among European buyers, Cui Dongshu said. Volatile global oil prices have pushed up driving costs throughout Europe, fueling demand for affordable EVs, a need that is met well by affordable Chinese made models. Meanwhile, the gradual return of European EV purchase subsidies has lowered barriers and lifted total EV sales, which has in turn worked to the advantage of Chinese exporters, Cui Dongshu said. Chinese brands' market share expanded in Europe in the first half of 2026, driven by local subsidies and higher oil prices, Fitch Ratings said in a report sent to the Global Times. The combined market share of leading Chinese brands in the EU, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and UK rose to 11% in the first half, up from 7% a year earlier. The largest Chinese players, Geely Group (including Volvo Car) and SAIC Motor, expanded steadily despite the tariffs. The main drivers of market share gains were BYD, Chery and Leap Motor, according to Fitch Ratings.
Cui Dongshu noted that China's EV edge comes from its full-fledged industrial ecosystem. Officials from China's Ministry of Commerce told a press conference on July 28 that China boasts a complete, high-efficiency EV industrial chain covering raw materials, auto parts, finished cars and production equipment, with industry clusters enabling rapid component supplies. China has now ranked first globally in NEV sales for 11 consecutive years, the Global Times reports.
New energy vehicles accounted for more than 60% of China’s new vehicle sales for the first time in July, consolidating the segment’s position as the main growth engine of the country’s auto industry. NEV output reached 1.576 million units last month, up 26.8% year-on-year, while sales rose 23.7% to 1.561 million units.
