UK boom in cheap Chinese electric cars could come to end under possible EU-linked rule change

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Brits have rushed to buy Chinese made electric cars from brands like BYD, Jaecoo and MG, but prices could be driven up by efforts reset relations with the EU

One in five new cars bought by Brits last month were Chinese - but prices could be set to rise.

Money conscious motorists have flocked to snap-up electric cars from China, given they are often a lot cheaper than rivals on offer from Western car makers. Of the 152,730 new cars registered in the UK last month, more than 32,000 were from Chinese brands such as BYD, Jaecoo and MG.

The Jaecoo 7 was Britain’s best selling model, with three of the top 10 were Chinese, according to figures from trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). China accounted for an event bigger chunk of the just over 48,800 electric cars sold in Britain last month.

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Last week saw Xpeng, among almost a dozen Chinese makers already in the UK, announce plans to launch a Tesla-challenging model costing just under £33,000, one of five new models over the next 12 months. It also aims to open around 100 showrooms and service locations nationwide next year. Claes Persson, Xpeng’s UK boss, said: “We are here to build lasting relationships and earn the trust of British customers.”

Yet the march of the Chinese could be thwarted by possible tariffs on its cars as a result of PM Andy Burnham’s desire for the UK to be part of the EU’s “Made in Europe” scheme. The scheme is designed to help European car manufacturers compete against low-cost Chinese electric vehicles.

It would mean raising the UK’s tariff from 10% to as much as 45%. For a Chinese electric vehicle priced at £39,600 - including VAT - the final price could rise to £52,200. At the same time, there is wrangling over watering down a legal requirement for carmakers to ensure that 80% of the vehicles they sell in 2030 are electric.

Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, is said to want to slash the so-called…

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