China is clawing a greater share of the electric vehicle market away from European rivals as new figures suggest a quarter of EVs sold within the EU this year will come from the country. 

Almost a fifth of electric vehicles sold in Europe last year were made in China and this is on track to reach 25pc this year, according to new analysis by Transport & Environment (T&E).

While Chinese imports into Europe have largely been Tesla, Dacia and BMW cars produced there, it is projected that Chinese brands such as BYD could secure 11pc of the European EV market this year and 20pc in 2027.

The forecast comes as the EU is considering import tariffs to counter subsidies for China’s EV industry.

Julia Poliscanova, senior director at T&E, said: “Tariffs will force carmakers to localise EV production in Europe, and that’s a good thing because we want these jobs and skills. 

“But tariffs won’t shield legacy carmakers for long. Chinese companies will build factories in Europe and when that happens our car industry needs to be ready.”

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