By Tuba Ongun
The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it will impose additional customs duties of up to 38.1% on electric vehicles imported from China beginning July 4.
The investigation, which began last year, has provisionally concluded that Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEV) benefit from "unfair subsidies," resulting in a competitive gap.
The first provisional decision sets individual duties for BYD at 17.4%, Geely at 20%, and SAIC at 38.1%.
Other Chinese producers not sampled by the commission will be subject to a duty rate of 21%, while all other producers, which did not cooperate in the investigation will be subject to residual duty of 38.1%.
Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice-president for an economy that works for people, and trade commissioner, said the move aims not to close the EU market to Chinese EVs, but to ensure fair competition.