The UK electric vehicle (EV) market might soon be overwhelmed by inexpensive Chinese imports, raising questions about the implications for consumers and the domestic car industry. China, now producing cheaper EVs, could significantly benefit UK consumers by lowering costs and aiding in achieving net zero emissions targets. However, the potential market flood poses a severe threat to the UK's car industry, which sustains approximately 780,000 jobs. The EU is considering trade remedies, such as additional import duties, to counteract the subsidies Chinese manufacturers receive. The US has already restricted Chinese EVs. The UK's Trade Remedies Authority is poised to investigate unfair pricing but has yet to act. Prices of Chinese EVs in the UK remain high, but this could change as BYD, now the largest EV manufacturer, increases its market presence. The EU's impending duties on Chinese EVs, expected by mid-2024, might shift exports towards the UK, risking local industry unless the UK enacts similar measures. The situation exemplifies the tension between consumer benefits and industrial preservation.
