The EU will press ahead with tariffs on China-made electric vehicles, even after Germany and its carmakers rejected them.

The bloc approved tariffs of up to 45% on EVs made in China, defying pleas from some European auto executives who fear retaliation from Beijing.

VW Group CEO Oliver Blume said Chinese automakers should get allowances for investments in Europe instead of punitive tariffs on their electric cars imported into the bloc.

The European Union will press ahead with hefty tariffs on China-made electric vehicles, the EU executive said on Friday, even after the bloc's largest economy Germany rejected them, exposing a rift over its biggest trade row with Beijing in a decade.

The European Union voted on Friday to impose tariffs as high as 45% on electric vehicles from China in a move set to increase trade tensions with Beijing, according to people familiar with the process.

EU countries are expected to confirm Friday hefty tariffs on electric cars made in China, a move dividing the bloc as some states led by Germany fear sparking a trade war with Beijing.The bloc faces a difficult task as it tries to foster its clean tech industry and invest in the green transition without sparking a painful trade war with China.

The head of Volkswagen appealed to the European Union on Thursday to rethink its planned tariffs on electric vehicles from China, saying investment in Europe should be rewarded rather than punished. That was emphasised by Blume in an interview for the Bild am Sonntag,

On October 4, 2024, the European Union officially voted to increase tariff rates on electric cars imported from China. However, not all countries agreed on this issue. The issue of tariffs on electric vehicles from China significantly divided European politicians.

On October 4, 2024, the European Union officially voted to increase tariff rates on electric cars imported from China. However, not all countries were in agreement on this issue. The issue of tariffs on electric vehicles from China significantly divided European politicians.

German carmakers on Saturday warned that consumers could face higher prices after the European Union paved the way for punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Friday's decision could significantly damage Germany's automotive industry,

Big taxes will be imposed on imports of electric vehicles from China to the EU after the majority of member states backed the plans. The move to introduce tariffs aims to protect the European car industry from being undermined by what EU politicians believe are unfair Chinese-state subsidies on its own cars.