BRUSSELS CAPS CHINESE HYBRID VEHICLE IMPORTS AT 350,000 A YEAR

BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 12 /SRNA–Reuters/ - The European Union has reached an agreement to limit imports of hybrid cars from China to 350,000 vehicles a year, with the quota increasing by six per cent annually, an unnamed European Commission official said.

The official added that the restriction was expected to take effect on December 1 and remain in force for four years.

The quota applies to conventional hybrid electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be charged by connecting them to the electricity grid.

The EU called for the restriction to be introduced urgently following a sharp increase in sales of hybrid vehicles from China. As hybrids escaped the high tariffs the EU imposed on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, Chinese manufacturers significantly redirected their exports towards hybrid-powered models.

Before the agreement was reached, exports of hybrid vehicles from China to the EU were expected to reach 800,000 vehicles next year.