5 days Ago By Luke Chillingsworth
British motorists are enjoying hefty savings of up to £10,000 on Chinese electric cars due to a little-known Brexit benefit. The UK’s decision not to issue extra tariffs on Chinese electric cars is helping consumers with thousands slashed off the total price of new models. The move has driven down prices, making brand-new electric cars affordable to the masses.
The UK has a 10% tariff on all goods imported from China but the European Union has gone further on electric cars. Last year, the European Commission voted to allow extra tariffs, with some brands paying 35% more to sell vehicles on the continent. Chinese car makers were given different tariffs with BYD hit with an extra 17% fee.
Meanwhile, Chinese brand Geely was issued an 18.8% tariff with the SAIC group, which includes Maxus and MG, paying 35.3% more.
Previous analysis from WhatCar? has revealed how similar tariffs could affect prices in the UK with devastating consequences. Identical tariffs here would see the price of BYD’s popular Dolphin model rise from around £26,195 to £31,107. Meanwhile, motorists could be forced to pay almost £10,000 more for an MG4 with estimated fees up from £26,995 to £36,534.
Professor Peter Wells, Professor of Business and Sustainability at Cardiff University, previously warned the move would bring “benefits to consumers”. He told AutoExpress : “The industry has been successful in making this a debate about the future of manufacturing in the EU, UK, North America, etc. rather than about the benefits to consumers and to action against climate change that an acceleration in sales of cheap, small EVs would bring.
” A recent study from AutoTrader found that Chinese electric car brands such as BYD, GWM and Omoda have gained ground in the UK. The marketplace’s Road to 2030 study found four in ten UK buyers are now willing to consider a Chinese EV. Younger road users between 17-34 were the most keen with 57% of individuals interested in the new vehicles.
AutoTrader found the number of electric vehicles below £30,000 has risen from nine to 29 between 2024 and 2025. Ian Plummer, commercial director at AutoTrader, said: “Their ability to offer affordable, high-quality electric vehicles, is winning over the younger drivers who will play a vital role in driving the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.”.
