China vs. Europe: The gap is widening in the electric vehicle market

China's electric vehicle market far outstrips that of Europe, revealing a growing divergence in the adoption of electromobility and highlighting the challenges Europe faces in catching up.

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BYD factory, China

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China continues to reinforce its dominance of the global electric vehicle market.
In July 2024, the market share of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in China exceeded 50%, in stark contrast to the 20.5% achieved in Europe in June. This momentum reflects a well-orchestrated national strategy that has enabled China to become the undisputed leader in electromobility.
Massive support from the Chinese government, combined with a well-established local battery industry, has enabled manufacturers like BYD to offer vehicles at competitive prices, making electric vehicles accessible to a large proportion of the population.
In Europe, the transition to electric is hampered by a number of obstacles, including persistently high costs and a reliance on subsidies to stimulate demand.
The end of purchase subsidies in Germany, for example, led to a sharp drop in electric vehicle sales, illustrating the vulnerability of the European market to increasingly fierce competition.

European response and future challenges

Faced with the rapid expansion of Chinese exports, the European Union reacted in July 2024 by imposing additional customs duties on electric vehicle imports from China, reaching up to 38%.
This measure is designed to protect Europe’s ailing automotive industry from a Chinese supply that enjoys a decisive cost advantage thanks to large-scale domestic battery production.
However, this protectionist response alone will not suffice.
European automakers must quickly revise their strategy, developing more affordable models tailored to the needs of the local market.
Initiatives such as the imminent launch of the Renault 5 and Citroën ë-C3 at more competitive prices testify to this need for innovation to remain relevant in the market.
The gap between China and Europe in the field of electromobility continues to widen, and the challenges for the European industry are many.
The Chinese market, having reached a level of maturity, is moving towards a phase where supply and demand naturally balance out, without the need for massive subsidies.
On the other hand, Europe still needs to overcome structural obstacles and accelerate its transition to more efficient and economically viable power generation if it is to catch up.

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Toyota launches production of its first electric vehicle in Europe at its Kolin plant in the Czech Republic, supported by a €680mn investment, including €64mn in public funding.
The Canadian government invests CAD22.7mn ($16.7mn) in eight projects to strengthen the electric vehicle charging network in British Columbia.
Ireland presents an SAF roadmap structured around four pillars, projecting 88,000 tons in 2030 and 318,000 tons in 2035, aligned with ReFuelEU and European support, while Aer Lingus and Ryanair set usage targets.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure investments are expected to hit $300 billion by 2040, driven by a 12.3% annual increase in global charging port deployments.
The Japanese group TDK’s venture capital fund supports Ultraviolette, an Indian electric motorcycle manufacturer, to help it scale up in a domestic market estimated at over $50 billion within ten years.
U Power announces the signing of a letter of intent to supply 300 battery-swapping compatible electric vehicles in partnership with a Hong Kong-based technology manufacturer, marking a major milestone for intelligent commercial mobility.
According to Ember, only 3% of India’s wind and solar targets for 2032 would be sufficient to cover the entire electric vehicle charging demand, provided appropriate measures are taken for grid management and charging infrastructure.
TotalEnergies holds 23% of the high-power charging market on French motorways, according to data published by Gireve, with more than 1,800 active points across 265 service stations.
The British government is mobilising USD845mn to subsidise electric-car purchases, easing pressure on an industry hit by US tariffs and preparing for the 2030 ban on internal-combustion engines.
Octopus Energy’s Electroverse platform surpasses one million public electric vehicle charging points, strengthening its international presence with a subscription-free model available in 40 countries through a single payment card.
Belgian marine constructor DEME floated its second giant wind-turbine installation vessel, Norse Energi, at China’s CIMC Raffles yard, a key step in an investment programme aimed at meeting growing offshore lifting demand.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation is withdrawing strict fuel economy standards adopted under Biden, citing overreach in legal authority regarding the integration of electric vehicles into regulatory calculations for automakers.
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency is pursuing Gensol for a total default of over Rs 7.28 billion ($90.91mn), now targeting its electric vehicle leasing business.
The International Energy Agency expects electric vehicles to cut oil demand by 5 million barrels per day by 2030, down from a previous estimate of 6 million, citing economic and trade uncertainties.
Adani Enterprises has launched a hydrogen-powered truck at a public mine in Chhattisgarh, marking a first in India for heavy transport in the mining sector.
Shipbuilder Incat has unveiled a 130-metre electric catamaran designed for Buquebus, intended to connect Montevideo to Buenos Aires with a capacity of 2,100 passengers.
Ferrari unveiled on April 29 the 296 Speciale, a lighter and optimised version of the 296 GTB, featuring an 880 hp hybrid powertrain and aerodynamic innovations inspired by racing.

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