Electric vehicles (EVs) sold in Europe often cost nearly double their counterparts in China. This price difference highlights a growing gap between the two regions, with European manufacturers advancing more slowly than their Chinese competitors. In the first eight months of 2026, EVs accounted for 21.7% of the European Union market, with 1,641,333 units registered, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). China dominates the production of lithium-ion batteries, controlling much of the supply chain from raw material refining to battery assembly. This control directly affects the final price of electric vehicles. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has noted that the EU relies on China for over 80% of many critical raw materials. These dependencies make it challenging to see a quick drop in European EV prices. In response, Brussels has imposed additional tariffs of 17% to 35.3% on Chinese-made electric vehicles, on top of a base duty of 10%. These tariffs are set to last for five years, as outlined in the implementing regulation (EU) 2024/2754 from October 29, 2024. According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, these taxes have slowed the sales of Chinese electric cars. Some consumers have shifted to plug-in hybrids and traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, which are not affected by the surcharge. In the first half of 2026, the value of Chinese car imports rose by 70%, and China now represents 25% of extra-EU car imports. Despite these measures, the overall trend of increasing Chinese influence in the European market has not reversed. The Commission has provided guidelines for Chinese exporters on price commitments in 2025 and 2026, but has not introduced a specific monitoring system to enforce them. In 2025, the total number of vehicles sold in Europe was still about 3 million less than in 2019, according to the ACEA. The Chinese EV market has expanded beyond small city cars. Out of 63 small electric models available in Europe, 22 are made in China, and 33 are produced outside the EU. Mid-sized SUVs and luxury models have also entered the market, with more than 400 rechargeable models available, including both fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The key challenge for the EU remains the development of a robust charging infrastructure. As of June 2026, the EU had 41.6 gigawatts of public charging capacity, with around 195,000 stations and 1.2 million charging points. This is still far from the target of 3.5 million charging points by 2030. Some Chinese manufacturers have been working on fast-charging technology and battery swapping for years, while Europe continues to debate technical standards and funding for its infrastructure. The real test will be whether the tariffs and price commitments will slow the progress of Chinese manufacturers without hindering the broader adoption of electric vehicles. So far, the data does not suggest that this is happening.