- Chinese EV firms like BYD have been effectively shut out of the US thanks to high tariffs.
- Many of them sell their electric vehicles in Europe, despite the EU introducing its own tariffs.
- Here are some Chinese EVs drivers can buy in Europe — but not in the US.
US tourists who visited Europe this summer may have spotted some unfamiliar EVs on the road — some of which will have been built in China.
China's electric vehicle giants were effectively shut out of the US in May, when the government imposed crippling tariffs on China-based EV companies amid growing geopolitical tensions.
The tariffs, designed to prevent the US auto market from being flooded with cheap Chinese EVs, have made it virtually impossible for companies like BYD to export their EVs stateside.
The European Union set out its own trade restrictions on China's Tesla rivals in June — but unlike in the US, many have a sizable presence in the European market.
Here are some of the Chinese electric vehicles that European drivers can buy right now but US drivers can't:
BYD
BYD is expanding rapidly in Europe, and plans are underway to build two factories in Hungary and Turkey in the coming years.
The Warren Buffett-backed automaker sells six EV models in Europe — from the Dolphin Hatchback, which costs from €32,990 ($36,400), to the Han sedan, which starts at €69,000 ($76,100) in Germany.
Despite the EU imposing a 17% import tariff on BYD in August, the company isn't slowing down. As it competes with Tesla worldwide, it plans to bring its $10,000 Seagull EV to Europe in 2025.
Nio
Chinese EV brand Nio is known in its home country for its battery swapping stations, designed to prevent long charging times by removing flat batteries and replacing them with fully charged ones.
Like BYD, Nio has been expanding in Europe, establishing battery swap stations across the continent and selling six models as of May 2024.
That includes the stylish ET7, which Nio says comes with an AI-powered suspension and an estimated 1,000km (620 mile) range.
Xpeng
Xpeng is known for its quirky EV models, including a flying car.
In Europe, the automaker sells its G9, G6, and P7 models in various markets, including Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
Zeekr
Chinese manufacturer Zeekr is one of many companies vying to take on Tesla in China. It has two models available in parts of Europe.
Both the Zeekr X and the Zeekr 001 are luxury EVs priced between 42,490 euros and 59,490 euros ($46,800 to $65,600) in the Netherlands. The Zeekr 001 boasts an estimated 620km (385 miles) of range and 0 to 60 mile acceleration in 3.8 seconds.
Like many other Chinese automakers, Zeekr faces EU's tariffs. CEO Andy An told Bloomberg that the company may move production to Europe in the coming years as a result.
MG
Historic British car brand MG is owned by one of China's largest automakers, SAIC Motor.
Since it came under SAIC Motor's control, MG has moved some of its vehicle production to China and produced a series of electric models, including the MG4.
This electric hatchback starts at £26,995 ($35,300) in the UK, making it £12,995 ($17,000) cheaper than Tesla's least expensive offering in the country.
MG also recently launched the Cyberster, a stylish electric roadster that is available for preorder in the UK for £54,995 ($72,000).
As of yet, there's no sign of the MG4 or the Cyberster coming to the US — although MG is planning to build a manufacturing plant in Mexico, a move some US lawmakers have warned could provide Chinese manufacturers with a "backdoor" to the US market.