The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) calls for a three-year postponement to restrictive rules on EU-UK electric vehicle trade, set to come into force in six months. Otherwise, tariffs could total € 4,3 billion, potentially reducing electric vehicle production by some 480 000 units, according to ACEA.

Goods exported under EU free-trade agreements must comply with ‘rules of origin’ to obtain tariff preferences. The current transitional rules in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) allow batteries assembled in Europe to qualify for European origin.

However, from 1 January 2024, these rules will become much more restrictive, requiring all battery parts, as well as some critical battery material, to be produced in either the EU or the UK to qualify for tariff-free trade.

Not ready yet

“Europe has not yet established a secure and reliable battery supply chain that can cater to these more restrictive rules right now,” stated ACEA’s Director General, Sigrid de Vries. “That is why we ask the European Commission to extend the current phase-in period by three years.”

“There has been massive investment in the European battery supply chain, but time is needed to build up the required capacity. In the meantime, vehicle manufacturers must rely on battery cells or materials imported from Asia,” de Vries added.

According to data from ACEA members, the 10% tariff on electric vehicles would cost nearly €4.3 billion over the three-year period between 2024 and 2026. This would be detrimental not only to the EU auto industry but also to the European economy, says ACEA.

Chinese competition

“As we face increasing competitive pressures from abroad, the application of these rules would have severe consequences for electric vehicle manufacturing in Europe at the very time when we should be massively ramping up sales and production,” warns de Vries.

The UK is the EU auto industry’s number one export market, accounting for almost a quarter of electric vehicle exports. As tariffs would have a negative impact on sales in this crucial market, the industry could potentially be forced to cut electric vehicle production in the EU by up to 480 000 units, the equivalent output of two average-sized automobile factories.

Chinese-made electric vehicles already make up one-third of the UK market, despite a 10% customs duty. If European manufacturers are forced to pay the same entry tariff, they will clearly lose ground to third-country competition.

“Failure to act now will hamper our ability to remain competitive on the global electric vehicle market and lead to lost market share, which will be extremely difficult to regain,” de Vries concludes.