Chinese electric car sales have risen across Europe to a record high driven by strong demand and low tariffs in the UK and a surge in buyers in Italy. Brands including BYD, Chery, SAIC and Xpeng have targeted Europe for exports, as the Chinese industry seeks to dominate the global electric vehicle market. The increase in European sales comes despite EU tariffs of up to 35.3% for electric cars made by some Chinese manufacturers, on top of the standard 10% import duty. The UK is the largest European market for Chinese cars because the government has declined to follow the EU’s lead in imposing extra levies. PHEVs, which combine a polluting petrol engine with a smaller battery, are not yet subject to EU tariffs.