A new wave of Chinese Electric Cars in Europe is shaking up the global auto industry. Leading the charge is BYD’s compact electric car, the Seagull rebranded as the Dolphin Surf in Europe, now launching in the UK with a surprisingly low price of around £18,000. Already a hit in China since 2023, this stylish urban car offers advanced features at a cost well below most Western competitors.
BYD, now the world’s top electric car manufacturer after surpassing Tesla in 2024, is expanding aggressively across Europe. Its growing presence, along with other Chinese brands like Nio, Zeekr, and Xpeng, is challenging legacy names such as Ford and Volkswagen. Chinese EV makers are pushing into the market with everything from small city cars to high-end performance vehicles like the Yangwang U9.
Experts like Professor David Bailey of Birmingham Business School warn that the competitive advantage China holds thanks to economies of scale, cheaper labor, and strong battery tech poses a real threat to European automakers. “Unless they wake up very quickly and catch up, they could be wiped out,” Bailey said.
Policy Pushback and Industry Response
The dominance of Chinese Electric Cars in Europe is rooted in years of rapid development and strategic state support. The 2015 “Made in China 2025” plan targeted electric vehicles as a key industry, fueling companies like BYD, SAIC (owners of MG), and Geely (owners of Volvo and Lotus) to rise quickly. Low production costs, a tightly integrated supply chain, and government subsidies allowed Chinese brands to expand abroad, especially as Europe moved to phase out petrol and diesel cars.
However, fears of unfair competition have triggered strong reactions. The U.S. recently raised tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100%, and the EU followed with up to 35.3% in extra duties. While China calls these moves “naked protectionism,” European manufacturers like Renault are fighting back with their own innovations.
Renault, for instance, transformed its Douai factory into a modern EV hub, producing the new Renault 5 E-Tech, an electric tribute to its 1970s classic. Using efficient, high-tech assembly methods and drawing on its heritage, Renault aims to compete not just on price, but on identity and appeal.
Security Fears and the Road Ahead
Despite the benefits of affordable Chinese Electric Cars in Europe, concerns about cybersecurity and espionage linger. Many modern vehicles rely on connected technologies, and experts fear that Chinese-made systems could be exploited for spying or sabotage. British intelligence has reportedly restricted the use of Chinese EVs in sensitive areas, and former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove even warned that such tech could be used to “immobilize London.”
Chinese authorities have dismissed these concerns as baseless, with the Chinese embassy stating that there’s “no credible evidence” of security threats. Experts like Joseph Jarnecki from RUSI stress that while caution is necessary, labeling all Chinese-made tech as dangerous risks stokes unnecessary fear.
The reality, as industry leaders point out, is that Chinese technology is already deeply embedded in global supply chains. Whether or not a car is made in China, it likely contains Chinese components. With demand for electric cars rising worldwide, Chinese firms are likely to remain key players, both admired for innovation and scrutinized for the risks they might bring.
