China files lawsuit with World Trade Organization against US, citing ‘discriminatory policies’ for EVs in the IRA
China has filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), claiming its subsidy policies discriminate against foreign automakers and disrupt the global goal of expediting EV adoption while distorting fair competition. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce spoke to reporters and shared the details behind the filing.
Suppose you’ve read any of our stories covering the EV sector in China; it’s hard to argue that the country is hands down the global leader in technology and adoption. Having dove head first into developing and implementing New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) well before more legacy automakers in the US and Europe, China has been able to deliver EVs across all segments that are now highly affordable.
Much of that success came from subsidies from the Chinese government for automakers developing the technology and local consumers adopting it, which has worked quite well. Having a lead on the rest of the global market, we’ve seen Chinese automakers expand the reach of their portfolios to new markets across Asia, Europe, and South America.
The response has been a mixed bag so far. Brand recognition and trust remain a massive hurdle for Chinese brands, especially in Europe, where companies like Volkswagen AG and Mercedes still have a significant foothold. However, it’s hard not to be enticed by the range, performance, and, in many cases, luxury of EVs making their way overseas from automakers like NIO, XPeng, and BYD. Still, some governments in the EU are weary of Chinese EVs entering local markets and are trying to slow things down with tariffs.
One market these Chinese brands have yet to touch is the US, whose own local automakers (aside from trailblazers like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid), are backtracking on EV commitments, leaving a huge gap for EVs made in China to fill. However, the Inflation Reduction Act signed by the Biden Administration promotes local manufacturing – great for the US economy long-term as automakers set up production facilities in North America , but frustrating to some right now if you already have quality products on sale.
Whether US customers opt for EVs made in China is tough to say, but the country believes its products can help expedite adoption and tackle climate change more quickly… as long as the US government shares some of those subsidies that currently only apply to a mere handful of vehicles.
China calls US EV subsidies unfair to fight climate change
China has officially filed a complaint to the World Trade Organization targeting the US’ Inflation Reduction Act, and a spokesperson for the country’s Ministry of Commerce spoke to reporters about the lawsuit and why it feels it was necessary at this point.
China filed a dispute settlement mechanism with the WTO on March 26, 2024, specifically targeting EV vehicle subsidies and other measures enacted into law in the US under the Inflation Reduction Act. Here’s the official statement:
In the name of ‘coping with climate change’ and ‘low-carbon environmental protection,’ the United States introduced the ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ and its implementation details, using products from specific regions such as the United States as a prerequisite for subsidies, and formulated discriminatory subsidy policies for new energy vehicles, etc., and included China. The exclusion of products from other WTO members has distorted fair competition, seriously disrupted the global new energy vehicle industry chain and supply chain, and violated WTO rules such as national treatment and most-favored-nation treatment. China firmly opposes this.
Furthermore, the spokesperson explained that as part of the filing with the WTO, China is imploring the US to play fair and follow the organization’s trade rules, citing the need for more EVs more quickly to battle the ever-looming issue of climate change. Per the report:
China firmly defends the rules-based multilateral trading system and respects the legitimate rights of WTO members to implement industrial subsidies within the framework of rules and promote their own economic and social development. We urge the United States to abide by WTO rules, respect the development trend of the global new energy vehicle industry, promptly correct discriminatory industrial policies, and maintain the stability of the global new energy vehicle industry chain and supply chain.
What do we think? Should EVs made in China be allowed in the US without hefty tariffs? What if those brands build them in North America?
Electrek’s take
Chinese EVs are a very polarizing topic in the global industry. I cover the beat closely, from new models launching seemingly every day overseas, to the expansions to new markets by some of the more prominent brands looking to become global household names, alongside the likes of Tesla and BMW.
I can understand why people, especially governments, might oppose the competition, but it’s hard to justify depriving consumers of Chinese EVs when other automakers aren’t delivering. Even worse, many are backtracking on their plans to deliver “x” amount of EVs by the end of the decade.
I genuinely support the IRA and want to see more local EV builds from all automakers, limit supply chains, create more jobs, and relinquish dependency on other countries for materials and other components. The IRA should do that, but it will take time as all these foreign automakers scramble to move EV and battery production to the continent to become compliant.
At the same time, the main goal is not to sell more cool cars to people but to reduce the number of combustion vehicles on roads around the globe as quickly as possible. To do that, EVs made in China are an incredible option that deserves consideration, whether in the US, Europe, or elsewhere.
China is currently selling compact EVs that cost the equivalent of $14,000. I implore you to find a brand new BEV in the US for under $30,000, even $40,000. Why not at least try to work together to bring affordable EVs to the masses? Even if it merely fills the market gap for the next 5-6 years while the rest of the industry catches up, consumers, and more importantly, mother nature, could benefit.
Don’t get it twisted; I’m not pro-China. I want to see US consumers buying EVs from all automakers that give back to the US economy. Still, it’s hard to argue that the US needs to block out quality EVs made in China that are available to drive today when its local automakers are giving us far too few products to consider, especially those not in the price range for many consumers.
From the perspective of mere technology and scaled production enabling affordability, China is hands down the global leader, and it would be nice if US consumers could be able to take advantage of at least some of those products because many of them are simply better than what legacy automakers are putting out today. After all, China had a head start.
I know global trade is a lot more complicated than what I’m suggesting, and it can’t all be singing “kumbaya” around the fire. Still, I can daydream about a future in which trade talks focus on the environment and EV adoption, where there’s a way brands in China can sell their EVs in the US while stimulating both economies. That’s more realistically more of a pipe dream, though.
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Rivian (RIVN) had the best-selling electric van in the US last year, topping Ford for the title. The electric delivery van (EDV) is rolling out across the US through its partnership with Amazon, but Rivian is expanding with new customers.
Rivian EDV was the best-selling electric van in the US
With over 51,500 electric vehicles delivered in 2024, Rivian beat expectations. Although it was only slightly higher than the 50,122 delivered in 2023, things picked up in the second half of the year.
Rivian shut down its manufacturing plant in Normal, IL, last April to introduce new upgrades designed to cut costs and increase efficiency.
To make matters worse, Rivian had to temporarily pause electric van production last summer due to a part shortage.
After releasing fourth quarter and full-year 2024 delivery and production figures in early January, Rivian said, “The previously discussed shortage of a shared component on the R1 and RCV platforms is no longer a constraint.”
New Kelley Blue Book estimates show that Rivian outpaced Ford with America’s best-selling electric van in 2024.
| Q4 2024 sales | YOY | Full-year 2024 sales | YOY | |
| Rivian EDV | 4,397 | +84.1% | 13,423 | +65.9% |
| Ford E-Transit | 3,354 | +56.5% | 12,610 | +64.4% |
Rivian sold 13,423 electric vans in the US last year, up 67% from 2023. In comparison, Ford sold 12,610 E-Transit vans in the US in 2024. In the fourth quarter, Rivian outpaced Ford, with nearly 4,400 EDVs sold compared to 3,354 E-Transit sales.
The accomplishment comes despite Ford introducing the updated E-Transit last March with a bigger battery and faster charging. In October, the 2025 E-Transit hit the market with the same price as “comparable gas Transit models,” according to Ford, starting at $51,000.
Rivian has already secured a commitment from Amazon for up to 100,000 EDVs, but it also offers its commercial van (RCV), which is designed for other companies.
Over the past few weeks, Rivian electric vans with different brandings have been spotted testing, including logistics giant DHL.
As the Rivian scales production, its R1S electric SUV was also the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year.
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A young EV startup called TELO Trucks has announced a partnership with solar EV developer Aptera to utilize the latter’s sustainable technology on its flagship vehicle, the MT1 compact pickup. Customers who pre-order a TELO electric truck will be able to choose from three Aptera solar panel configurations, helping boost the vehicle’s range while reducing grid dependency—as long as these BEVs get made.
TELO Trucks was founded by three gentlemen with various backgrounds in automotive technologies and creative design, including autonomy and ADAS at National Instruments and Roadster development during Tesla’s early days.
The startup launched its flagship MT1 compact electric pickup truck in June of 2023, which looks like an exciting exercise in space optimization. The MT1 features the bed capacity and crew cabin of a standard pickup truck within an impressively shortened vehicle length of 152 inches. As you can see in TELO’s image below, the MT1 offers the same interior cabin space and bed length as a Toyota Tacoma in the footprint of a MINI Cooper.
Since its unveiling, TELO says it has garnered over 4,550 pre-orders of the MT1, which is currently available in single and dual motors configurations, and the option for a long-range battery pack that promises a range upwards of 350 miles.
Soon, TELO will offer early customers additional options in its truck configurator – solar panels from Aptera Motors.
TELO to offer Aptera solar panels on its truck pre-orders
Aptera shared a blog post outlining the details of its new collaboration with TELO Trucks, which entails integrating solar panels of varying configurations into the MT1s that remain in development at this point. The partnership will enable TELO to offer pre-order customers the option to add up to three Aptera solar panel kits to their truck configuration:
- Rooftop Truck Cab Solar Paneling – Integrated panels over the cab maximize daily energy generation.
- Tonneau Truck Bed Cover Solar Paneling – A solar-equipped bed cover adds power while preserving storage versatility.
- Camper Shell Solar Paneling – Panels extending from the cab over the bed increase charging capacity and storage options.
Aptera says its proprietary solar panels can generate up to 200 watts when exposed to peak sunlight, translating to about 1 to 2 kWh of free energy from the sun per day, depending on the location of the vehicle and the given season. This partnership news follows a successful showing from the solar EV startup at CES 2025 in Las Vegas as it continues to trudge forward in hopes of reaching scaled SEV production.
Although Aptera’s flagship solar EV is further down the development path than the TELO truck, both are trying to pave a new path in sustainable mobility and have paired up in hopes of continuing that uphill battle together. Per Aptera co-founder and co-CEO Steve Fambro:
Our unique curved solar cell design makes it the perfect application to propel automotive utility further than ever before. Together with TELO, we’re harnessing the power of the sun to make life off the grid a reality for everyone by putting the sun to work for them.
TELO and Aptera shared that the three solar panel options outlined above will become available on MT1 truck pre-orders later this year. TELO says its first fully realized drivable truck prototype is being assembled now by Aria Group, so hopefully, we can move on from renderings and see some bonafide production-intent solar electric trucks soon. TELO co-founder and CEO Jason Marks also spoke:
Whether buyers are looking for a commuter vehicle, a safer, more sustainable option to serve their family’s needs, a rugged, dependable pickup truck for outdoor adventuring, or a highly-functional fleet & vehicle that increases their business’s efficiency, TELO continues to be a first-in-class automotive option to satisfy the many needs of car buyers.
For now, you can reserve a TELO MT1 for $152 – a nod to the overall length of the stubby pickup.
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A group of Oklahoma solar farms collectively generating a whopping 724 megawatts (MW) will power Google’s data center operations and artificial intelligence (AI) with long-term power purchase agreements.
Leeward Renewable Energy announced that the solar farms are strategically sited to support Google’s operations and bolster Oklahoma’s grid.
Construction has begun on the 372-MW Mayes County Solar Portfolio, located within a mile of Google’s data center in Pryor, Oklahoma, northeast of Tulsa. Together with the 152.5 MW Twelvemile Solar Project 1 & 2 and the 200 MW Twelvemile 3 Solar Project in southern Oklahoma, the projects total 724 MW of solar capacity.
The Mayes County Solar portfolio is capable of powering the equivalent of over 865,000 homes annually and avoiding over 3.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions over the term of the power purchase agreement.
Leeward Renewable Energy purchased the Mayes County Solar Portfolio earlier this year from Red River Renewable Energy. The energy generated by the solar portfolio is delivered to Oklahoma’s largest utility, Grand River Dam Authority, which will power Google’s data center with clean energy.
The Mayes County Solar Portfolio includes three solar projects: 145 MW Salt Branch Solar, 125 MW Huckleberry Solar, and 102 MW Mayes Solar. Together, these projects will create over 300 construction jobs and generate an estimated $76 million in tax revenue for Mayes County over their lifespans – funds that will go toward essential county initiatives and schools. More than $60,000 has already been donated to local organizations like the Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce, and other key services, giving an extra boost to community resources. They’re expected to come online by the end of the year.
“By partnering with Grand River Dam Authority and Leeward Renewable Energy, Google is furthering its ambition to power our facilities, including those in Oklahoma, with carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, global head of data center energy at Google. “These power purchase agreements demonstrate how our scalable procurement approach is transforming the acquisition of clean energy and accelerating the development of carbon-free energy sources.“
In August 2024, research released by CBRE Group found that the amount of data center supply under construction in North America’s top markets jumped by about 70% year-over-year to a record 3.9 gigawatts of power, Reuters reported.
Read more: 3 of Oklahoma’s first NEVI EV charging stations will be Tesla Superchargers
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