Biden quadruples tariffs on Chinese EVs, up from 25% to 100%
The US government has announced wider tariffs on several categories of Chinese goods, including various green products like solar panels and batteries, medical goods, and in particular an increase of tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%.
Rumors were first reported last week that tariffs on Chinese-made goods would be extended and expanded after a multi-year review of “section 301 tariffs” that had been implemented under the previous administration.
Previously, all cars made in China were subject to a 25% tariff when imported to the US, on top of an additional 2.5% tariff that all foreign-made cars were subject to, totaling 27.5%. This large tariff has had the effect of excluding most Chinese autos from the US market, as it’s easier to export to countries with lower tariffs first.
However, given Chinese EVs are incredibly affordable, even a 25% tariff might have resulted in competitive prices. For this reason, it was considered inevitable by most observers that eventually Chinese EVs would make their way into being sold in the US.
It seems that Biden has also decided that the 25% tariff wouldn’t be enough to forestall China’s advance, and has decided to instead quadruple it to 100%, meaning that Chinese EVs will effectively sell for double the price they would otherwise if brought to the US.
The move also includes increased tariffs on batteries, battery minerals, solar panels, steel and aluminum, and computer chips. Most of these tariffs go into effect this year, though some will be imposed next year, and there is a tariff exclusion process available for certain exceptions. A list of what products are targeted is available on this White House fact sheet.
Currently only two EVs in the US are made in China, the Polestar 2 EV and Volvo S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid. Both companies are owned by Geely, but still headquartered in Sweden, with manufacturing in various parts of the world depending on model.
But the excellent Volvo EX30 is set to release this year at a starting price of $35k, which was inclusive of the 25% tariff. With no other changes, its price would rise to ~$54k – unless or until Volvo moves production out of China, something BYD has also considered in order to enter the US market.
We reached out for comment from both Volvo and Polestar, and this is what we heard back:
As a global manufacturer Volvo Cars is in favor of free trade and open markets. Free trade creates jobs, wealth and economic growth. Volvo believes strongly in the benefits of investing and contributing to the main markets in which it seeks to sell cars, reflected in our $1B South Carolina manufacturing plant where we are creating thousands of jobs building EVs for the US and world markets.
-Volvo spokesperson
We are currently evaluating the announcement of tariff increases from the Biden Administration. As a global company headquartered in Sweden, listed on NASDAQ in New York and operating across 27 markets, we believe that free trade is essential to speed up the transition to more sustainable mobility through increased EV adoption. Production of Polestar 3 is set to begin in South Carolina in the summer diversifying our manufacturing footprint and supporting job creation and economic growth in the region. This important SUV for us will be built in the USA for U.S. and Canadian customers as well as for export to European markets.
-Polestar spokesperson
Unfortunately, neither company was able to provide more details on their current plans for various models – in particular, the two models mentioned above, and the upcoming EX30. We imagine more info will come on that soon.
In general, reaction to the move was positive from domestic manufacturing trade associations and labor groups, but negative from economists, consumer advocates and foreign/global manufacturers. And negative, of course, from China, whose Ministry of Commerce said it “will take resolute measures to defend its rights and interests.” This likely includes a lawsuit in front of the World Trade Organization and/or retaliatory tariffs, as is usually the case in trade wars like this.
These tariffs had been called for by several entities in the US (and Europe), as Chinese EV manufacturing has rapidly ramped in recent years.
China was originally somewhat slow to adopt EVs – in 2015, EV market share was just .84%, similar to the US market share of .66% and well below California at 3.1% at the time. But in 2023, US market share had risen to a meager 7.6% and California to just 21.4%, whereas China’s EV market share was a whopping 37%, leapfrogging several other leading countries in the process (and it was just 5% in 2020, so the turn upwards has been very rapid over the last 3 years). It caught foreign manufacturers by surprise, leaving ICE car values plummeting in China as consumers are simply not interested.
Despite the massive swing upwards in Chinese EV interest, EV manufacturing has risen even more rapidly. This has left Chinese automakers with more than enough vehicles for the export market, and they have started exporting so many to Europe that they can’t find enough ships to carry them.
Those EVs haven’t made their way to the US yet, but most thought that it was inevitable they would soon. But with these increased tariffs, that makes it less likely that US consumers will gain access to these cheap, high-tech Chinese EVs.
This isn’t the first move that Biden has made to limit the ability of the Chinese auto industry to operate in the US. The Inflation Reduction Act which updated the US EV tax credit included protectionist measures to disallow Chinese-sourced EVs from taking advantage of the credit. To qualify, EVs must be assembled in America and must have a certain percentage of components sourced in the US or US free trade countries, and can’t include parts from “foreign entities of concern” (though there are some ways around this).
The net effect of the IRA is that batteries sourced from China have a harder time getting access to US tax credits, thus reducing their competitiveness in the US market.
Electrek’s Take
I wrote a piece this weekend about how these tariffs are not a good idea. It’s long but I’d encourage giving it a read.
The basic idea is that protectionist trade measures generally cause more chaos than they’re worth, fail to protect the industries they are intended to protect, and lull industry into a false sense of security thus making it less competitive in the long run. If protectionist measures are needed, it’s better to encourage domestic industry with incentives than to implement tariffs.
And Biden has implemented targeted incentives and regulations to help the domestic EV industry – the Inflation Reduction Act, various EPA regulations and grants, and so on – most of which have helped to keep prices down for Americans while making the US more competitive in EV manufacturing.
But it seems like there’s no way these particular tariffs don’t increase the price of goods for Americans, which is something America (and the world) is struggling with right now.
The administration says that it does not expect much overall inflation because these tariffs are aimed at industries which Biden has targeted for growth, but for us in the EV world, that means prices of the main thing we follow – EVs – will likely rise.
Current EVs that get affordable batteries from China will be made more expensive, or will need to find new suppliers which can now charge higher prices since they don’t have to compete with the previously lowest-priced option.
And same with EVs as a whole – the existence of excellent small cars like the EX30 exerts downward price pressure on competing vehicles, which now won’t have to worry about that particular car (or any other affordable EVs which might make their way here) as competition.
And the net effect of that is lower EV adoption – which means Americans won’t get cleaner air as quickly as we would otherwise.
Meanwhile, while it may give a little breathing room for the American auto industry to catch up, it may also make them think they don’t need to work as hard to do so. American automakers already lobby to slow down the EV transition, so it’s clear they aren’t interested in moving as fast as they possibly can.
But most importantly, I don’t see how artificially raising the prices of EVs helps to meet climate goals. Climate change is the most important issue humanity has ever faced, and needs to be priority number one of every human on Earth. This decision does not do that.
But even though tariffs hurt the US economy, they are still popular. So this decision doesn’t happen in a vacuum – it happens with an important election just months away.
Of course, despite this being a bad move, there aren’t many other options. President Biden’s election competitor, Mr. Trump, also favors increased tariffs, though is less targeted in his approach.
Trump further favors torpedoing America’s manufacturing competitiveness by actively seeking to harm EV production. He recently asked oil companies for a billion dollars in bribes, promising to shut down incentives for American auto manufacturing if they give it to him, which would in fact hand even more of a lead to China.
So there is still a clear better choice for how to handle the issue of the EV trade – even if both seem committed to making some poor decisions on the way.
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The Honda Ruckus has earned cult status thanks to its minimalist styling, exposed frame, and seemingly endless customizability. The scooter, also known in international markets as the Honda Zoomer, has spent years being seen as a blank canvas for scooter tuners, urban commuters, and anyone who just wanted something simple, small, and kind of weird to zip around town. A few years ago, Honda finally answered the call for an updated version by announcing and producing the “Zoomer e:”, which was an electric version of the Honda Ruckus. So where is it?
When Honda launched the all-electric version of the Ruckus, the Zoomer e:, back in 2023, many fans hoped it was only a matter of time before we saw it quietly glide onto U.S. streets.
But two years later, there’s still no sign of a stateside release, and no indication that Honda plans to change that anytime soon.
The Zoomer e: was first introduced in China in early 2023 alongside two other retro-inspired electrics: the Cub e: and Dax e:.
The Zoomer e: keeps the stripped-down, industrial look of the classic gas-powered Ruckus, but swaps the 49cc engine for a 400W rear hub motor and a 48V 24Ah battery (around 1.15 kWh).
It was originally given a top speed of a mere 25 km/h (15.5 mph) to keep it street legal as an electric bicycle in its first market of China, where it also came with functional but stubby pedals so riders could pretend it was actually pedalable.
The first version of the electric scooter claimed a range of up to 80–90 km (50–56 miles) from its removable lithium-ion battery, depending on conditions.
We’ve since seen the performance bumped up to 40 km/h (25 mph) top speeds when the scooter was introduced into the Philippines market, where the local L1B classification allowed for higher speeds. It’s fairly obvious that the performance can be software-tweaked by Honda depending on the market, though likely to a limit. To achieve speeds much higher than 25 mph, a motor and controller swap may be required, though neither would be complicated.
In other words, the electric Ruckus’ debut revealed an ultra-lightweight, street-legal runabout designed for countries with expansive low-speed e-bike laws. But in the U.S., these types of quasi-e-bikes that are actually scooters are few and far between. The same performance can be had from a $1,000 electric bicycle, and in fact, Class 3 e-bikes in the US can go nearly twice as fast as the original electric Ruckus.
So Honda obviously hasn’t been in a rush to bring its low-spec version of the bike to the US market, where it would be a slower and heavier competitor to the wide range of cheap imported electric bicycles. However, its iconic design and cultural legacy have kept enthusiasm up for riders who have managed to privately import their own models. One Redditor appears to have imported two Honda Zoomer e: models in parts to assemble in the US, while someone else posted a YouTube video of his completely assembled Honda Dax e: model that was launched along the Zoomer e:.
Despite clear consumer interest and a growing market for low-speed electric vehicles, as well as Honda’s own proven interest in growing its electric scooter market, the company hasn’t made any moves to release the Zoomer e: in the US. That’s not surprising since America still lacks a robust electric scooter culture (or even a gasoline scooter culture, for that matter), and anything motorcycle-shaped that doesn’t hit 30+ mph tends to get passed over by mainstream buyers.
But perhaps that could change one day. Technically, bringing the Zoomer e: to the US wouldn’t be a monumental task for Honda. The U.S. is a self-certify country, meaning Honda could design a version that meets federal vehicle safety standards, beef up the motor and controller for higher speeds, and sell it as either a Class 2/3 e-bike, or perhaps more appropriately, as a low-speed motorcycle with a top speed in the 35-45 mph range (55-70 km/h).
With the rise of micromobility, electrification, and growing frustration with car-centric cities, now might actually be the perfect time for a reborn electric Ruckus to hit US roads. But until Honda decides to take that step, American riders will have to keep dreaming – or start importing.
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BMW Motorrad’s futuristic electric scooter just got its first real refresh since beginning production in 2021. The BMW CE 04, already one of the most capable and stylish electric maxi-scooters on the market, now gets a set of upgraded trim options, new aesthetic touches, and a more robust list of features that aim to make this urban commuter even more appealing to riders looking for serious electric performance on two wheels.
The BMW CE 04 has always stood out for its sci-fi styling and high-performance drivetrain. It’s built on a mid-mounted liquid-cooled motor that puts out 31 kW (42 hp) and 62 Nm of torque. That’s enough to rocket the scooter from 0 to 50 km/h (31 mph) in just 2.6 seconds – quite fast for anything with a step-through frame.
The top speed is electronically limited to 120 km/h (75 mph), making it perfectly capable for city riding and fast enough to hold its own on highway stretches. Range is rated at 130 km (81 miles) on the WMTC cycle, thanks to the 8.9 kWh battery pack tucked low in the frame.
But while the core performance hasn’t changed, BMW’s 2025 update focuses on refining the package and giving riders more options to tailor the scooter to their taste. The new CE 04 is available in three trims: Basic, Avantgarde, and Exclusive.
The Basic trim keeps things clean and classic with a Lightwhite paint scheme and a clear windshield. It’s subtle, sleek, and very much in line with the CE 04’s clean-lined aesthetic. The Avantgarde model adds a splash of color with a Gravity Blue main body and bright São Paulo Yellow accents, along with a dark windshield and a laser-engraved rim. The top-shelf Exclusive trim is where things get fancy, with a premium Spacesilver metallic paint job, upgraded wind protection, heated grips, a luxury embroidered seat, and its own unique engraved rim treatment.
There are also a few new tech upgrades baked into the options list. Riders can now spec a 6.9 kW quick charger that reduces the 0–80% charge time to just 45 minutes (down from nearly 4 hours with the standard 2.3 kW onboard charger). Tire pressure monitoring, a center stand, and BMW’s “Headlight Pro” adaptive lighting system are also available as add-ons, along with an emergency eCall system and Dynamic Traction Control.
BMW has kept the core riding components in place: a steel-tube chassis, 15-inch wheels, Bosch ABS (with optional ABS Pro), and the impressive 10.25” TFT display with integrated navigation and smartphone connectivity. The under-seat storage still swallows a full-face helmet, and the long, low frame design means the scooter looks like something out of Blade Runner but rides like a luxury commuter.
With these updates, BMW seems to be further cementing the CE 04’s role at the high end of the electric scooter market. It’s not cheap, starting around €12,000 in Europe and around US $12,500 in the US, with prices going up from there depending on configuration. However, the maxi-scooter delivers real motorcycle-grade performance in a package that’s easier to live with for daily riders.
Electrek’s Take
I believe that the CE 04’s biggest strength has always been that it’s not trying to be a toy or a gimmick. It’s a real vehicle. Sure, it’s futuristic and funky looking, but it delivers on its promises. And in a market that’s still surprisingly sparse when it comes to premium electric scooters, BMW has had the lane mostly to itself. That may not last forever, though. LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s electric spin-off brand, has teased plans for a maxi-scooter-style urban electric vehicle in the coming years, but as of now, it remains something of an undefined future plan.
Meanwhile, BMW is delivering not just a concept bike but a mature, well-equipped, and ready-to-ride electric scooter that keeps improving. For riders who want something faster and more capable than a Class 3 e-bike but aren’t ready to jump to a full-size electric motorcycle, the CE 04 hits a sweet spot. It delivers the performance and capability of a commuter e-motorcycle, yet with the approachability of a scooter. And with these new trims and upgrades, it’s doing it with even more style.
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If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you combine a fruit cart, a cargo bike, and a Piaggio Ape all in one vehicle, now you’ve got your answer. I submit, for your approval, this week’s feature for the Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week column – and it’s a beautiful doozie.
Feast your eyes on this salad slinging, coleslaw cruising, tuber taxiing produce chariot!
I think this electric vegetable trike might finally scratch the itch long felt by many of my readers. It seems every time I cover an electric trike, even the really cool ones, I always get commenters poo-poo-ing it for having two wheels in the rear instead of two wheels in the front. Well, here you go, folks!
Designed with two front wheels for maximum stability, this trike keeps your cucumbers in check through every corner. Because trust me, you don’t want to hit a pothole and suddenly be juggling peaches like you’re in Cirque du Soleil: Farmers Market Edition.
To avoid the extra cost of designing a linked steering system for a pair of front wheels, the engineers who brought this salad shuttle to life simply side-stepped that complexity altogether by steering the entire fixed front end. I’ve got articulating electric tractors that steer like this, and so if it works for a several-ton work machine, it should work for a couple hundred pounds of cargo bike.
Featuring a giant cargo bed up front with four cascading fruit baskets set up for roadside sales, this cargo bike is something of a blank slate. Sure, you could monetize grandma’s vegetable garden, or you could fill it with your own ideas and concoctions. Our exceedingly talented graphics wizard sees it as the perfect coffee and pastry e-bike for my new startup, The Handlebarista, and I’m not one to argue. Basically, the sky is the limit with a blank slate bike like this!
Sure, the quality doesn’t quite match something like a fancy Tern cargo bike. The rim brakes aren’t exactly confidence-inspiring, but at least there are three of them. And if they should all give out, or just not quite slow you down enough to avoid that quickly approaching brick wall, then at least you’ve got a couple hundred pounds of tomatoes as a tasty crumple zone.
The electrical system does seem a bit underpowered. With a 36V battery and a 250W motor, I don’t know if one-third of a horsepower is enough to haul a full load to the local farmer’s market. But I guess if the weight is a bit much for the little motor, you could always do some snacking along the way. On the other hand, all the pictures seem to show a non-electric version. So if this cart is presumably mobile on pedal power alone, then that extra motor assist, however small, is going to feel like a very welcome guest.
The $950 price is presumably for the electric version, since that’s what’s in the title of the listing, though I wouldn’t get too excited just yet. I’ve bought a LOT of stuff on Alibaba, including many electric vehicles, and the too-good-to-be-true price is always exactly that. In my experience, you can multiply the Alibaba price by 3-4x to get the actual landed price for things like these. Even so, $3,000-$4,000 wouldn’t be a terrible price, considering a lot of electric trikes stateside already cost that much and don’t even come with a quad-set of vegetable baskets on board!
I should also put my normal caveat in here about not actually buying one of these. Please, please don’t try to buy one of these awesome cargo e-trikes. This is a silly, tongue-in-cheek weekend column where I scour the ever-entertaining underbelly of China’s massive e-commerce site Alibaba in search of fun, quirky, and just plain awesomely weird electric vehicles. While I’ve successfully bought several fun things on the platform, I’ve also gotten scammed more than once, so this is not for the timid or the tight-budgeted among us.
That isn’t to say that some of my more stubborn readers haven’t followed in my footsteps before, ignoring my advice and setting out on their own wild journey. But please don’t be the one who risks it all and gets nothing in return. Don’t say I didn’t warn you; this is the warning.
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