A new report states that the European Union has slightly tweaked its proposed tariffs on imported EVs from certain Chinese automakers after those companies divulged more details of their businesses. The tariff cuts are marginal but could offer a shred of hope that the EU is still willing to negotiate said duties before they are imposed next week.
Another week, another chapter in the ongoing bluster of a potential trade war following proposed tariffs by the EU on Chinese-built EVs entering the region.
You probably know the backstory by now. The EU Commission opened an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EV imports, deeming them unfair in competition, threatened new tariffs, the US imposed tariffs of its own quadrupled to 100%, etc.
Last we reported, Canada had joined the fracas, mulling tariffs on Chinese EVs to align with its US and EU trade partners. Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Commerce had criticized the EU Commission’s anti-subsidy probing, claiming the requested details from foreign automakers were “unprecedented” and compared the probe to spy-like levels of inquisition.
Earlier this month, China’s Ministry of Commerce met in Beijing with several automakers subject to the EU probe, including state-owned SAIC and BYD. The meeting also included European automakers like BMW, Volkswagen, and Porsche, who have tried to help find a solution to avoid the Chinese government’s threats to “adopt firm countermeasures” and raise a provisional tariff on imported gasoline cars from the EU.
In a recent report, the EU has eased its proposed tariffs for some Chinese EV automakers, but only by mere percentage points.
EU reduces proposed tariffs for SAIC and Geely
According to a recent Bloomberg report, the EU has reduced some tariffs on Chinese EVs after receiving more information from automakers as part of its anti-subsidy probe. The news comes from someone familiar with the matter who spoke under the condition of maintaining anonymity.
Per the report, the following Chinese automakers will see reduced duties on EVs imported into the European market:
SAIC: 37.6% (Previously 38.1%)
Geely Automobile Holding: 19.9% (Previously 20%)
As you can see, the reduced tariff percentages are marginal but better than nothing, we suppose. The revised proposed tariffs will add to the existing 10% duty in the EU and apply to the other Chinese automakers—those who cooperated with the anti-subsidy and those who didn’t. Those proposed tariffs are an additional 20.8% (weight average duty) and 37.6% levy, respectively.
Rising EV automaker Build Your Dreams (BYD) was also mentioned in the EU tariff reduction report but will see no change to its proposed duties, which will be 17.4% if and when those tariffs take effect next.
Both China and the EU are reportedly still in talks at the negotiating table, and it appears the former is now settling for a bartered compromise rather than a complete abolishment of the new tariffs. We will keep a close watch on this ongoing story as the EU’s proposed tariffs are scheduled to initially go into effect on July 4 before definitive duties kick in this fall.
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JiYue, a Chinese EV brand focused on delivering all-electric “robocars” to the masses, has unveiled its latest model, and it’s quite a deviation from its previous EVs—but in the best way. Earlier today, JiYue launched the ROBO X supercar, designed for high-speed racing. By high speed, we mean 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 1.9 seconds. My mouth is watering.
JiYue has only existed since 2021, when parent tech company Baidu announced it was expanding from software development into physical EV production, joining forces with multinational automotive manufacturer Geely.
The new “robotic EV” marque initially launched as JIDU with $300 million in startup capital before garnering an additional $400 million in Series A funding, led by Baidu, in January 2022.
In August 2023, Geely took on a larger role in JIDU alongside a greater financial stake as the brand reimagined itself as JiYue, inheriting the JIDU logo and its flagship model, the 01 ROBOCAR.
The 07 finally launched in China earlier this year with 545 miles of range. With an all-electric SUV and sedan on the market, JiYue has unveiled an exciting new entry in the form of a performance supercar called the ROBO X. Check it out:
JiYue’s new ROBO X EV is available for pre-order now
JiYue showcased its new ROBO X hypercar in front of the crowd at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show earlier today. Similar to previous models but with a unique spin, JiYue described the ROBO X as an AI smart-driving supercar that, for the first time, blends artificial intelligence and autonomous driving into a high-performance, race-ready EV.
When we say “high performance,” we mean a quad motor liquid-cooled drive system that can propel the ROBO X from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in under 1.9 seconds. JiYue called the new ROBO X a “performance beast” with “the perfect balance of excellent aerodynamic performance and high downforce.” JiYue CEO Joe Xia was even bolder in his statements about the ROBO X:
For the next 20 years, the design of supercars will bear the shadow of Robo X. This is the best design in the history of Chinese automobiles today, and it is a landmark presence.
Fighter-style airflow ducts bolster the EV’s aerodynamics, efficiency, and overall posture. Per JiYue, the two-seater ROBO X is expected to deliver a maximum range of over 650 km (404 miles).
The new supercar features falcon-wing doors, a carbon fiber integrated frame, and a professional racing HALO safety system offering 360° of support. The interior features an AI smart cockpit with SIMO real-time feedback to give drivers an immersive racing experience.
Furthermore, JiYue said the vehicle will utilize parent company Baidu’s Apollo self-driving technology, which could make it the first electric supercar to apply pure-vision ADAS technology that enables track-level autonomous driving.
Following today’s unveiling of the ROBO X, JiYue has officially opened up pre-orders in China for RMB 49,999 ($6,915). That said, reservation holders will need to be patient as JiYue shared that it doesn’t expect to begin mass production of the ROBO X until 2027.
What do you think? Will people be talking about the ROBO X for the next 20 years?
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes the launch of the Lectric XPedition 2.0, Yamaha e-bikes pulling out of North America, LiveWire unveils an electric scooter concept, PNY readying its cargo e-scooters for pilot testing, Royal Enfield’s first electric motorcycle, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:30 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:30 a.m. ET):
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Crude oil futures were on pace Friday for loss for the week, as a supply gut and a strong dollar depresses the market.
U.S. crude oil is down more than 2% this week, while Brent has shed nearly 2%.
Here are Friday’s energy prices:
West Texas Intermediate December contract: $68.56 per barrel, down 14 cents, or 0.2%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil has shed about 4%.
Brent January contract: $72.36 per barrel, down 20 cents, or 0.28%. Year to date, the global benchmark has lost nearly 6%.
RBOB Gasoline December contract: $1.99 per gallon, up 0.46%. Year to date, gasoline has fallen more than 1%.
Natural Gas December contract: $2.70 per thousand cubic feet, down 2.98%. Year to date, gas has gained more than 4%.
The International Energy Agency has forecast a surplus of more than 1 million barrels per day in 2025 on robust production in the U.S. OPEC revised down its demand forecast for the fourth consecutive month as demand in China remains soft.
A strong dollar also hangs over the market, as the greenback has surged in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory.