Car industry pressing EU for further delay to Brexit EV tariffs

Exclusive: deal in 2020 had sought to stimulate local battery making but industry says it still cannot meet targets

The EU and UK car industries are urging the European Commission to adjust the Brexit trade deal and suspend, for a second time, tariffs on imports of electric vehicles.

They have expressed concerns that they will not be able to meet the conditions set for 1 January 2027 for tariff-free sales. This is because of strict rules of origin over what products can qualify for tariff-free trade under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement which has applied since 2021.