Chinese EV makers’ overseas outlook improves as Europe levels the playing field

Western countries’ positive stance on electric vehicles (EVs) has given Chinese carmakers from BYD to Leapmotor renewed vigour to step up their global expansion and counter a slowing domestic market, industry observers said.Europe’s buoyant EV market last year lifted Chinese assemblers’ hopes to boost their exports to shore up their profits and hone their international image, they added.“A welcoming attitude towards electrification is good news for Chinese EV makers because they enjoy technological and cost advantages,” said Gao Shen, an independent analyst in Shanghai. “Chinese players may not be able to take a lion’s share of the global market in a short period, but their sales will increase abroad.”Sales of EVs in Europe jumped 33 per cent year on year to 4.3 million units in 2025, according to data from London-based minerals research and pricing firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.The strong growth helped Europe outpace mainland China, the world’s largest EV market, where sales rose 17 per cent to 12.9 million units.Exports now account for 20 per cent of BYD’s sales, up from 10 per cent in 2024. Photo: AFP“The European EV market was marked by a year of legislative change, as the European Union tailpipe emissions targets were softened throughout the year,” Benchmark said in a recent report. “There was also increased support for consumer EV purchases, with several major European countries expanding or increasing subsidies.”