At the beginning of the year, the redesigned Dacia Spring arrived on the market, and two months later it was announced that it will cost 10,990 euros. However, the latest information says that due to the new EU tariffs, this car will cost 3,500 euros more.
In 2023, the EU launched an investigation into the privileged position of electric vehicles produced in China due to subsidies. It was suspected that China is helping domestic companies in various ways to export their cars to the European market at lower prices and thus endangering European manufacturers. In order to respond to the growing pressure and resentment of European companies, the EU decided to introduce additional tariffs of up to 38.1%, which will come into effect on July 4. For example, BYD will pay 17.4 percent, Geely 20 percent, and SAIC, which with the help of former British brand MG is by far the biggest seller in Europe, will pay 38.1 percent. Other brands that were cooperative will pay a 21 percent duty, and those that refused will pay 38.1 percent.
This decision is already showing its impact on car prices, so the Dacia Spring will have a new starting price of 20,400 euros from autumn. On the French market, the price increase will be even higher. Thus, an electric car on the French market would be more expensive by almost 4,000 euros compared to the current starting price.
Dacia is not the only victim of the new EU tariffs, Tesla will also increase the prices of their cars. In some EU markets, the Tesla Model 3 will cost 8,500 euros more, with a starting price of 49,490 euros (subsidies not included).
Source: Reuters