France Opposes Delay of Post-Brexit EV Tariffs as Deadline Nears
- Carmakers are pushing for a three-year delay to the levies
- Critics argue new tariffs would hurt Europe and benefit China
A Mini Cooper S Electric car on the production line at an assembly plant in Cowley, UK.
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
France has emerged as the main roadblock for those seeking to delay post-Brexit tariffs that are set to hit electric vehicles shipped between the UK and European Union in a move that could cost carmakers billions of euros in revenue.
The French government doesn’t want to delay the levy, which it worries may have the appearance of giving in to UK requests, potentially deterring battery investments in the EU, according to people familiar with the deliberations and documents outlining nations’ positions. This is in spite of damage the tariffs may cause Renault SA, which is partly owned by the French state, as well as Peugeot and Opel owner Stellantis NV.