LONDON — Britain is considering whether to investigate Chinese state subsidies for makers of electric vehicles, two people familiar with the nascent plans told POLITICO.
A U.K. investigation would follow the launch of a similar probe by the EU last October. That probe sparked fury from Beijing, while critics have warned that it could jack up the price of more climate-friendly vehicles during a climate emergency and cost of living crisis.
launch of a similar probe
sparked fury
Now, British automakers are urging the U.K. government to speed up its own work amid concerns the U.K. will see a flood of Chinese-made EVs diverted into its market from the EU if the bloc slaps duties on imports when its probe wraps up later this year.
In the last few weeks “the wheels have started turning,” said a senior figure at a major British automaker familiar with plans at the U.K. Department for Business and Trade. There is “work behind the scenes to look at what those options might look like,” the person said. Like others, they were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive issues.
