The European Commission has confirmed a new quota that will limit imports of hybrid electric vehicles from China to 350,000 units per year, a measure designed to reduce the Chinese share of the EU market to roughly 3 %.
Brussels invoked World Trade Organization rules to introduce the quota swiftly, a step officials say will halve the current Chinese presence in the hybrid segment.
The restriction comes as imports have surged in the past two years; analysts estimate that around 800,000 battery‑powered and plug‑in hybrid cars are likely to be sold in the EU this year.
Industry leaders have welcomed the move. The head of Volkswagen publicly supported the EU plan, arguing that it will help bolster the domestic automotive industry against the influx of Chinese models.
The quota forms part of a broader EU strategy to protect its car manufacturers while encouraging the development of locally produced electric and hybrid vehicles.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
