Chinese Invasion
The Chinese electric vehicles are here and more are on their way from the China shores. One of China’s brand’s BYD (Build Your Dreams) has overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles (EVs) in annual sales. BYD’s sales rose last year by over 27%. The sales rise was aided by a drop in sales of Tesla’s caused by loss of government subsidies on the purchase price of models. China’s models now incorporate or exceed the features found in western offerings. China is also fortunate to possess efficient battery production facilities and the raw materials required.
EV’s are now being offered from Chinese brands such as BYD, MG (now under Chinese ownership), GWM, Omada and Jaecoo. As car enthusiasts would have noticed, a lot of the Chinese produced models look similar to other brand models, such as the following examples:
- Jaecoo J7
- Beijing BJ80 (Mercedes G-Wagen)
- BYD Seal (Tesla Model 3)
- Landwind X7 (Range Rover Evoque)
- Zotye SR9 (Porsche Macan)
Electric Car Tax
Staying on the subject of electric vehicles, a new tax will come into force in April 2028, where EV drivers will pay a road levy of 3p per mile and plug-in hybrid car owners will pay 1.5p per mile. Rates will increase each year in line with inflation. The draft plan to charge for the mileage driven is to ascertain the current mileage at the vehicle’s MOT (for vehicles 3 years and older). Payment will then by integrated into the Vehicle Excise Duty aka. “road tax”. The finer points of the scheme is still under discussion how it will all work. Watch this space!
