Chinese automakers accounted for more than 15% of electric-vehicle sales in Europe for the first time last month, as consumer appetite for models from the country shows no sign of slowing. Sales of fully electric cars from manufacturers including BYD and Chery more than doubled in April YoY to 38,281, according to analysts at Dataforce. Chinese brands are closing in on 10% of the overall European car market. This rapid influx has alarmed local manufacturers, who — squeezed by strict emissions mandates and affordable foreign competition — are lobbying the EU to ease the planned 2035 phase-out of combustion engines to protect regional factories and jobs.

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