EU and China Advance EV and Hybrid Vehicle Talks: What the Romanian Market Should Know

The current position for Chinese battery-electric vehicles

The EU’s definitive countervailing duties on battery-electric vehicles from China remain the reference framework. According to the European Commission, the applicable rates range from 7.8% to 35.3%, depending on the manufacturer and its cooperation in the investigation.

Chinese manufacturers may submit individual price undertakings covering a minimum import price, sales channels, safeguards against cross-compensation, import volumes and future investment in the European Union. Each proposal is assessed separately. Political dialogue does not create a general exemption for all Chinese brands or models.

Source: European Commission guidance on BEV price undertakings, 12 January 2026

A precedent already exists

In February 2026, the Commission accepted an undertaking for the CUPRA Tavascan manufactured by Volkswagen Anhui. The vehicle may enter the EU at or above the agreed minimum import price and is exempt from the otherwise applicable countervailing duty, subject to import-volume limits and agreed EU investment milestones.

The case shows that negotiated solutions are possible, but they are company- and model-specific and cannot automatically be applied to other Chinese manufacturers.

Source: European Commission — Volkswagen Anhui undertaking, 10 February 2026

What the hybrid-vehicle understanding may mean

Hybrid vehicles are increasingly important for Chinese manufacturers entering Europe. They can reduce range concerns and serve areas where charging infrastructure is still developing.

However, the joint statement does not specify whether “hybrid vehicles” covers every category, such as HEVs, plug-in hybrids and range-extender vehicles, or describe the agreed commercial mechanism. Until details are published, Romanian landed-cost calculations must use the customs and tax rules actually in force on the import date.

Checklist for Romanian importers

Before ordering vehicles from China, each model and manufacturer should be assessed separately for EU type approval and a valid CoC, customs classification and origin, customs and countervailing duties, VAT, any accepted price undertaking, European charging compatibility, battery warranty, parts availability, diagnostics, software updates, data protection, service arrangements and recall management.

The factory price is only one part of the landed cost. Transport, insurance, duties, homologation, delivery preparation, warranty and after-sales support must also be included.

Energy infrastructure matters

Electric and plug-in hybrid fleets change a company’s load profile. Charging infrastructure must be designed around available grid capacity, charging simultaneity, photovoltaic generation, BESS capacity, time-based tariffs and operational vehicle requirements.

A charger installed without load-profile analysis can create demand charges, operating limits or the need for additional grid investment. Electric mobility should therefore be engineered as part of the site’s complete energy system.

ECONERGY can support companies and investors with preliminary technical assessment, coordination of European compliance checks with authorised specialists, site energy audits, charging-station design and integration with photovoltaic generation, BESS and intelligent energy management.

The new EU–China statement signals continued dialogue, not automatic trade liberalisation. Competitive importers will be those that verify each model, calculate the complete landed cost and prepare the necessary energy infrastructure at the same time.