A recent string of announcements from a number of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers that they plan to start selling cars in Europe by the end of this year marks the latest stage in Chinese EV brands’ attempts to break into the region’s auto market. With 60 percent of all EVs globally now on China’s roads, the country’s electric carmakers have switched their focus increasingly to exports, and Europe is undoubtedly one of their principal targets.
However, it’s not yet clear whether China’s up-and-coming brands can eclipse more recognizable and established European rivals – but fleet managers, who collectively buy over 50 percent of Europe’s passenger vehicles, are likely to be instrumental one way or another.