Chinese automakers could increase their combined share of the electric vehicle market in Europe to 11% in 2024 from 7.9% last year, with that number set to rise further to 20% by 2027, according to a study published on Wednesday by Transport & Environment (T&E). Chinese EV imports to the EU are also forecast to rise to 25% this year from 19.5% in 2023, with most of that amount coming from international carmakers such as Tesla, Renault’s Dacia, and BMW, the European environmental lobby group added. The analysis comes after the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EV manufacturers last October and is expected to raise the tariff on car imports from China to 25% from the current 10% when the probe is completed. T&E also called for a more comprehensive policy to strengthen the local supply chain and facilitate the availability of affordable EVs in Europe. Tariffs won’t shield legacy carmakers for long, said Julia Poliscanova, a senior director at T&E, adding that “Chinese companies will build factories in Europe and when that happens our car industry needs to be ready.” [T&E]