‘We benefit less from state aid’
Tesla has asked the European Union to exempt the cars it produces in China and ships to Europe from a higher import tax. Tesla believes that it benefits less from state support than Chinese peers. Tesla assembles the Model 3 in China, among other things.
In September, Brussels had launched an investigation into electric cars from companies in China. In a provisional conclusion, the European Commission rules that there are unfair government subsidies that benefit companies in the country. That harms European competitors. If nothing changes, the EU executive will impose levies of up to 38.1 percent.
Tesla has requested an individual investigation, a spokesperson for the European Commission reports. The manufacturer requests an import tax that is proportionate to the subsidies Tesla has received. Other companies that produce in China can also request such an investigation, but only at the end of this year. This allows them to avoid an increased levy.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl