Top 5 country destinations of Chinese EV exports
In January, the combined battery capacity of EVs manufactured in China and exported around the world totaled 5.2 GWh, representing a 31% year-on-year increase.
Chinese EVs sold outside the domestic market in January 2025 fell by 27% month on month in GWh terms, retreating from what is historically the biggest month of the year for EV sales.
The top destination for made-in-China EV exports at the start of the year was Thailand at 702 MWh, a 155% jump over December last year to set a new monthly record. Year on year the advance was a more sedate 5% – January 2024 was the previous record month.
The top model in Thailand in January was the BYD Sea Lion representing one out every 5 kWh of Chinese battery capacity hitting the roads in the Asian country for the first time during the month.
Thailand edged out the United Kingdom for top spot in January. The total battery capacity of Made-in-China EVs sold in January in the UK fell by 61% compared to the December rush when more than a 1.0 GWh of battery capacity hit the country’s roads.
The UK was the top destination for EVs manufactured in China from March through December last year and January 2025’s tally was 50% higher than January 2024.
Western brands including Tesla, Volvo, Polestar and Lotus owned by Geely and SAIC’s MG occupied the top 5 slots in battery capacity terms in the UK.
Positioned at number three, German buyers of Chinese-made EVs added 346 MWh to the country’s autobahns, 25% more than in December and a 77% increase compared to January 2024.
European brands also dominated in Germany with the Volkswagen’s Cupra Tavascan assembled in Anhui province in a joint venture with the JAC Group the top made-in-China EV in the country in January.
In Israel, EVs made in China and sold in January had a combined battery capacity of 317 MWh placing the country at number four in the ranking on the back of mostly Chinese brands including BYD, Xpeng, Jaecoo (owned by Chery), Seres, Geometry and Zeekr (two other Geely badges).
Brazil rounds out the top five at 244 MWh after a 27% month on month fall and a 1% retreat year over year. Led by BYD, made-in-China EVs captured a full 82% of the Brazilian market by total battery capacity deployed in January this year.
Chinese success in Brazil comes despite tariffs on imported fully electric EVs currently at 18%, rising to 25% in July and topping out at 35% in 2026. The US (23rd) and Canada (19th) add 100% duties on Chinese EVs all but shutting out the country’s manufacturers from domestic markets.
Israel and Thailand do no target EVs imported from China and the UK does not levy tariffs on Chinese EVs over and above its general 10% vehicle import duties.
The European Union’s additional tariffs on imports target made-in-China vehicles on a sliding scale by manufacturer. While Teslas imported from China into the bloc get away with a 7.8% levy, BYD, which sold its first EVs in Europe in 2021, attracts a 17.4% tariff. Geely must contend with a 19.9% duty while SAIC was slapped with the highest 35.3% rate.
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