Car manufacturer BMW expects the additional tariffs provisionally imposed by the European Union on electric cars from China to be mitigated.

"After intensive discussions, we are confident that the very high tariff of 37.6 percent will not be imposed," said BMW CEO Oliver Zipse on Thursday. The better solution would be equal tariffs on both sides, preferably none at all. Zipse called the additional import duties, with which the EU is reacting to unfair competitive advantages through subsidies for e-car production in China, a dead end.

BMW itself is affected because the electric Mini is built in China and exported to Europe from there. "Such measures do not strengthen the competitiveness of European manufacturers," criticized the manager, "on the contrary."

Meanwhile, BMW does not have the same sales problems with electric cars as its German competitor Mercedes-Benz in Europe, thanks to a more recent model range. The prevailing uncertainty about the switch to e-cars is the result of exaggerated expectations, which are now not materializing, explained Zipse. "We are not experiencing any reluctance to buy in Europe." The car manufacturer will also achieve the CO2 reduction targets in the EU, which envisage a 15 percent reduction from next year compared to 2021 and a 55 percent reduction from 2030. The latter would mean an e-car share of at least 50 percent of sales. "We are confident that we will get there," added the BMW boss.

(Report by Ilona Wissenbach, edited by Sabine Wollrab. If you have any queries, please contact the editorial team at frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com)