- With the EV revolution underway, a slew of electric car manufacturers are targeting Europe for the first time.
- With typically lower prices than European OEMs, these brands are set to steal a significant chunk of the market share from long established manufacturers.
- Here’s our rundown of the top EV brands heading to, or already in, Europe.
BYD
Chinese manufacturer BYD is arguably the most expanded firm in Europe within this list, with over six specific models sold across Europe – from the Volkswagen ID.3-rivalling Dolphin, to the sleek luxury electric saloon that is the BYD Han. Sadly, some of its even cheaper models, such as the £8,000 BYD Seagull, which could seriously boost EV adoption within Europe, haven’t made their way here just yet. That could be about to change however, with BYD’s UK marketing manager Mark Blundell recently hinting to Autocar that the firm was keen to launch the Seagull city car in the UK. BYD’s domination isn’t limited to just Europe, with the firm expected to overtake Tesla for global market share this year.
VinFast
VinFast, an up and coming EV manufacturer from Vietnam, began delivering EVs to the USA in early 2023, and is already launching in selected European countries. The VF8 crossover can already be ordered in France, Germany, and The Netherlands, whilst a wide range of other models are also on the way. The OEM has just started producing right-hand-drive vehicles, with Indonesia being the first country to be graced with RHD VinFast EVs. This move hints at VinFast entering RHD European countries soon, such as the United Kingdom.
XPENG
XPENG has successfully launched in the European nations of Germany, Norway, and The Netherlands, but its expansion is set to continue throughout 2024. The firm’s G6 electric crossover is now readying up for a wider European release, which will also be the first EV from the firm offered in right-hand-drive. The partnership between XPENG and Volkswagen, where two jointly-developed EVs will be sold under the VW marque, will remain as cars exclusively for the Chinese market, however.
Changan Automobile
Chinese car manufacturer Changan plans to bring its Deepal subsidiary to Europe in the coming years. The UK should be the first country to see the brand with the Defender-esque G318, as a RHD variant will be manufactured within Thailand for export. Changan also owns the Avatr and Qiyuan marques, though there is no sign of these heading to Europe just yet.
ZEEKR
ZEEKR, part of the Geely conglomerate which also manufactures Volvo and Polestar models, has made its 001 shooting brake and X SUV available to order in select European markets this year, including Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. There’s nothing set in stone for 2025, so we’ll be waiting to see which other countries ZEEKR plans to expand to. By operating solely on a direct-to-consumer basis, with no need for brick-and-mortar dealerships, the firm should at least be able to expand rapidly across the continent.
OMODA
OMODA is a subsidiary of the large Chinese car manufacturer Chery, who are planning to bring fully-electric models to Europe under this marque. Spain is set to be the first market to receive the brand, with the arrival of the Omoda E5 crossover. Pricing hasn’t been announced just yet, but the petrol variant will go on sale for €27,900. The brand is also looking to the United Kingdom, Poland, and Italy as its next markets.
