BYD submits application to export EVs to Canada under new 6.1% tariff

Jakarta (ANTARA) - BYD has reportedly submitted an application to the Canadian government to export electric vehicles to the country under a new import tariff policy that sets a 6.1 per cent tariff. Reported by CarNewsChina on Thursday local time, the Canadian government opened an opportunity for new energy vehicles from China to be exported to the domestic market with a 6.1 per cent tariff, applicable to a quota running from 1 March to 31 August 2026. The tariff is set as a Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rate. The Canadian government stated that import licences would be issued on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. The initial quota covers 49,000 vehicles comprising battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids (HEVs), and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). The long-term plan is to expand the quota to 70,000 units by 2030. It is noted that this policy represents a change from the previous rules. The value of imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles into Canada rose markedly from under CAD 100 million in 2022 to around CAD 2.2 billion in 2023, equivalent to about 44,400 vehicles. However, after the imposition of high tariffs in October 2024, exports declined by almost 92 per cent in the last quarter of that year. Besides BYD, other manufacturers such as Chery Automobile are also reported to be preparing strategies to enter the Canadian market, including recruiting experts in vehicle engineering, electronic architecture and electrics, as well as the necessary regulatory certifications. BYD’s application comes amid a strong push from China’s vehicle industry to expand its global market share, especially in countries that previously implemented high tariff barriers.