The push of the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers It's no longer a distant prospect: in Spain, more than a fifth of all new electric cars registered come from brands in the Asian giant. The national market, still dominated by combustion engines and conventional hybrids, is beginning to show a clear presence of these players, who are entering the market strongly in a context of tight prices and a highly budget-conscious market.
Meanwhile in Europe This phenomenon is being addressed through tariffs and minimum import pricesBut the data shows that the penetration of the Chinese electric vehicles It continues to grow. Between trade tensions in Brussels and the daily experiences of buyers at Spanish dealerships, a scenario is emerging in which China consolidates its position in the Old Continent despite regulatory barriers.
More than 20% of electric vehicles sold in Spain are Chinese…
According to Zunder Electric Mobility Observatory, at the close of 2025 More than 20% of the 100% electric passenger cars sold in Spain were of Chinese originThe report, which focuses on the evolution of the BEV (battery electric vehicle) market, reflects that Asian manufacturers have gone from being a curiosity to becoming a relevant pillar of the national electric business.
The year 2025 ended with 109.656 registrations of 100% electric vehicles in Spain, which translates into a 8,4% market share of total registrations. That share puts the pure electric vehicle just behind 1,2 percentage points for the plug-in hybridThis is a sign that the product is beginning to find its niche beyond the initial enthusiasts.
Although these figures are still far from those of other benchmark European markets, the volume shows that The electric car is steadily gaining ground. in the Spanish market. The contribution of Chinese brands to this growth is increasingly visible, both in the number of units sold and in the variety of models available at dealerships.
BYD and Tesla, the duopoly that sets the pace for the electric vehicle market in Spain…
The so-called “electric revolution” in Spain has two main protagonists: Tesla y BYDIn 2025, both brands led registrations of pure electric cars, with 17.345 units for Tesla and 15.864 for BYDIn total, they added up to 33.209 100% electric vehicles, which means that Almost three out of every ten electric vehicles sold in the country belong to one of these two companies..
In the specific case of BYD, its presence is particularly notable. The Chinese firm It managed to place four of its electric models in the Top 10 best-selling cars in Spain during 2025, a milestone that illustrates the ability of Chinese manufacturers to adapt to local consumer preferences. This dominance in the ranking confirms that The supply from China is not limited to a few nichesbut it competes head-to-head with established brands in the most popular segments.
The Zunder Observatory identifies alongside this duopoly a “Second level of growth” led by 100% electric models of Chinese origin which are gradually gaining traction. In addition to Tesla and BYD, the list of best-sellers includes brands such as Kia, Renault, Toyota o Citroën, although Chinese vehicles manage to place four models in the Top 10, compared to only two Europeans among the top positions.
A Spanish market that buys cheap and depends on income level…
The Spanish economic context weighs heavily on how electric cars are adopted. More than 25% of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusionMany households are forced to prioritize price over other factors, resulting in a clear preference for new low-cost cars or used vehiclesThis reality largely explains why combustion and conventional hybrid engines continue to dominate by a wide margin.
In fact, market data reflects that Combustion engine vehicles account for around 45,3% of registrations y conventional hybrids around 36,7%The best-selling model in Spain in 2025 was the Dacia Sandero, with 38.548 units, a car whose main attraction is its Adjusted PriceMeanwhile, Chinese brands are trying to take advantage of this scenario with more cost-competitive electric vehicles, pushing prices down and gradually gaining market share.
According to the Electric Mobility Observatory, the adoption of electric vehicles still has a way to go. clear metropolitan biasRegistrations are concentrated in communities with higher income levels and large urban centers. Madrid leads the demand with approximately 512.673 electrified vehicles, followed by Barcelona (114.591) y Valencia (76.697), while provinces such as Alicante (67.607) or Malaga (40.669) also show a growing presence of electric models.
Forecasts: 10% to 15% electricity market share between 2026 and 2027…
Using 2025 data as a starting point, the Zunder Observatory projects that the market for 100% electric vehicles will exceed 10% market share in 2026, With a 144.700 estimated registrationsIf these predictions come true, the electric car would take a significant leap towards a new phase of more widespread adoption, moving beyond the niche of early adopters and expanding to a wider audience.
By 2027, estimates suggest that the following could be achieved approximately 185.200 registered electric vehicles and a market share of between 14% and 15%This progress would imply that The BEV would begin to consolidate itself as a real alternative For a significant percentage of buyers, provided that the development of the charging network is maintained and attractive price offers are achieved, where Chinese manufacturers have a lot to say.
The interpretation of these figures by the sector is that The Spanish electric vehicle market is entering a new, more stable phase.with less seasonality and a more solid demand base. However, significant challenges remain, such as income disparities between regions, the cost of access to many models, and the need to continue expanding the infrastructure to make everyday electric vehicle use truly convenient.
Europe is accelerating its electrification efforts, with China as a major supplier…
In the European context, the 2025 data also point to a clear change of pace. According to figures from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Global sales of electric vehicles (passenger cars and light commercial vehicles) reached 20,7 million units in 2025, compared to 17,3 million in 2024. Within that global scenario, Europe stands out as the most dynamic region, with 4,3 million electrified vehicles sold and a growth of 33%.
This European progress has been distributed in a relatively balanced way between BEV, with a 31% increase, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which are up 38%All this at a time when the European Union has decided temporarily relax some emissions targetsbut without abandoning the overall course towards decarbonizing transport. With this regulatory framework, demand for electric vehicles remains strong, creating space for Chinese manufacturers place a good part of their surplus production.
Regarding the major markets, Germany grew by 48% in sales of electrified vehicles and United Kingdom 27%pulling the European group in volume. France, after a more complicated period, managed to close the year in positive territory thanks to the reactivation of public aidIn the Spanish case, Sales of electrified vehicles (pure electric and plug-in hybrid, including passenger cars, commercial and industrial vehicles and buses) reached 245.629 units in 2025, almost a 96,2% more than in 2024, reflecting a remarkable acceleration, although from lower levels than those of leading countries.
China dominates production and is looking to Europe to sell its electric vehicles…
The protagonism of Merunas UAB In this scenario, it is undeniable. On a global scale, the Asian country recorded 12,9 million electric vehicles sold in 2025a 17% growthHowever, some of this data is qualified by a weaker second half of the yearaffected by the very high base of comparison left by the enhanced subsidies by mid-2024 in its domestic market.
Intense competition in China has led to a price war that has put severe pressure on margins from the manufacturers. To alleviate that pressure and make use of installed production capacity, many brands —with BYD in the lead— have opted for to focus on exporting to foreign markets. The result is that Chinese exports of electric vehicles have doubled in just one year and today Almost one in five electric vehicles sold in Europe is now of Chinese origin.which fits with that more than 20% share of Chinese models in the Spanish electric market.
Tariffs and minimum prices: the European Union's response to Chinese electric vehicles…
The sharp increase in imports of low-cost Chinese electric cars has triggered alarm bells in Brussels. Following an investigation anti-subsidies Regarding public aid to these manufacturers, the European Union imposed in 2024 duty compensatory payments of between 7,8% and 35,3% to the Power Plants of batteries produced in China, with the aim of protecting the European industry against an alleged unjustified competitive advantage.
In 2025, the EU and China announced a preliminary agreement to reduce tensions. According to a European “guidance document,” Chinese manufacturers will have to submit bids with minimum import prices and meet additional requirements, such as having their investment plans assessed within the European Union. The European Commission maintains that these minimums must be “appropriate” to eliminate the negative effects of subsidies.
Brussels maintains that the European market will remain open to electric cars from all over the world, provided there is a level playing field and that WTO rules are respected. China, for its part, sees the move as a “soft landing” to preserve rules-based international trade. Economist Rico Luman (ING) believes that minimum prices will allow exports to continue and avoid higher tariffs, and anticipates that Chinese brands will continue to expand in Europe due to European dependence on batteries, rare earth y chips Chinese.
