China electric car tariffs would drive up prices, MG warns

Drivers will be forced to pay more for electric vehicles (EV) if Andy Burnham presses ahead with new tariffs on Chinese imports, MG Motors has warned. Guy Pigounakis, commercial director of the Chinese-owned company, said on Friday that UK proposals to match the European Commission’s (EC) levy of up to 45pc on imports would have a “significant impact” on prices. He said: “All [tariffs] do, effectively, is increase the price to the consumer. They drive up inflation and potentially interest rates as a consequence. You see that all across the world.” Chinese EVs have flooded the UK in recent years,…