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Europe's green transition could take longer than expected given the likely EV price hike following new EU tariffs on imports from China.

"From the consumer's point of view, such a measure is definitely not understandable,"

Sebastian Obrecht from Austria's automotive club ARBÖ told CGTN. "The whole of Europe is clamouring for cheap electric cars. Now that we have cheap electric cars, which are also very well received by consumers, we are suddenly making these EVs more expensive again."

Europe risks increasing EV prices with tariffs

Ranging between 17.4 to 38.1%, the tariffs are set to be added on top of the 10% duty already levied. The European Commission says it decided on this measure because the battery electric vehicles value chain in China benefits from unfair subsidisation, which - according to the Commission - is causing a threat of economic injury to European EV producers.

"Yeah I'm affected because I have to pay for it," Vienna resident Matthias Fischer says while charging his EV on the city's Stubenring boulevard.

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While some say the tariffs are needed to safeguard Europe's automotive industry, others fear that this measure will make EVs more expensive and endanger Europe's climate targets.

Norway has opted not to impose the EV tariffs. And Germany is working to soften the policy, with the Economy Minister due to travel to Beijing for talks next week. With negotiations ongoing, there is still some room for maneuver before the tariffs are due to take effect on July 4th.