Chinese Hybrids: Brussels Sets a Cap of 350,000 Vehicles a Year, According to a European Official

A cap announced on Monday

A European official announced on Monday, October 12, 2026 that the European Union will set the volume of hybrid vehicles coming from China at 350,000 per year. The cap stems from an agreement negotiated between Beijing and Brussels, Le Figaro reports.

According to the same official, the arrangement will "cut current exports to the Union by more than half." Those exports are expected, in his view, to reach 800,000 vehicles in 2026.

What Maros Sefcovic said on Friday

According to Le Figaro, European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic made an initial announcement on Friday, after two days of intensive talks in Beijing. He said China had agreed to moderate the influx of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles onto the European market.

Still according to him, the bilateral agreement could prevent the arrival of "several million units" over four years and pointed to a decline of more than half in Chinese exports. The commissioner did not give further details. The 350,000 figure is therefore being made public on Monday, through a European official.

Beijing's position

On Monday, China suggested, according to Le Figaro, that it could export at least 302,000 hybrids a year to the EU under this consensus. This level is not the one put forward by the European official, who cites 350,000. The Le Figaro article does not explain this difference.

On Saturday, Beijing had also welcomed the trade compromises reached with the EU, particularly on hybrids. China considered that they had made it possible to "avoid an escalation" and marked "a new start."

A sensitive issue

Le Figaro describes hybrids as one of the most delicate subjects between the EU and China. These models have become a major route for Chinese carmakers into Europe, where they compete fiercely with local manufacturers, at the risk of weighing on jobs in the Union.

European industry leaders and officials have for years criticized the influx of cheaper Chinese products, which they hold responsible for sectoral weaknesses and numerous job cuts, notably in the automotive sector. They accuse China of unfair practices: subsidies to companies, currency manipulation and barriers to European companies' access to its market. Beijing disputes these accusations, points to the success of its industry and points to the weaknesses of the European economy.

Analysis: grey areas

This analysis is based solely on the information published. The two sides put forward different figures, 350,000 on one side and at least 302,000 on the other, and the available information does not specify the timetable or the monitoring arrangements. The practical effect of the agreement on carmakers will depend on these points, which remain to be clarified.