Zeekr released survey results showing that 53% of drivers across eight European countries would consider buying a Chinese-made electric vehicle. The Chinese automaker commissioned the study to gauge European attitudes toward both EVs and Chinese automotive brands.
The research included 8,000 respondents from the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, and Sweden.
Market Reception Varies by Region
In the United Kingdom – Europe’s second-largest car market after Germany – 59% of respondents said an EV’s country of origin wasn’t important to their purchasing decision.
Sweden showed particularly strong adoption interest. Among Swedish respondents aged 35 to 44, 62% said they’re planning to transition to an EV by the end of 2028.
The survey identified three main barriers preventing EV adoption: purchasing costs, charging expenses, and charging speeds. Range anxiety also ranked as a significant concern.
“The benefits of electric vehicles are widely understood but we appreciate that not every market or every age group is as receptive to them as others,” said Lothar Schupet, acting CEO of Zeekr.
Schupet explained the company’s motivation for conducting the research.
“We wanted to look even deeper into the positive and negative views that consumers across Europe have towards EVs in general and Chinese EVs in particular to better understand the barriers to entry – both real and perceived.”
China’s Technological Advantages
Chinese manufacturers have developed charging technology that significantly outpaces Western competitors. The BYD e-platform reaches peak charging rates of 1,000 kilowatts – double Tesla’s 500kW superchargers.
This technology can add up to 250 miles of range in approximately five minutes.
China’s automated mass production methods enable faster manufacturing and lower pricing compared to many Western automakers. The upcoming Xiaomi YU7 SUV will start under £30,000 in China despite offering up to 681 horsepower and competing with the Tesla Model Y in size.
Several Chinese companies have acquired established Western brands in recent years. Geely – Zeekr’s parent company – owns Volvo, Lotus, and Smart. SAIC controls the MG brand.
Chinese automakers are leveraging these acquisitions to combine their cost advantages and battery technology with established European design and engineering expertise. The strategy appears to be working – many consumers don’t realize some “European” EVs are actually built on Chinese platforms or owned by Chinese companies.
The survey results suggest European buyers are becoming more open to Chinese EVs as concerns about quality diminish and charging infrastructure improves.
