Electric cars cost much more in Spain than in China. Spanish buyers pay 52% more on average for an EV than drivers in China, a difference of 10,200 euros per car, PwC Autofacts says. The average price in Europe is 29,800 euros, compared with 19,600 euros in China.
European carmakers have begun rolling out cheaper electric models, while Chinese brands entering the market have pushed established companies to rethink their prices. But the figures show the gap is not closing quickly. PwC’s study covers registrations in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. It uses German entry prices for comparison, excludes VAT and focuses on July 2026 data.
Chinese electric vehicles imported into Spain face a 10% customs duty. Depending on the brand, additional anti-dumping or compensatory tariffs also apply, followed by 21% VAT. These charges significantly raise the final price for Spanish buyers.
China leads the world in affordable electric cars. Four of the ten top-selling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in China during the first half of the year started below 10,000 euros: the Geely EX2, BYD Yuan Up, Wuling Hongguang Mini EV and Changan Nevo Q05. The MG4 launched at just 7,900 euros. China’s best-seller, the Geely EX2, sold 194,159 units and started at 7,400 euros. In Europe, the Tesla Model Y led the market, selling 61,379 units at a German entry price of 33,600 euros. That’s almost four times as much as China’s top seller.
The two markets, but, are selling different kinds of cars. China’s market is packed with budget electrics for the masses, while most sales in Europe remain in higher-priced segments. That is the basic reason for the price gap. The average remains high even with newer models such as the Renault 5 (23,500 euros), Citroën ë-C3 (16,900 euros) and Leapmotor T03 (15,900 euros). Some entry-level EVs priced below 20,000 euros are now available in Spain, but most sales are still for pricier trims and models.
Prices are shifting, but the gap persists. In the first quarter, PwC found that the average price of the ten best-selling electric cars was 30,600 euros in Europe and 21,100 euros in China. In the second quarter, Europe’s average fell to 29,800 euros, while China’s dropped further, to 19,600 euros. The 10,200-euro gap remained unchanged. Sector analysts attribute Europe’s higher average to a sales structure that favors higher-priced cars, rather than to one expensive model. China has a much deeper affordable segment.
In 2026, Spain launched the Plan Auto+ program, offering subsidies for electric and electrified vehicle purchases. The initiative is expected to partly ease the price barrier for Spanish consumers, although many of the lowest advertised prices for new EVs still depend on financing or special conditions.
Spain is not alone in facing high EV prices. The wider European market faces the same situation, as a recent report on new brands entering Spain shows. Europe’s reliance on imported raw materials for EV production keeps costs high, even as more models and brands compete. Industry experts in leading automotive publications say Chinese brands are putting the most pressure on EV prices in Europe. European makers are adjusting their prices, but the structural gap remains.
Chinese buyers can choose from many affordable electric cars, while Spanish and European buyers remain shut out of the lowest price brackets. Until Europe addresses its supply chain and production costs, truly affordable electric cars will remain out of reach for many. PwC’s figures show that the price revolution in electric vehicles is happening in China, not Spain.
