In recent years, Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries – in particular Hungary and Slovakia – have become major recipients of Chinese EV investments. While EV assembly is underway (currently by Volvo/Geely and BYD, with more likely to follow), investments in the battery sector are more substantial. Companies like CATL, Gotion, Semcorp, Sunwoda, Huayou Cobalt, and EVE Power are just a few on the list of those that aim to penetrate the European market by supplying European EV manufacturers with batteries produced in CEE.
Chinese firms have selected this region to leverage their existing operations in Western Europe and enhance their footprint in the broader European market. In this sense, the export-oriented nature of Chinese EV projects is evident. To keep the Chinese EV presence in Europe under control, the EU has recently proposed and enacted a number of protectionist trade policy tools.
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