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EU Cars: Quotas to Test India Market First
8 Mar
Summary
- EU will use export quotas to gauge India's premium car market.
- Import duties on EU cars to drop from 70-110% to 30-35%.
- Electric vehicle tariffs remain high for five years under the deal.

The European Union is set to leverage export quotas, secured through a recently finalized free trade agreement with India, to initially test the Indian premium car market. This strategy precedes any commitment to substantial investments in local manufacturing facilities within India.
Under the agreement, import duties on completely built units from the EU will see an immediate reduction from 70-110% to 30-35%, with further phased reductions planned over five to ten years, reaching 10%. These concessions are capped by an annual quota of 2.5 lakh vehicles and a minimum price floor of €15,000.
Crucially, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are excluded from duty concessions for the initial five years, maintaining tariffs up to 110%. This measure aims to shield India's developing domestic EV ecosystem and battery manufacturing capabilities.
The India-EU FTA is anticipated to be implemented by early 2027, pending necessary approvals in both regions. Discussions with automotive manufacturers indicate satisfaction with the safeguards incorporated into the final deal.




