Germany backs tariff delay on electric vehicle sales between UK and EU

There have been calls to the European Commission for a three-year delay to the electric vehicle tariffs due to come into force in January. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

Carmakers could be in line for a reprieve after it emerged that Germany is backing calls to postpone tariffs on electric vehicle sales between the UK and the EU.

Manufacturers in the UK and on the continent face the prospect of 10% levies on new electric vehicles that cross the Channel from January under the post-Brexit trade deal agreed between Britain and the bloc in 2020.