The report, which Reuters could not immediately verify, cited concerns that Chinese manufacturers are "dumping" subsidised vehicles into Britain. Asked to comment, a British government spokesperson told Reuters that no tariffs have been imposed on Chinese EVs.
"We continue to engage closely with industry so that our approach reflects the sector's and UK's national interests," the spokesperson said in an email.
The move would follow similar actions by other major economies, including the United States and the European Union, which have imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to protect domestic industries. The UK has been cautious, balancing its net-zero targets against the need to support British car manufacturing.
Chinese EV makers, including BYD, have been expanding globally, offering competitive prices that Western automakers say are made possible by state subsidies. Beijing has denied engaging in unfair trade practices.
The UK car industry has warned that a sudden influx of cheap Chinese EVs could undermine domestic production and jobs. However, consumer groups and some analysts caution that tariffs could raise prices for buyers and slow the adoption of electric vehicles, potentially conflicting with the government's climate goals.
No details of the proposed tariff levels have been reported, and the timing of any announcement remains unclear.