The Great EV Split: The fragmentation of a global industry

In 2025, the electric vehicle (EV) transition has become as much a question of trade policy as it is of technological innovation or climate ambition. What began as a vision of cleaner transport is now entangled with tariffs, industrial strategy, and geopolitical rivalry. In the UK, the government has softened its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate under mounting pressure from automakers and external economic shocks. Across the Atlantic, the United States—under President Donald Trump—has imposed sweeping tariffs on automobiles and parts, reshaping global supply chains. Meanwhile, Europe finds itself caught between protectionist impulses and the competitive threat posed by Chinese EV manufacturers.