The European Commission is accelerating its review of Chinese plug-in hybrid imports, responding to intensifying lobbying from European automakers.
Volkswagen has emerged as a leading voice urging the bloc to extend its existing tariff regime, which currently targets battery-electric vehicles, to include hybrids.
Commission insiders and industry representatives indicate that the regulatory body is moving faster than previously anticipated to address what it views as a growing competitive imbalance.
This development marks a significant escalation in the trade dispute between the EU and China.
While previous measures focused on pure electric vehicles, the inclusion of plug-in hybrids would close a loophole that Chinese manufacturers have increasingly exploited to access the European market.
The move reflects the growing frustration among German carmakers, who argue that current protections are insufficient to shield them from aggressive pricing strategies by state-backed Chinese rivals.