Decision opposed by five countries including Germany, where car firms say it could be ‘fatal’ blow for industry

• Carmakers ramp up pressure on chancellor for EV sales subsidies

EU leaders have given the green light to extra tariffs on electric vehicles from China despite opposition from five countries including Germany, where car manufacturers condemned the decision as a potential “fatal” blow for the auto industry.

The European Commission – which provisionally approved the step in June after an inquiry found that Beijing’s state aid to auto manufacturers was unfair – now has free rein to impose steep tariffs for five years from the end of this month.