UK drivers struggle to get insurance for Chinese EVs such as Jaecoo

UK insurers are more hesitant to cover some hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) from China than cars from other countries, research suggests. While some drivers can save money by buying cars made in China, they may have more limited options to get insurance than those buying electric, hybrid and petrol cars from Europe , the US and South Korea. And when policies are available, they can sometimes cost almost twice as much as those for similar petrol vehicles from outside China. Chinese brands such as BYD, XPeng and Jaecoo have become increasingly common on UK roads. In March this year, the Jaecoo 7 was the UK’s bestselling new car . Nicknamed the “ Temu Range Rover ”, it comes as a hybrid and a petrol vehicle. However, figures from sales site Carwow show that sourcing insurance may take some of the sheen off buying a Chinese car. In its survey, half of the requests for quotes were declined. It took four models – the hybrid Jaecoo 7, the XPeng G6, the BYD Seal U and the Skywell BE11 – and asked five insurers for quotes for a 27-year-old man living in Hampshire. Axa declined to give quotes on any of the vehicles, while Hastings Direct only offered coverage on the BYD. Direct Line declined two vehicles and Admiral one, while only Aviva offered cover for all, according to Carwow. Only Admiral and Aviva would cover the XPeng G6, at an average cost of £936 a year – higher than a petrol Hyundai Kona. …