BYD declined to comment on the contents of the Amnesty report. Geely was another brand to perform poorly in Amnesty’s rankings, but other big names such as Chery and GWM were not included in the list. GWM UK assured us that it is part of IM (International Motors) Group, which publishes its own statement on issues such as modern slavery. But it’s not quite as straightforward as it might seem, because GWM UK is technically a separate entity to GWM Global. That said, the latter still has a statement on social responsibility in the public domain.

Regardless, Amnesty was keen to remind us that “the ethicality of an EV depends on
the practices of the specific manufacturer, not where it’s based. While some Chinese manufacturers, such as BYD, scored poorly due to a lack of transparency, non-Chinese companies also have significant shortcomings”.

So is a Chinese EV worth buying?

As with the answers to the questions above, whether you should (or shouldn’t) buy a Chinese EV is rather nuanced. Until now, many of the models we’ve tested have been a tad rough around the edges, and there’s also the potential issue of long-term maintenance to consider.

There are a lot of Chinese brands new to or looking to enter the UK market, and it’s doubtful they will all survive for the long term. Some manufacturers already have a better foothold than others, so it’s worth bearing in mind how established a firm is before taking the plunge.

However, with the cost of living rising much faster than wages, value for money is the most important factor for a large proportion of buyers nowadays, and that’s something Chinese EVs can be offered in spades. Secure yourself a compelling lease deal over three-or-so years and you also won’t have to worry about any niggles that might come down the line.

In short, if price isn’t the ultimate deciding factor for you and/or you plan to keep your car for longer than the typical three-year car finance or lease period, it could be safer to stick with the established brands. But if you want all the bells and whistles for the best price, Chinese cars can be very tempting. Just make sure to do your research, and compare finance and insurance quotes, before you sign on the dotted line.

Are you thinking of buying a Chinese built electric car? Let us know in the comments below…