European Union member states on Friday voted in favor of the European Commission's proposal to impose definitive tariffs on battery electric vehicles from China.

The European Union will impose tariffs of up to 45% on China-made electric vehicles next month, despite objections from Germany, its largest economy. The move, backed by 10 EU members, comes after a year-long investigation into what the EU sees as unfair Chinese subsidies. The tariffs are expected to cost carmakers billions over five years.

European Union member countries agreed Friday to proceed with the imposition of tarrifs on Chinese electric vehicles exactly one year after launching a probe into whether Beijing was subsidizing its domestic EV industry.