Buying An Electric Or Hybrid Car In Brazil Will Be Costly In 2026 As Import Tax Reaches 35% And Changes In The National Automotive Market

The New Phase of Taxation Will Raise the Cost of Electrified Vehicles, Pressure Prices for Consumers, and Accelerate Domestic Production Amid Competition with Chinese Brands

Buying an electric or hybrid car in Brazil is expected to become significantly more expensive starting in 2026, and the reason is directly linked to the tax policy adopted by the federal government. At the beginning of the second half of the year, the import tax for electrified vehicles will reach the ceiling of 35%, a percentage defined back in 2024 and now entering its final phase of application.

Since January 2024, imported electric and hybrid cars have been subject to the import tax in the country again. The reintroduction of this charge was planned gradually with the primary goal of stimulating domestic production of these models, in addition to reducing dependence on vehicles imported from abroad.

Currently, the rates implemented in July 2025 remain in effect. Conventional hybrid cars pay 30% in import tax, while plug-in hybrids are taxed at 28%. Fully electric vehicles face a rate of 25%. However, this scenario will change in July 2026, when all these categories will incur the maximum rate of 35%.

The information was disclosed by specialized automotive industry websites and confirmed by official government statements, which classify the measure as strategic for strengthening the national industry.

Automakers Accelerate Production in Brazil to Escape the Tax

The progressive increase in taxes is seen as a protectionist action to curb the advance of imported models, especially those from China, which arrived in Brazil at aggressive prices and quickly gained market share. In response, some automakers have begun investing in local assembly of electrified vehicles.

BYD is already assembling models like Dolphin Mini, King, and Song Pro in Brazil. In addition, the Chinese manufacturer confirmed that it will also begin assembling the Song Plus at the Camaçari facility in Bahia later this year.

Another significant move comes from GWM, which produces the hybrid SUV Haval H6 at its factory in Iracemápolis, inland São Paulo, located at the site where a former Mercedes-Benz unit operated. Chevrolet has also confirmed the national production of the Spark, with manufacturing planned for the city of Horizonte in Ceará.

For consumers, the impact is likely to be direct: imported electrified vehicles are expected to face stronger price adjustments starting in 2026, while models assembled in Brazil may become the more affordable option for those wishing to enter the electric and hybrid car market.

With information from: CNN Brasil

Sign up

Connect with

Access

I allow you to create an account.

When you first accessed our site using a Social Access button, we collected your public profile information shared by the Social Access provider, based on your privacy settings. We also obtained your email address to automatically create an account for you on our website. Once your account is created, you will be logged into that account.

I disagreeI agree

Notify of

new follow-up comments new responses to my comments

Label

Name*

E-mail*

Save my data for the next time I comment.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser's cookies for the next time I comment.

ONESIGNAL ID

ONESIGNAL ID

I allow you to create an account.

When you first accessed our site using a Social Access button, we collected your public profile information shared by the Social Access provider, based on your privacy settings. We also obtained your email address to automatically create an account for you on our website. Once your account is created, you will be logged into that account.

I disagreeI agree

Label

Name*

E-mail*

Save my data for the next time I comment.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser's cookies for the next time I comment.

ONESIGNAL ID

ONESIGNAL ID

0 Comments

most recent

older Most voted