EU countries on Friday gave a definitive green light to hefty additional tariffs on electric cars made in China, despite strong opposition led by Germany and fears it will spark a trade war with Beijing.

The move to introduce tariffs aims to protect the European car industry from being undermined by what EU politicians believe are unfair Chinese-state subsidies on its own cars. Charges of up to 45% are to be enforced on electric cars made in China for the next five years,

Germany's car industry on Friday urged Brussels and Beijing to avert tariffs on imports of China-made electric vehicles through a negotiated deal, after the European Commission received enough support from its member states to implement them.

The European Union is set to vote Friday on a massive tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles that Germany fears could spark a trade war with Beijing. Reuters reported Wednesday that the measure already has enough votes to pass,

Germany has voted against an EU motion to impose heavy tariffs on Chinese EV vehicles, exposing huge schisms within the bloc between major member states.

By Andreas Rinke FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany on Friday will vote against the introduction of European Union tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday.