“The issue I think most people are concerned about ... cost and competitiveness.

“We have very robust measures in this country, with a trade remedies regime which deals with not just the car industry but all markets, about making sure we have fair international trade, and that we don’t have dumping or unfair subsidy.

“So I think we have a good legal structure. That is the structure that will make sure that that competition is fair and that there’s a level playing field.”

The Transport Minister says he needs to see as many producers as potential within the EV market.

He added: “The important thing is it’s a fair, competitive landscape.

“I know if the competition is fair, British manufacturers are absolutely at the table and we’ll be able to compete with anybody in the world both domestically, but also exporting technology around the world.”

Harper’s remarks are the primary public acknowledgement by a minister that the UK may resort to commerce tariffs if Chinese vehicles are discovered to have benefited from giant state subsidies.

China’s central and native governments have subsidised home EV companies to the tune of $100bn (£78bn) since October 2009, in keeping with a examine by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Claims have prompted an anti-subsidy investigation by the EU, which may put stress on the UK authorities to behave whether it is discovered that Chinese manufacturers have acquired an unfair benefit.