The European Union's vote on Friday to impose punitive tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China has drawn criticism for its protectionism and potential damage to the EU economies, according to officials, business leaders and scholars.

The EU conformed its decision to raise tariffs on Chinese EVs, leading to worries this might raise trade tensions.

The European Commission said on Friday it had received enough support in a vote of EU members to impose tariffs of up to 45% on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles in the bloc's highest profile trade case,