As Europe endures its most severe heatwave on record, daily highs have consistently exceeded 40°C in several countries since late May, driving an unprecedentedunprecedented/ʌnˈprɛsɪdɛntɪd/L3前所未有的；史无前例的never done or known before; without previous example or parallel surge in demand for cooling products. Portable air conditioning units manufactured in China have emerged as the primary beneficiaries of this crisis. The continent’s historically temperate summers have meant air conditioning penetration remains strikingly low; the International Energy Agency reports an ownership rate of merely 20% across Europe. Germany recorded a staggering 41.3°C last Friday, while France reported approximately 1,000 excess heat-related deaths as of Tuesday, highlighting the acute vulnerabilityvulnerability/ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪlɪti/L3脆弱性；易受伤害的状态the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally of populations unaccustomed to such extremes.
Notwithstanding the continent’s historical reliance on passive cooling strategies—such as shading, natural ventilation, and thick-walled insulation—these measures have proven inadequate against sustained high temperatures. Zhang Yuan, an architect in Munich, observed people flocking to air-conditioned libraries and using fountains as makeshift pools, underscoring the absence of cooling infrastructure in homes, schools, and nursing homes. The installation of traditional split-system air conditioners remains complicated, often requiring landlord approval and facing stringentstringent/ˈstrɪndʒənt/L3严格的；严厉的；紧缩的(of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting; imposing rigorous constraints façade regulations, particularly in older buildings. High installation costs, noise concerns, and limited contractor availability have further slowed adoption, creating a market gap that portable units can fill.
Chinese manufacturers have capitalised on this gap, leveraging cost advantages and targeted research and development. Midea’s PortaSplit, specifically designed for Western Europe, has seen sales double to 200,000 units in 2026, priced at €1,000 per device and weighing under 10 kilograms, with quiet operation and no need for professional installation. Dreame’s 400-euro P-Wind portable air conditioner has also experienced strong demand, with weekly sales exceeding 1,000 units since its late May launch. Indeed, a consumer reportedly traveled 200 kilometers across Austria to purchase the last available Midea PortaSplit, while a German software developer built a website tracking real-time inventory across 1,100 stores—currently showing only one store with stock.
The market penetration rate of traditional split-system air conditioners in Western Europe stands at merely 6%, indicating immense latentlatent/ˈleɪtənt/L3潜在的；潜伏的；隐性的existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed demand. Xiong Xueqin, regional sales director of Midea RAC Europe, noted that the market holds substantial growth potential. Consequently, Chinese firms have ramped up production, with units reaching Europe via the China-Europe Railway Express within 15 to 25 days. From January to June 2025, China’s air conditioner exports to EU countries surgedsurged/sɜːrdʒd/L3急剧上升；猛增；激增increased suddenly and powerfully; rose or swelled rapidly 43.2% to $3.76 billion, according to the General Administration of Customs—a figure that underscores the continent’s growing reliance on Chinese cooling technology.
