Tesla Europe Sales Plummeted By 52% In April

Tesla’s grip on the European electric vehicle (EV) market continues to weaken as sales plummeted by 52.6% in April compared to the same month last year, according to data released Tuesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. In April, the company sold only 5,475 cars in Europe, which points to a drop in interest from consumers even as EVs are becoming more popular.

The decline is not limited to just one month. In the first four months of 2025, Tesla sold 41,677 vehicles in Europe, which was 46.1% less than the same period in 2024. The drop is consistent with previous reports that Tesla sales in Germany and the UK have not been this low in over two years.

Experts in the industry have identified several factors that are causing Tesla’s popularity to drop. While some point to the delayed release of the latest Model Y, others think Elon Musk’s political actions in the United States could be affecting how Europeans view Tesla.

At the same time, Chinese car companies are making significant progress. In April, BYD, a Chinese EV company, became the most popular choice for Europeans who want pure electric vehicles, surpassing Tesla. BYD sold 7,231 fully electric cars in May, just ahead of Tesla’s 7,165, according to JATO Dynamics.

Regional patterns show that people are changing their favorite brands. Mercedes and Volkswagen are still popular choices among German EV buyers. Meanwhile, Spanish and Italian markets are experiencing more interest in Chinese brands such as BYD, Nio, and Xpeng.

The drop in Tesla’s sales in Europe highlights how tough the global EV market is getting and the difficulties American automakers encounter as people’s tastes change. With European buyers looking for other options, Tesla needs to respond fast to stay important in a market it used to dominate.