BYD Surpasses Tesla in European Electric Vehicle Sales
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD Co Ltd has outsold Tesla Inc in Europe for the first time, according to a report by JATO Dynamics. In April 2025, BYD registered 7,231 battery-powered electric vehicles (BEV) in Europe, narrowly beating Tesla’s 7,165 units.
This milestone comes as a surprise given Tesla’s long-standing dominance in the European BEV market. BYD, which began expanding its operations beyond Norway and the Netherlands in late 2022, has been gaining traction rapidly. “This is a watershed moment for Europe’s car market,” said Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics.
The demand for electric vehicles in Europe remains robust, with BEV registrations surging 28% in April compared to the previous year. Chinese car brands have been a significant driving force behind this growth, with their registrations increasing by 59% during the same period. This growth occurred despite the EU’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
Tesla’s sales, on the other hand, have been under pressure. The company reported its first annual delivery decline last year and is expected to experience another fall this year following a 13% drop in the first quarter. CEO Elon Musk attributed the decline to production halts for factory retooling and customers waiting for more affordable versions of the new Model Y.
Musk’s political views have also contributed to the backlash against Tesla, with protests in the U.S. and Europe affecting sales. Analysts expect Tesla to rebound, with Musk claiming that sales have already turned around in regions outside of Europe.
The shift in market dynamics is significant, with BYD’s aggressive expansion into the European market challenging Tesla’s long-held position. As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, the competition between these two giants is likely to intensify.
