In a groundbreaking development for the European automotive industry, BYD has surpassed Tesla in electric vehicle (EV) sales for the first time in April 2025. According to a report by JATO Dynamics, the difference in registered cars between the two brands was less than a hundred, but analysts consider this a ‘tipping point’ for the European car market.
Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics, noted, ‘Although the difference between the two brands’ monthly sales totals may be small, the implications are enormous. This is a watershed moment for Europe’s car market, particularly when you consider that Tesla has led the European BEV market for years, while BYD only officially began operations beyond Norway and the Netherlands in late 2022.’
Tesla’s electric car sales plummeted by 49% in April, while BYD saw a remarkable 169% increase over the same period. This surge is attributed to BYD’s broad and competitive range of all-electric cars and hybrids. The Chinese automaker has managed to outsell some European manufacturers, with its cars selling better than Fiat, Dacia, and Seat in the UK. In France, BYD overtook Fiat and Seat, while in Italy and Spain, it surpassed Seat and Fiat, respectively.
These achievements come despite the European Union imposing additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles earlier this year. Many Chinese automakers, including BYD, have expanded their offerings to include hybrids, which are not subject to these tariffs. Munoz added, ‘China is not only the world leader in BEVs; its automakers are global leaders in plug-in hybrid vehicles too. To gain traction in Europe, its carmakers have responded to the threat posed by tariffs by focusing on other powertrains, such as plug-in hybrids, to maintain the momentum behind their global expansion plans.’
JATO Dynamics also reported that in April, fully electric cars and hybrids accounted for 26% of new car registrations in Europe, a new record. Chinese automakers are driving this growth, with their electric car registrations increasing by 59% compared to last year, reaching 15,300 units. Hybrid registrations saw a staggering 546% growth to 9,649 cars, up from 1,493 in April 2024.
This development comes as BYD continues to expand its presence in the European market. The company recently launched a new electric car, the Dolphin Surf, priced from €22,990 with a range of up to 507 km.
