Tesla Sales Plummet Across Europe Despite Growing EV Market.
Tesla is facing a serious sales crisis across Europe, even as electric vehicle (EV) demand continues to rise across the continent. According to the latest monthly sales data, Tesla's performance in April was sharply down in several key European markets—including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, and France. The decline highlights growing backlash against CEO Elon Musk, who has become a polarizing figure in Europe much like he has in the United States.
Widespread Sales Declines
Tesla’s April sales in the UK fell an astonishing 62%, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This dramatic plunge comes despite an 8% rise in overall EV sales in the UK during the same month.
The pattern was echoed across the continent:
| Country | Tesla Sales Decline (April 2025) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | -62% |
| Denmark | -67% |
| Netherlands | -74% |
| Portugal | -33% |
| Sweden | -81% |
| France | -59% |
Data sourced from national trade groups and reported by Reuters.
Political Controversy and Consumer Backlash
Tesla’s sales collapse isn’t purely a product of competitive market pressures. Elon Musk’s outspoken political views have sparked protests and alienated a growing number of potential buyers in Europe. His open support for far-right political candidates in Germany and the UK, along with his ties to President Donald Trump’s administration, have drawn strong criticism.
In particular, European consumers are reacting to Musk's backing of proposed U.S. tariffs on European imports—a policy that has angered EU officials and stoked resentment among buyers concerned about economic retaliation.
Competitive Pressure Intensifies
At the same time, Tesla is grappling with intensifying competition in the EV space, especially from Chinese automakers. BYD, one of Tesla’s most aggressive global rivals, is on track to surpass Tesla as the world’s top EV maker this year.
Adding to Tesla’s woes is its continued lack of transparency. The company does not report monthly sales or break down sales by individual markets, and it declined to comment on its April performance.
The challenges Tesla faces are reflected in broader quarterly data as well. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association reported that Tesla suffered a 36% drop in sales across Europe in the first three months of 2025—even as EV sales rose 24% in that same period.
Financially, the company is reeling. In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla posted the steepest quarterly global sales drop in its history. That contributed to a 71% collapse in net income. The company only eked out a profit by selling regulatory credits to legacy automakers.
Gordon Johnson of GLJ Research, a longtime Tesla critic, summed it up bluntly:
“In short, the second quarter of 2025 is (again) shaping up to be a disaster of a quarter for Tesla, following the disaster that was the first quarter.”
Conclusion: Reaping What He’s Sown
The European sales collapse is just the latest chapter in a larger story of decline for Tesla—and much of it can be traced back to Elon Musk himself. His increasingly erratic political interventions, controversial business decisions, and confrontational public persona have alienated customers, investors, and policymakers alike. As EV demand surges and competitors rise, Musk has managed to turn what should be a golden era for Tesla into a self-inflicted crisis. The backlash is deserved. Musk has brought this on himself, and he’s now facing the consequences of years of hubris and miscalculation.
