Tesla’s UK sales tumbled by more than 60% in April 2025.

Tesla’s UK sales slumped by more than 60% in April, with just 512 vehicles registered compared to 1,352 during the same month last year, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The sharp decline comes amid a broader backlash against CEO Elon Musk, whose political views have sparked controversy and prompted some customers to abandon the brand.

Tesla’s share of the UK car market fell to 0.43% in April, down from 1% a year earlier, even as overall battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rose by 8.1%. The drop in UK demand mirrors a broader trend across Europe, where Tesla sales declined in 2025.

According to research firm Jato Dynamics, the decline in UK sales follows a broader slump across Europe. Tesla’s deliveries fell by 44% on average last month, and the company’s European market share dropped to 9.6%—its lowest for February in five years.

Rising Competition from Chinese Brands: Tesla is also facing mounting pressure from fast-growing Chinese automakers making aggressive moves into the UK market. In April, BYD registered 2,511 vehicle sales—a staggering 650% increase from the previous year—while newcomers Jaecoo and Omoda sold 1,053 and 910 vehicles respectively, rapidly establishing a foothold in the competitive electric vehicle space.

Elon Musk’s close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump: Musk’s day job along with his political stance and push to reduce waste in U.S. government agencies, have triggered protests and acts of vandalism targeting Tesla showrooms and charging stations across both the U.S. and Europe.

Following disappointing first-quarter global sales and profit figures, Musk announced two weeks ago that he would scale back his involvement with the Trump administration to focus more on leading Tesla.

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