Tesla's vehicle sales in Europe dropped by a staggering 45% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

The sharp decline follows growing backlash against Tesla CEO Elon Musk, particularly over his role as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Calls to boycott the U.S. electric carmaker have gained traction, with reports of vandalism targeting Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles across the globe.

Musk’s political affiliations—especially his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which focuses on reducing U.S. government spending and jobs—have sparked discontent among European consumers.

Industry Trends Point Elsewhere

While Tesla struggles, the broader electric vehicle (EV) market in Europe is on the rise. EV registrations surged by 23.9% in Q1, capturing a 15.2% share of the market. Meanwhile, overall car sales in the region dipped by 1.9%.

Hybrids remain the leading segment, growing 20.7% year-on-year and now holding a 35.5% market share. Plug-in hybrids saw modest growth, rising 1.1% and representing 7.6% of the market.

In contrast, traditional internal combustion engine vehicles continued their decline. Petrol car sales fell 20.6%, while diesel plummeted 27.1%. Despite the drop, they still make up 28.7% and 9.5% of the market, respectively. Photo by jurvetson (Steve Jurvetson), Wikimedia commons.