Sales of Tesla electric cars in Europe plummeted 49 percent in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the ACEA manufacturers' association.

The company recorded just 19,046 new registrations in January and February, giving Tesla a market share of only 1.1 percent in the European Union. In February alone, Tesla's registrations dropped 47 percent, falling to 11,743 vehicles.

Several factors are contributing to the decline, including aging models and potential consumer backlash against CEO Elon Musk. Some buyers may be refusing to purchase Tesla vehicles in protest after Musk became a key supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, with several Tesla dealerships across the U.S. experiencing vandalism in recent weeks.

Despite Tesla’s struggles, overall electric vehicle sales in Europe surged 28.4 percent during the same period, reaching 255,489 units and securing a 15.2 percent market share.

ACEA Director General Sigrid de Vries expressed concern that market demand for battery electric vehicles is still insufficient for the transition to zero-emission mobility. She emphasized the need for tax incentives and investments in charging infrastructure.

Meanwhile, hybrid-electric vehicles continued to dominate the European car market, with 594,059 registrations and a 35.2 percent market share, surpassing both petrol and diesel vehicles.