Tesla’s UK vehicle sales fell sharply in February, highlighting rising pressure from fast-growing Chinese electric vehicle makers and intensifying competition in Europe’s EV market.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed Tesla registrations dropped 37% year-on-year to 2,422 vehicles, down from 3,852 units in February 2025.
The decline comes as Chinese automakers, particularly BYD, rapidly expand across Europe, benefiting from competitive pricing and surging demand for electric vehicles.
Despite Tesla’s slump, the broader UK auto market remained strong. Total new car registrations rose 7.2% to 90,100 units, marking the strongest February since 2004.
The increase was driven largely by a recovery in private retail demand, suggesting improving consumer confidence after a challenging period for the automotive sector.
Separate data from transport research firm New Automotive reported Tesla sales of around 2,208 vehicles in February, nearly half of last year’s level.
Meanwhile, BYD’s UK sales surged, rising between 40% and 83% depending on the dataset, although the Chinese brand still trails Tesla in overall volumes.
Differences between the SMMT and New Automotive figures stem from distinct data sources and calculation methods, highlighting varying approaches to measuring the fast-evolving EV market.
