BYD overtakes Tesla in Europe as EV sales surge in April

Chinese automaker BYD has outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time, marking a major milestone in the region’s evolving electric vehicle (EV) landscape. The shift comes amid a record-breaking month for plug-in car sales and a relatively stable overall market, according to the latest data from JATO Dynamics covering 28 European nations.

In April 2025, new passenger car registrations in Europe totalled 1,078,521 units, virtually unchanged from the same month in 2024. Year-to-date figures remained similarly flat, with 4,467,681 vehicles registered between January and April, just 6,560 more than the same period last year.

Despite this overall stagnation, the electric vehicle segment continues to be a “bright spot”. Registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) jumped by 28%, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) rose by 31% compared to April 2024. Together, BEVs and PHEVs accounted for a record 26% of total new car registrations in Europe, with BEVs making up 17% and PHEVs 9%.

China’s influence in the EV segment was particularly striking. Chinese automakers saw a 59% year-on-year increase in BEV registrations last month, reaching nearly 15,300 units. In the PHEV category, Chinese brands recorded a staggering 546% surge, now making up nearly 10% of all PHEV registrations in Europe.

Among Chinese manufacturers, BYD stood out. In a significant development, BYD registered more pure electric cars than Tesla in Europe for the first time. Tesla’s sales plunged 49% year-on-year in April, while BYD saw a meteoric 359% increase, driven by its expanding range of competitively priced BEVs and PHEVs.

“Although the difference between the two brands’ monthly sales totals may be small, the implications are enormous,” said Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics.

“This is a watershed moment for Europe’s car market, particularly when you consider that Tesla has led the European BEV market for years, while BYD only officially began operations beyond Norway and the Netherlands in late 2022.”

BYD’s growing presence has already disrupted established players. In the UK, BYD has outsold Fiat, Dacia, and Seat. In France, it has overtaken Fiat and Seat; in Italy, Seat; and in Spain, Fiat. And this momentum comes even before the brand’s new manufacturing facility in Hungary becomes operational.

In terms of individual model performance, the Renault Clio returned to the top of the European sales chart for the first time since 2020, with 19,000 units registered. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Tiguan made waves with a 32% increase in registrations, landing in fourth place.

In the BEV space, Skoda’s new Elroq SUV topped the chart with 8,000 units, followed by three Volkswagen models. The Volkswagen ID.7 saw an explosive 640% increase, and Renault’s recently launched Renault 5 also performed well with over 5,600 units. Notably, sales of the Tesla Model Y and Volvo EX30 slumped by 53% and 57%, respectively.

As Chinese automakers continue to adapt to EU tariffs by diversifying into plug-in hybrids, industry analysts are watching closely to see whether European regulators will respond with further trade measures. For now, BYD’s breakthrough month is being seen as a turning point in the battle for dominance in Europe’s EV market.