Sales of electric cars by Tesla in Europe saw a significant decline of 49 percent in the first two months of the year compared to the same period last year, according to the ACEA manufacturers’ association. One reason for the drop could be attributed to older models, along with potential client resistance due to Elon Musk’s association with US President Donald Trump.
Elon Musk’s involvement in cost-cutting initiatives within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has stirred controversy, leading to vandalism at Tesla dealerships and a decrease in the company’s stock price. Despite a rise in overall electric vehicle sales in the EU, Tesla’s market share dipped to 1.1 percent with 19,046 registrations.
The ACEA emphasized the need for more support such as tax incentives, purchasing benefits, and infrastructure for recharging stations to boost the adoption of battery electric vehicles. Hybrid-electric vehicles remained the dominant segment, with a market share of 35.2 percent, surpassing both petrol and diesel models.