Latest European EV sales figures from Jato Dynamics have put into sharp focus the differing fortunes of the two leading EV suppliers, Tesla and BYD. 

Chinese car maker BYD enjoyed a record breaking April with sales 169% up year on year, with sales across 28 European countries of 7,231 units. By contrast Tesla sales were 49% down on 7,165. 

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

Munoz added, “China is not only the world leader in BEVs; its automakers are global leaders in plug-in hybrid vehicles too. To gain traction in Europe, its carmakers have responded to the threat posed by tariffs by focusing on other powertrains, such as plug-in hybrids, to maintain the momentum behind their global expansion plans.”

Across Europe, the figures show that EV and plug-in hybrids accounted for 26% of all new car sales in the April, a new high. Battery EV sales were 184,312 up 28% year-on-year and plug-in hybrids were 97,715, up 31%.

The Renault Clio topped the model sales table in April, with 19,000 units, ahead of the Dacia Sandero, Peugeot and Volkswagen Tiguan.