BYD Surpasses Tesla in BEV Registrations in Europe for the First Time

BYD has outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time in terms of battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in April, with 7,231 registrations compared to Tesla’s 7,165. This represents a 169% year-over-year increase for BYD versus a 49% decline for Tesla, as reported by Jato Dynamics, which covers 28 European countries. 

Considering Europe’s 1,078,521 new car registrations in April, BYD has become the region’s No. 10 BEV maker. Tesla has now been pushed out of the top ten, with the electric car maker sitting at No. 11.

Why BYD’s European Lead is Significant

Felipe Munoz, global analyst at Jato, stated that BYD’s breakthrough is significant, considering that Tesla has led the European BEV market for years. BYD also only initiated a full European push in late 2022. What’s even more impressive is that if BYD were to consider both its BEV and PHEV sales, its growth would even be more impressive.

“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 said, according to a Bloomberg News report.

BYD’s Global Expansion

BYD’s BEV push is notable, with the automaker also making significant headway in the global BEV segment. According to a report from CNEV Post, BYD has now become the world’s No. 1 BEV company, with a 15.4% share. Tesla is now in second place, with a 12.6% share, as per data from market research firm TrendForce.

BYD is introducing a number of new offerings in Europe, which should help the automaker bolster its position in the region’s BEV segment even more. These vehicles include the BYD Seagull, a compact electric vehicle that has the potential to become a strong seller in the region.

EV.com recognizes BYD’s first-time lead over Tesla in Europe as a significant development in the BEV market. You can explore the best offers on popular electric vehicles and other EVs we have on our listings here.