Tesla is having a tough time selling its cars in Europe, even though more people on the continent are buying electric vehicles (EVs). Experts say this is partly because of public opinion around Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, and how he’s seen politically.

New data released on June 24 by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) shows that Tesla’s sales dropped by over 40% in May 2025 compared to the same time in 2024. At the same time, electric car sales in general across Europe rose by 25%.

From January to May 2025, Tesla sold 45.2% fewer vehicles in Europe than it did during the same period last year. Analysts believe many European buyers are turning away from the brand because of Musk’s support for political figures like Donald Trump. Also, more EVs from European and Chinese companies are now available, making it harder for Tesla to stay ahead.

Because of this drop, Tesla’s share in the European car market has fallen to 1.1%, down from 2% a year ago.

Despite Tesla’s decline, electric cars as a whole are doing well in Europe. In the first five months of the year, electric cars made up 15.4% of all vehicles sold—a 26.1% increase from 2024.

However, ACEA’s director general, Sigrid de Vries, said the rise in electric car sales is still not enough. She explained that many people are still unsure about buying EVs, and more support is needed to convince them.

De Vries also mentioned that solving the problem isn’t just about selling more cars. People need better charging options, financial support, and more information about electric vehicles. These steps are necessary to make electric cars more appealing and practical for everyday use.

Even though EV sales are going up, overall car sales in Europe only increased by 1.6% in May. For the entire year so far, car sales are actually 0.6% lower than in 2024. The European Union wants to stop selling new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, but high costs and limited charging infrastructure are making this goal harder to reach.