· 2 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Tesla’s share of European EV sales plummeted by 58% in early 2025, falling from 18.4% to 7.7%, as the company faces growing backlash tied to Elon Musk’s political affiliations
• Concurrently, Chinese EV makers, led by BYD, are rapidly gaining market share across Europe
• Germany, home to a Tesla gigafactory, has become a key centre of anti-Tesla sentiment following Musk’s support for the far-right AfD party
🔭 The context: Tesla's decline comes despite a broader 26% rise in European EV sales this February. A survey of 100,000 Germans found over 94% would no longer buy a Tesla
• Meanwhile, BYD (See sustainability performance) posted a 94% year-over-year sales increase in Germany, despite ongoing EU tariffs on Chinese EVs
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: EV adoption is critical for decarbonising transport, but shifting consumer preferences and geopolitical tensions may influence the pace and players of the transition
• Tesla’s troubles could open more space for European and Asian manufacturers
• Ensuring ethical leadership and supply chain transparency remains crucial in the global clean mobility shift
⏭️ What's next: With Chinese EVs gaining traction and European brands holding strong, Tesla risks losing its foothold in one of the world’s most competitive EV markets
• Political and public relations crises may prompt strategic pivots or localisation efforts
• EU regulatory scrutiny on both US and Chinese EV firms is expected to intensify
💬 One quote: "More than 94 percent of respondents to a recent survey of 100,000 Germans said they would no longer buy a Tesla." – JATO Dynamics survey data
📈 One stat: Tesla sold 15,700 units in Europe last month, compared to nearly 20,000 sold by Chinese EV brands
See here detailed sustainability performance of companies like Tesla and BYD
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