BMW Overtakes Tesla in European EV Sales – A Change in the Wind?

BMW Surpasses Tesla in European EV Sales

Tesla has been the standard for electric vehicle (EV) supremacy in Europe for years, but the trend is reversing. The sales figures for February leave no doubt: BMW has overtaken Tesla in EV registrations across the continent, a milestone moment in the battle for electric supremacy.

BMW Overtakes Tesla in EV Sales

For JATO Dynamics, BMW and MINI, its subsidiary, logged almost 19,000 battery-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries in February, while Tesla fared poorly with just short of 16,000—marking a quick 44% year-over-year fall for the US automaker. Meanwhile, BMW's diversified model lineup, ranging from the lower-end iX1 to the high-end i7, has drawn brand enthusiasts as well as newer EV buyers.

A Changing European EV Market

Tesla's slump is not occurring in a vacuum. The broader European EV market expanded by 28.4% during the first two months of 2025, with BEVs representing 15.4% of all vehicle sales. In contrast, the move away from internal combustion engines continues, with petrol and diesel vehicles now occupying only 38% of the market—a sharp decline from 48.4% last year.

Why Is Tesla Losing Market Share?

Some reasons for Tesla's losses in Europe are:

• Limited Model Lineup: With Tesla relying on a handful of stalwarts, any production halt or model updates affect sales. The coming Model Y refresh, for example, has been cannibalizing demand for the current model.

• Political Scandal: CEO Elon Musk's public support of far-right parties in Europe may be repelling some customers.

• Increased Competition: Legacy automakers and new Chinese players are offering solid alternatives at competitive prices. BMW, Volkswagen, and BYD are all gaining ground with their expanding EV offerings.

The Emergence of BMW and Chinese EV Brands

BMW's success at surpassing Tesla isn't only about Tesla's failures—it's about BMW's strategic expansion. The Bavarian company has been quietly building its BEV range, with six new EVs planned over the next two years under its Neue Klasse program. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers like BYD and SAIC's MG have made impressive ground, together outselling Tesla last month.

The Road Ahead

While Tesla's troubles in Europe are clear, it would be premature to count them out entirely. The company remains a power to be dealt with in the international EV market and should bounce back with new vehicles and potential price reconfigurations. However, BMW's momentum—and that of Volkswagen's and Chinese automakers—shows the European EV market turning away from Tesla's early-day dominance.