EU car sales +1.6 percent in May, but Tesla still down despite electric growth

Brussels –Tesla registrations continued to fall sharply in May in the European Union, not benefiting from the strong growth in the electric car market. The American manufacturer, which seems to have suffered in recent months from the stance of its CEO Elon Musk — who has echoed the stance of President Donald Trump, of whom he was an adviser until recently — sold 40.2 percent (pct) fewer cars last month than in May 2024, according to monthly statistics from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). In the first five months of the year, Tesla registrations were down 45.2 percent year-on-year in a virtually stable market (+1.6 pct). The manufacturer now holds only 1.1 pct of the European market, compared to 2 pct a year earlier.

However, since January, registrations of all-electric cars increased by 26.1 pct year-on-year, reaching a market share of 15.4 pct in the EU. This figure, however, is “far from what it should be,” commented Sigrid de Vries, Director General of ACEA. The EU plans to ban sales of internal combustion vehicles by 2035 but has just relaxed the rules imposed on manufacturers regarding CO2 emissions to avoid fines this year. The growth of the electric vehicle market “is still very gradual and uneven between countries,” lamented de Vries.

In Germany, this sector grew by 43.2 pct but declined by 7.1 pct in France from January to May year-on-year. While internal combustion vehicles (petrol and diesel) are no longer attractive to European buyers, falling from a market share of 48.5 pct in January-May 2024 to 38.1 pct since the beginning of 2025, hybrids (including plug-in hybrids) now account for 43.3 pct of registrations. In terms of groups, Volkswagen (which includes Audi, Škoda, Seat, and Porsche) continues to lead European registrations, with a 27.4 pct market share and a 4.8 pct year-on-year increase in registrations since January.

The German giant is followed by Stellantis, which has seen its registrations drop 10 pct since the beginning of the year and has a new CEO, Italian Antonio Filosa. The Franco-Italian-American group (Peugeot, Fiat, Opel, etc.) now holds only 16.5 pct of the European market (-1.7 pct points). In third position, Renault (together with Dacia and Alpine), which will also change leadership after the announced departure of Luca De Meo, has a market share of 11.3 pct in the first five months of the year, with registrations up 6.6 pct year-on-year.

(In collaboration with the Gea Agency).