Tesla’s UK sales more than halved in July, reflecting mounting challenges for the electric vehicle giant.
According to newly released industry data, just 987 new Teslas were registered in the UK last month — a 59.9% decline from 2,462 units in July 2024. As a result, the company’s UK market share dropped to 0.7%, down from 1.67% a year earlier.
Year-to-date, Tesla’s UK sales are now 7% lower than in the same period last year.
The slump comes during a turbulent year for CEO Elon Musk, whose relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump has recently deteriorated, drawing increased public and investor scrutiny.
UK EV Market Grows in July Despite Tesla Slump, as BYD Sales Surge
While Tesla’s UK sales plummeted nearly 60% in July, the broader UK electric vehicle (EV) sector continued to grow, with battery-powered vehicle (BEV) registrations rising by 9.1% to 29,825 units. BEVs accounted for 21.3% of the overall new car market last month.
One of the standout performers was China’s BYD, which quadrupled its UK sales year-on-year. The company sold 3,184 vehicles in July, up from 768 a year earlier — buoyed by the launch of its competitively priced Dolphin Surf model.
So far in 2025, BYD sales are up 514%, with 22,574 units sold between January and July — now only slightly behind Tesla’s year-to-date total of 23,708.
Tesla’s sharp July decline — to just 987 vehicles — follows a broader drop in global quarterly deliveries, linked to slowing demand and growing public backlash over CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations, particularly his now-fractured ties with Donald Trump.
Analysts also point to Tesla’s aging model line-up as a factor in its UK slump. Although the company has begun rolling out the refreshed Model Y “Juniper”, it has yet to introduce a completely new mass-market model.
Adding to the headlines, Tesla this week announced a nearly $30 billion stock option award for Musk, aimed at securing his leadership for the years ahead.
Meanwhile, the UK’s overall new car market contracted in July, with registrations falling 5% to 140,154 units — marking the weakest July since 2022.
