European EV Sales Surge 39% as Tesla Stumbles in Pivotal Month for Emissions Targets

Battery-electric vehicle sales across Europe jumped nearly 40 per cent in October, providing manufacturers critical momentum as they navigate stringent emissions regulations whilst grappling with intensifying competition from Chinese brands and persistent affordability concerns.

Battery-electric vehicle sales in the European Union increased by 38.6 per cent to 173,173 all-electric cars in October, with market share climbing from 14.4 per cent to 18.9 per cent year-on-year. The surge represents the fourth consecutive month of growth in the broader European new car market, which expanded 4.9 per cent.

Yet the headline figures mask divergent fortunes amongst manufacturers. Tesla sales plummeted 48.5 per cent in October 2025 and are down 30 per cent year-to-date, with the Model Y slipping out of the top 50 models after claiming the September sales crown. The American manufacturer's struggles contrast sharply with Skoda's Elroq, which captured the October sales title with 11,491 registrations—a new record for any Skoda model.

The combined forces of battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and standard hybrid models accounted for roughly 63.9 per cent of all new registrations in October, up from 55.4 per cent a year earlier. Meanwhile, diesel cars saw their market share fall below 10 per cent, with registrations dropping 24.5 per cent year-to-date.

The performance proves particularly consequential as manufacturers face EU emissions compliance pressures. Battery-electric cars accounted for 16.4 per cent market share year-to-date, an increase from 13.2 per cent in the same period of 2024, though ACEA noted this remains "below the pace needed at this stage of the transition".

BYD emerged as the most improved brand, with sales surging over 200 per cent, underscoring Chinese manufacturers' growing foothold in Europe's automotive heartland.