Tesla has staged a dramatic comeback in Europe, posting an 84 per cent surge in March sales as electric vehicles cemented their position as a mainstream choice for the continent’s motorists, new industry figures reveal.
The resurgence of Elon Musk’s car maker, which endured a bruising 2025, comes against the backdrop of a broader electric boom across Europe, where zero-emission models now account for more than one in five new registrations. For small and medium-sized businesses operating fleets, the shift marks a turning point in the economics of going electric.
Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) shows total new car sales across the continent, including non-EU markets, climbed 11 per cent year-on-year in March to 1.42 million units. First-quarter volumes reached 3.52 million, up 4 per cent on the same period in 2025.
Battery-electric vehicles were the standout performer. March sales leapt 41 per cent to 344,000 units, taking the quarterly tally to 723,000, a 36 per cent increase. EVs commanded 24 per cent of the March market and more than 20 per cent across the full quarter.
Tesla’s own March tally rose 84 per cent, albeit against a weak comparator, with quarterly volumes up 45 per cent to 78,300 units. The American marque’s return to growth comes as Chinese rival BYD continues its aggressive European push. The Shenzhen-based manufacturer, which sells both pure-electric and hybrid models, saw its first-quarter deliveries leap more than 150 per cent to 73,800 units, narrowing the gap on Tesla significantly.
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