Chinese automaker BYD outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time in April, marking a milestone in the region’s electric vehicle market as sales of battery EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs continue to surge, according to new data from JATO Dynamics.

Overall passenger car registrations across 28 European markets remained stable, with 1,078,521 units registered in April, only 1,399 more than in the same month last year.

Year-to-date figures show a similarly flat trend, with registrations between January and April totaling 4,467,681 units, up by just 0.1 percent year-on-year.

EV Segment Gathers Pace

EVs were a key growth driver, with BEV registrations rising 28 percent and PHEVs up 31 percent compared to April 2024. Together, they represented a record share of 26 percent of new car registrations.

BEVs accounted for 17 percent, while PHEVs captured 9 percent, up from 13.4 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively, a year ago.

“While the electric vehicle segment was a bright spot for Europe’s new passenger car market last month, these gains were offset by significant declines among ICE vehicles,” said Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics. “EV sales need to grow much faster to have a genuine impact on the wider European car market.”

Chinese automakers played a major role in the EV growth. Despite facing new EU tariffs, Chinese brands saw their BEV registrations climb 59 percent to nearly 15,300 units, while their PHEV registrations skyrocketed 546 percent to 9,649 units.

Chinese carmakers now account for almost 10 percent of Europe’s PHEV market.

BYD Tops Tesla in a European First

In a sign of the shifting competitive landscape, BYD registered more pure electric cars than Tesla in Europe for the first time.

Tesla’s sales plunged 49 percent year-on-year in April, while BYD saw a 359 percent increase, thanks to a growing range of competitively priced EVs and plug-in hybrids.

“Although the difference between the two brands’ monthly sales totals may be small, the implications are enormous,” Munoz said. “This is a watershed moment for Europe’s car market.”

BYD’s momentum is evident across major markets. In the UK, it outsold Fiat, Dacia and Seat; in France, it topped Fiat and Seat; and in Spain, it surpassed Fiat — all before its new manufacturing facility in Hungary begins production.

Model Rankings: Clio Reclaims the Top Spot

The Renault Clio was Europe’s most registered car in April, with 19,000 units, marking its first return to the top of the charts since June 2020. It displaced the Dacia Sandero, which led in 2024.

Volkswagen’s Tiguan had a strong showing in fourth place with 16,300 units, up 32 percent year-on-year. Other notable performers included the Toyota Yaris Cross, Dacia Duster, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, and Jeep Avenger.

In the BEV segment, Skoda’s new Elroq led with 8,000 units, followed by three Volkswagen models. The VW ID.7 saw a notable 640 percent surge in registrations. Renault’s newly launched Renault 5 and Kia’s EV3 also entered the top ten.

Meanwhile, sales of Tesla’s Model Y and Volvo’s EX30 fell sharply, down 53 percent and 57 percent, respectively.

While overall growth in Europe’s car market remains flat, the EV segment continues to evolve rapidly. With Chinese automakers adjusting their strategies to circumvent tariffs and diversify offerings, and European brands introducing new models, the competition in the EV space is set to intensify through the remainder of 2025.