Tesla UK Market Share Falls Amid Record Month for EV Sales
The electric vehicle (EV) market in the UK is experiencing remarkable growth, even as Elon Musk’s Tesla sees its market share decline. Since the start of this year, Tesla’s presence in the UK EV market has decreased by a quarter despite a record-breaking increase in electric car sales during March.
Surge in EV Sales Across the UK
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the UK saw a substantial rise of 38% in sales compared to this time last year. March marked a particularly significant milestone, with a record 68,255 electric cars sold, reflecting the growing consumer demand for sustainable transport. This figure was achieved during a month traditionally strong for car sales, with BEVs accounting for 19.4% of the total car registrations.
Despite this surge, Tesla’s registrations in the UK showed little change from March of the previous year. Moreover, its market share experienced a dip, a consequence of various high-profile controversies involving its CEO, Elon Musk.
Maintaining Popularity Among Electric Car Brands
In the face of these challenges, Tesla remains the leading electric car brand in the UK by sales, with 12,632 registrations in 2025 and maintaining a market share of 10.69%. The brand is closely followed by BMW, holding a market share of 8.67%, and Volkswagen, which has increased its market presence by capturing an additional 4%, reaching a total of 7.39%.
Impact of New US Tariffs
The report suggests that newly introduced US tariffs are unlikely to have a significant effect on the UK EV market. The reason being, a minimal number of electric vehicles are imported from the United States to the UK. Even Tesla vehicles are predominantly manufactured in Germany and China, bypassing the need for direct US imports.
Effects of UK’s EV Policy
James Court, the director of public policy at Octopus Electric Vehicles, emphasized the significant progress facilitated by the UK’s EV policy. “The UK’s EV policy is paying off – EV sales are surging,” he stated. This momentum is crucial to ensure that drivers continue to reap the benefits of cutting-edge technology, reduced running costs, minimal maintenance, and improved air quality.
Government’s Zero-Emission Targets
The UK government has set ambitious targets to propel the transition to zero-emission vehicles. By 2030, the aim is for 80% of new car sales and 70% of new van sales to be comprised of zero-emission vehicles. This target is expected to reach 100% five years later. While the original policy intended to ban the sale of new diesel cars by 2030, this has been deferred to 2035 to accommodate market adjustments.
The UK’s commitment to fostering a sustainable relationship between transportation and the environment is clear. Despite fluctuations in market share for individual brands like Tesla, the overall upward trajectory of EV sales signifies a promising shift towards cleaner, more sustainable transport solutions in the country.
