Tesla UK Sales Surge Despite Political Controversies

Sales of Tesla vehicles in the United Kingdom rose significantly last month, showcasing the enduring popularity of the electric carmaker despite ongoing controversies surrounding its CEO, Elon Musk. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), nearly 4,000 Tesla vehicles were sold in the UK in February, marking a 20.7 per cent increase compared to the same month last year.

The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y were among the top sellers, ranking as the second and third most popular electric vehicles on the market, trailing only the Mini Cooper. This growth in sales has bolstered Tesla’s market share in the UK, rising from 3.75 per cent in February 2024 to 4.6 per cent in February 2025. These gains come amid a broader decline in the UK car market, which saw a 1 per cent drop in overall registrations during the same period, with 84,054 new registrations recorded.

Battery-electric vehicle sales as a whole have climbed rapidly, surging by 42 per cent year-on-year and accounting for a quarter of all new car registrations in February. The approaching implementation of a new tax on higher-priced vehicles in April seems to have motivated many buyers to act early, benefiting electric vehicle makers like Tesla in the process.

Despite Tesla’s UK success, challenges persist for the company in other regions. In Europe, Tesla sales nearly halved in January, while Chinese figures for February showed a significant 49 per cent fall in both exports and retail sales. Analysts have pointed to factors such as the ongoing Model Y design updates and buyer hesitation due to Musk’s divisive political activities as possible reasons for the declining figures in these markets.

The Tesla CEO, a prominent figure in Donald Trump’s administration, has drawn criticism for his controversial statements and actions. Musk’s public support for far-right parties in Europe and inflammatory accusations against political figures has sparked backlash among some consumer groups. However, these controversies have not yet significantly dented Tesla’s UK performance or its overall stock value, which remains 45 per cent higher than a year ago despite recent volatility.

The SMMT’s CEO, Mike Hawes, cautioned against overanalysing Tesla’s February success. With February being the smallest month of the year for new car registrations, trends can be highly volatile. Nonetheless, the broader increase in electric vehicle adoption remains a positive development for the sector, even as carmakers face challenges in maintaining affordability and managing production costs.