In a significant shift, BYD overtook Tesla in European electric vehicle (EV) sales for the first time, registering 7,231 battery EVs in April compared to Tesla’s 7,165, according toindustry analysts. This milestone highlights BYD’s rapid growth since expanding beyond Norway and the Netherlands in late 2022.

Tesla’s decline is attributed to an aging model lineup, factory retooling for the new Model Y, and the political controversies surrounding CEO Elon Musk, which have sparked protests and hurt the brand’s image in Europe and the U.S.

Despite new EU tariffs on Chinese EVs, demand for them remains strong—registrations rose 59% year-over-year in April, while non-Chinese brands saw a 26% increase. Overall, BEV registrations in Europe grew 28%, driven largely by Chinese automakers.

Analysts expect Tesla’s annual deliveries to drop again this year after a 13% decline in Q1, although Musk claims demand outside Europe remains strong.