Tesla Cybertruck display at a dealership.
Tesla bucks the trend: Irish sales soar while Europe pulls the plug.
Credit: Shutterstock, Jonathan Weiss
Tesla has hit the accelerator in Ireland, with sales surging by over 30% this year – while the rest of Europe slams on the brakes.
Fresh data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry reveals that 539 Tesla vehicles found new homes in the first two months of 2025, a significant leap from the 412 sold in the same period last year. The charge is led by the Model 3, shifting 428 units, while the Model Y trails at 111.
Europe powers down on Tesla
This Irish boom comes in stark contrast to the European Union, where Tesla sales have taken a nosedive. Figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association show just 7,517 new Tesla registrations across all 27 EU member states in January – nearly half the 15,130 sold in January 2024.
The decline is even more pronounced in Germany, once Tesla’s European powerhouse. In February, the company managed to shift just 1,429 vehicles – a staggering 70% drop from the 6,000 sold in the same month last year.
Political sparks flying over Elon Musk
Industry insiders suggest Tesla’s troubles on the continent could be tied to CEO Elon Musk’s controversial political affiliations. His vocal support for Donald Trump and backing of Germany’s allegedly ‘far-right’ AfD party during election season may have put off European buyers.
Adding to the woes, Tesla has seen its market value nosedive by over a third since mid-December. The company’s record-breaking fourth-quarter deliveries weren’t enough to stop its first annual decline in over a decade.
Musk has also experienced a recent hiccup with his SpaceX programme after a failed launch.
US protests and ‘Tesla rage’
Musk’s political leanings aren’t just making waves in Europe. In the US, Tesla dealerships have been hit by a wave of protests, while some drivers – particularly Cybertruck owners – have reported road rage incidents and even vandalism.
Meanwhile, in California – Tesla’s backyard – sales of the Model 3 plummeted by 36% last year, with registrations falling across all four quarters.
Ireland defies the downturn
Despite small dips in nine counties, most of the country has seen a spike in Tesla registrations. In Dublin alone, 290 new Teslas hit the roads since January – up from 229 in early 2024.
The Irish love affair with electric vehicles remains strong, with EVs now making up nearly 16% of all new car registrations so far this year. While Europe appears to be turning its back on Tesla for now, Ireland might be keeping the faith for the time being.
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