According to data released by Jato Dynamics, BYD registered 7,231 new electric vehicles in Europe in April, a 169% year-on-year increase, successfully entering the top 10 electric vehicle brands in Europe by sales. Meanwhile, Tesla's registration volume dropped by 49% during the same period, falling one position in the rankings. When including plug-in hybrid vehicles in the statistics, BYD’s total sales grew by 359% year-on-year, a more significant increase compared to Tesla.
The key factors behind BYD’s breakthrough in Europe lie in its dual advantages of technology and price. Technologically, BYD's full industry chain advantage is remarkable. Its self-developed Blade Battery passed the stringent European nail penetration tests. The company's partnership with Shell has created a charging network covering 300,000 charging stations across Europe, with exclusive discounted electricity rates for users. In addition, its core technologies, such as the e-platform and hybrid technology, have gained global recognition.
In terms of pricing, BYD has successfully tapped into European consumer needs with its “high-end configuration at an affordable price” approach. For instance, the price of BYD's high-end model, the Seal, is 4,000-5,000 euros (approximately 40,000-50,000 CNY) lower than that of the similarly performing Tesla Model 3. As several European countries gradually phased out subsidies for vehicles, BYD gained consumer favor due to its price advantage.
BYD’s "localization strategy" could further enhance its price advantage. With the official launch of BYD's European headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, on May 15, the company will deepen its local presence, including but not limited to establishing R&D centers, expanding cooperation with local universities, and increasing the production capacity of its supporting vehicle manufacturing bases. This localized approach will effectively address tariff risks and further lower costs.
BYD's surpassing of Tesla in the European market marks a profound shift in the global electric vehicle market. In Q1 2025, global electric vehicle sales surpassed 4.1 million units, a 29% year-on-year increase. Among the top 10 global new energy vehicle brands by sales, six are from China, demonstrating the overall advantage of Chinese automakers, led by BYD, in the new energy sector. According to the Berlin University of Technology's Automotive Research Center, if Tesla fails to raise its localization procurement rate to 60% by 2026, its market share in Europe could shrink from 18.7% to 12-15%, losing its leadership in the global electric vehicle market.