Tesla Sales Plummet in France and Norway

Tesla’s European sales slump continues into the new year, with registrations collapsing in two of the region’s top battery-electric vehicle markets. In France, sales dropped 42% last month to just 661 vehicles—the lowest level in over three years, according to France’s PFA automotive federation (Feb 1, 2026). In Norway—a standout market for Tesla in 2025—registrations plunged 88% in January. Demand weakened across much of Europe in 2025, partly due to backlash against Elon Musk’s collaboration with the Trump administration and his support for far-right figures in countries like Germany and the UK. Tesla also faces intensifying competition from European automakers including Volkswagen AG and Stellantis NV, as well as Chinese manufacturers like BYD Co. France ranked third in EV registrations in Europe last year, behind Germany and the UK—but in January, Tesla sold fewer cars there than Cupra or Jeep. While Norway had been an exception in 2025—posting a 41% registration rise amid policy-change urgency—the government tightened VAT exemption rules last month, triggering a 76% industry-wide EV sales drop. Overall, Tesla’s 2025 European sales fell 27%, even as total battery-EV registrations rose 30% continent-wide.