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Chinese EV giant BYD has overtaken Tesla on two key fronts: monthly electric vehicle registrations in Europe and future readiness scores in a global benchmark report. This marks a shift in the balance of global EV leadership.
In April 2025, BYD outsold Tesla in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) across Europe for the first time. According to JATO Dynamics, BYD registered 7,231 BEVs during the month, compared to Tesla’s 7,165. This narrow lead is significant given Tesla’s long-standing dominance in Europe and BYD’s relatively recent expansion beyond Norway and the Netherlands.
“This is a watershed moment,” said Jato analyst Felipe Munoz. BYD’s presence in Europe has been growing rapidly, supported by competitive pricing and an ambitious rollout strategy. The company plans to launch around 20 new models in the region over the next five years and is preparing to open a manufacturing facility in Hungary to localize production and reduce costs.
In the UK, BYD’s growth is particularly striking. From January to May 2025, BYD registered 14,807 vehicles — a 570% increase year-on-year. Tesla, by contrast, registered 15,002 vehicles, a 7.8% decline over the same period.
The registration figures reflect broader momentum. BYD became the world’s top-selling EV maker in 2023, producing over 3 million vehicles — including 1.6 million battery-only cars. It also outsold Tesla in BEVs during the final quarter of the year.
At the same time, BYD has claimed the top spot in the IMD Future Readiness Indicator 2025. The index ranks companies on their ability to adapt to technological, regulatory and consumer shifts. IMD cited BYD’s vertical integration and battery innovation as key strengths. The company now leads over Tesla, Geely, and Li Auto in the automotive category.
Howard Yu, who leads the IMD research, pointed to BYD’s consolidation of battery and semiconductor production as “decades in the making.” BYD’s ability to manufacture both vehicles and core components gives it a significant advantage as the global EV race accelerates.
Tesla remains a strong player, especially in the U.S., but faces intensifying competition in Europe and Asia. As Chinese brands gain traction globally, the electric vehicle market is entering a more competitive phase — with BYD increasingly setting the pace.
