Data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Tuesday showed that Tesla registered 45,513 vehicles in the UK throughout 2025.
The figures represent a 9.6% decline from a year before, when over 50,000 units were sold.
December registrations tumbled 27.3% from a year earlier to 6,286 vehicles, extending the year-over-year decline to a third consecutive month.
Tesla’s strongest sales month in 2025 was September, with 7,993 units sold.
Sales then fell sharply in October, the weakest month of the year, when just 511 units were registered — one fewer than in April.
April, July, and October were the weakest sales months, following strong finishes in the final month of the previous quarter, as is typical in the auto industry.
Competitors Rise
Registration patterns have been similar to the same period last year because shipment and delivery schedules from Tesla‘s GigaBerlin and GigaShanghai factories affect when vehicles arrive.
However, the company’s figures are much lower despite the growing EV adoption rate in the country, as competition in the segment increases.
Chinese automaker BYD, which entered the market two years ago, saw a fivefold surge in sales, rising from 8,788 units to over 51,000. However, this includes both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models.
Sweden-based, Geely-backed Polestar nearly doubled its 2024 figures, with almost 17,000 vehicles registered last year. The UK is one of its strongest markets.
UK EV Adoption
Over 2 million vehicles was registered in the United Kingdom in 2025, of which 473,348 were fully electric.
EVs represented a share of 23.4% in the market — about one in every four vehicles sold in the UK.
SMMT data showed that EV adoption rose 23.9% from a year before. Plug-in hybrids, which accounted for 225,143 units, jumped 34.7% year over year.
On the other hand, purchases of petrol and diesel vehicles declined by 8.0% and 15.6%, respectively, compared to 2024.
Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles still represent over 50% of new vehicle sales in the UK.
The country has an ambitious goal for all new vehicles sold from 2030 to be electric or plug-in hybrid, while planning to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars.
As global incentives for electric-vehicle purchases shift, however, the UK is adjusting its policies not only for buying EVs but also for their use on the road.
From April 2028, electric vehicles will be subject to a “pay-per-mile” road charge, similar to the duty currently applied to internal combustion engine vehicles. The government argues this will create a fairer system for all drivers.
This comes on top of the Vehicle Excise Duty, which began applying to EVs in April this year. The tax starts at £10 in the first year and rises to £195 from the second year onward.
Lineup in the UK
The brand’s lineup includes the Model 3 sedan, which is priced from £39,990 ($54,130), and the Model Y SUV.
The Model Y Standard was introduced in Europe in October and became available in the UK in early December.
The more affordable Model 3, meanwhile, is arriving in European markets but has not yet launched in the UK, where the right-hand drive (RHD) system pushes back its availability.
The entry-level trim of the refreshed Tesla Model Y is priced from £41,990 ($56,840) — £3,000 lower than the previous rear-wheel drive iteration, which has been discontinued.
Customers can still purchase the long-range rear wheel drive and the long-range all wheel drive, which start from £48,990 ($66,300) and £51,990 ($70,370), respectively.
The Model Y Performance is now also available in the country, starting from £61,990 ($83,900).
Customers can lease the Model Y from £299 per month on a 36-month business contract hire, with 12 months’ payment required upfront.
In December, Tesla‘s Model Y was the best-selling EV in the UK and the second-ranked across all powertrains, representing 3,737 out of the total 6,286 units registered by the brand.
It was only below the hybrid Ford Puma, which was also the overall best-seller in the country in 2025.
For inventory purchases of the Model 3 sedan, Tesla is currently offering three months of unlimited Free Supercharging.
Last year, the company discontinued production of right-hand drive units of its two flagship models, the Model S and Model X, likely as it prepared to unveil refreshed iterations of its flagship sedan and SUV.
However, as of January 6, these models are not yet available in the market.
Inventory units of previous iterations, then only available as left-hand drive, sold out between October and November.
