Tesla is on track to become the leader in EV registrations in the UK during the first quarter, after Ford dominated the segment in the first two months of the year.
According to vehicle registration data tracked by platform EU-EVs and X user ‘piloly,’ the Elon Musk-led company registered 3,576 vehicles in the UK between March 1 and 17.
Data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed 5,310 registrations between January 1 and February 28.
The figures indicate that Tesla‘s preliminary first-quarter total stands at 8,877 units.
Ford, which sold 13,596 vehicles across all powertrains in January and February, recorded 4,692 battery electric registrations in the same period, according to EU-EVs.
With 2,166 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered in the first 17 days of March, the Detroit automaker’s first-quarter total now sits at 6,858 — over 2,000 units behind Tesla.
SMMT Data
Tesla registered 718 vehicles in the UK in January 2026 — a 50.8% decline from 1,458 units in January 2025.
February brought a fourfold sequential jump to 3,140 registrations.
However, that figure was still 40.9% below the same month a year ago, as the company continues to face weakening demand across Europe.
The year-over-year decline has now extended to a fifth consecutive month.
Tesla registered 45,513 vehicles in the UK throughout 2025, a 9.6% decline from the prior year, when more than 50,000 units were sold.
September was the strongest sales month of the year, with 7,993 units.
Sales then dropped sharply in October to just 511 registrations — the weakest month of 2025, one unit fewer than April.
As is typical in the auto industry, April, July, and October were consistently the softest months, following strong finishes in the final month of each prior quarter.
These registration patterns are largely driven by the logistical timing of shipments and deliveries from Tesla‘s Giga Berlin and Giga Shanghai factories.
UK’s EV Adoption
Tesla‘s declining figures come despite the UK’s growing electric vehicle adoption rate and increasing competition in the segment.
In February, BEVs accounted for 24.2% of total new vehicle sales — meaning nearly one in four cars bought last month was fully electric.
The EV market share rose 2.8% year over year.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) posted the largest jump, rising 43.5% year on year to an 11.6% market share.
The UK has set an ambitious target for all new vehicles sold from 2030 to be electric or plug-in hybrid, and plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars entirely.
Policy Shifts Ahead
As global incentives for electric vehicle purchases evolve, the UK is adjusting its approach — not only for buying EVs but also for their use on the road.
Starting in 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 says the measure will create a fairer system for all drivers.
The measure follows the introduction of the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for EVs, which came into effect in April 2025.
It starts from £10 in the first year and rises to £195 from the second year onward.
Lineup
The brand’s lineup includes the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y SUV.
The Model Y was the UK’s best-selling EV in 2025, followed by the Model 3 in second place, according to SMMT data.
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, arrived in the UK market in January, lowering the entry-level price of the sedan to £37,990 ($50,700).
The Rear Wheel Drive (previously named Standard) variant of the refreshed Tesla Model Y is priced from £41,990 ($56,000).
Customers can still purchase the long-range rear wheel drive and the long-range all wheel drive, which start from £48,990 and £51,990, respectively.
The Model Y Performance is now also available in the country, starting from £61,990 ($82,700).
Customers can lease the Model Y from £299 per month on a 36-month business contract hire, with 12 months’ payment required upfront.
Tesla is also offering one year of Unlimited Free Supercharging on selected inventory units of the Model 3, alongside 0% APR, available until March 31.
According to EU-EVs, the Model 3 was the best-selling EV among its competitors between March 1 and 17, with the Tesla SUV following suit.
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.
Inventory units of previous iterations, then only available as left-hand drive, sold out between October and November.
As the company announced that it would stop producing the two models this year, transitioning its production lines for manufacturing of its Optimus humanoid, the two modelds were removed from the British website.
