Tesla European Sales Plummet: Down 88% in Norway, Hit 3-Year Low in France

Tesla (TSLA-US) faces deepening sales declines across key European markets in early 2026, with registrations collapsing 88% year-over-year in Norway and falling to a three-year low in France. The downturn extends a 27% full-year drop in 2025, even as the broader European battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market grew 30%. In January 2026, Tesla registered just 661 vehicles in France, down 42% from a year earlier—the lowest since July 2022—and trailed brands like Cupra and Jeep. In Norway, January registrations plunged 88% following the government’s January 2026 tightening of VAT exemptions for EVs, which triggered a 76% drop in overall auto sales. Analysts cite Elon Musk’s political affiliations and rising competition from Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Chinese automaker BYD as additional headwinds eroding Tesla’s market share.