Image: Tesla
Tesla’s sales story in Europe took on a split personality in November, with steep declines across several major markets contrasted sharply by unprecedented demand in Norway. According to new registration data reported by Reuters, Tesla saw year-over-year drops of more than 50% in France and Sweden, as well as double-digit declines in Denmark, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. The pullback comes as the automaker continues to face intensifying competition, mixed consumer sentiment, and an aging lineup in a crowded European EV market.
Registrations fell 58% in France to 1,593 units and 59% in Sweden to 1,466 vehicles. Denmark saw a 49% drop, while the Netherlands slid 44% and Portugal fell 47%. Even Spain — one of Tesla’s more stable European markets in recent years — saw a 9% decline. Tesla’s overall European market share has now dipped to 1.6% year-to-date, down from 2.4% over the same period last year, underscoring a broader cooling trend for the brand across the region.
However, the picture looks entirely different in Norway. The country — already the world leader in EV adoption — has become Tesla’s strongest market anywhere in Europe this year. Registrations in November surged nearly 175% to 6,215 units, enough for Tesla to break the all-time annual sales record for any carmaker in Norway with a full month still to go. The Model Y and Model 3 were the nation’s two best-selling vehicles last month, across all brands.
The Norwegian Road Federation noted that Tesla sales are up 34.6% year-to-date, and unlike much of Europe, there is “no sign of Tesla shame” among buyers there. Instead, pricing, technology, and safety remain top priorities for Norwegian drivers, as well as looming changes to the country’s EV tax incentives that are pushing buyers to act before January 1.
Meanwhile, Tesla has been navigating turbulence across Europe throughout 2025, with repeated swings in market performance. The company saw rebounds as recently as September in countries like Denmark, where the Model Y topped sales charts, but November’s data paints a more challenging picture in the region.
All of this comes as Tesla continues its push to win regulatory approval for Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on European roads. The company has been encouraging owners to help lobby for approval and recently began offering FSD ride-alongs in select European cities, giving customers a firsthand look at Tesla’s latest driver-assistance capabilities.
Despite sharp November declines in much of Europe, Tesla’s record-setting performance in Norway offers a significant counterweight — and a reminder of the brand’s remaining strength in markets where EV adoption and incentives are aligned with its technology roadmap.
