Tesla's market share in Ireland diminishes

A wider drop in Tesla sales across as Europe has been attributed to a political backlash against its billionaire owner and erstwhile Donald Trump ally Elon Musk.

Sales of Tesla electric vehicles (EVs)  in Ireland have fallen in the first five months of this year and its market share has diminished, despite a general surge in EV sales in the market, figures show.

It comes amid a wider drop in Tesla sales across as Europe, which is being attributed to the “Elon effect” or a political backlash against its billionaire owner and erstwhile Trump ally Elon Musk.

The CSO’s data for January to May show that 1,076 new Teslas were licenced for the first time in Ireland in that period. 

This compared to 1,080 Teslas licenced in the first five months of 2024.

However, while this was a slight drop, it comes as sales of EVs have risen considerably again after nosediving in recent years.

The CSO data shows that 9,548 new EVs were licenced in Ireland in the first five months of 2024.

In the first five months of 2025, however, 11,877 new EVs were licenced. This is a rise of almost 25%.

Meanwhile, while Tesla made up 11.4% of the total number of new EVs licenced for the first time in January to May 2024, its market share has fallen to 9.1% in the same period in 2025.

The CSO began monitoring the make and models of new EVs licenced for the first time in July of 2024.

It added that, since then, there has been a Tesla model in the top five every month with the exception of January and May this year.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, several car dealers in Ireland said that they are seeing a surge in demand for EVs so far this year and that it was surprising to see one make of EV not follow others in seeing higher sales figures.

“Given what we’re seeing in the market, it’s not hard to draw a line between this and what he’s getting up to in America,” one said, referring to Mr Musk.

It comes as other parts of Europe also turn to other brands of EVs according to recent data.

In April, sales of Tesla vehicles in 32 European countries tumbled 49% to 7,261 from 14,228 in the same month the previous year, according to figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.

Elon Musk and US president Donald Trump have had a very public falling out.  Picture: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg

At the same time, sales of battery-electric vehicles by all manufacturers rose about 28%.

Analysts have suggested the brand may have been damaged by Mr Musk’s deep forays into American politics, given his close ties to US president Donald Trump, and further afield such as his support for far-right parties in countries like Germany.

In recent weeks, Mr Musk had a very public falling out with Mr Trump that played out on social media before saying last Wednesday that he “regrets” some of his posts and “went too far”.