Sales of new Tesla electric cars in the Netherlands fell by 61% in March compared with the same month last year, and are down 50% over the first three months of 2025.

Overall, new car sales fell by 10% in the first quarter, while sales of electric vehicles dropped by 9%, according to new figures from motoring organisations Bovag and Rai Vereniging.

In March, 1,536 new Teslas were sold, despite the launch of a new model. Dealers had earlier suggested that potential buyers may have been holding out for the improved Model Y, which could explain the previous decline in sales.

Tesla has been facing major problems due to chief executive Elon Musk’s involvement in US politics and in Europe, particularly his support for the far right Afd in Germany. “Tesla Takedown” demonstrations were held in three Dutch cities last weekend.

The figures show that 3,443 Teslas were sold in the first quarter of 2025 — nearly half the number sold in the same period last year. Nevertheless, the Model 3 and Model Y remain the second and third most popular electric vehicles.

Sales of Teslas have fallen across Europe, with a drop of up to 70% reported in Belgium.

In February, second hand car seller Gaspedaal.nl said the Tesla Model 3 is no longer the second most popular second-hand car in the Netherlands, having dropped to fourth place behind Hyundai, Volvo, and Audi.