BYD sold 7,231 electric vehicles in Europe in April, while Tesla sold 7,165 cars, according to data from Jato Dynamics, cited by the FT. This is the first time that the Chinese company has surpassed the North American company in the sale of electric cars.

This overtaking comes at a time when the Chinese company continues to assert itself in the region, while Tesla faces a crisis. In the first three months of the year alone, Musk's company's sales fell 45% in the first quarter of the year compared to the previous year, while total electric car registrations increased by an average of 12%, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reported.

Several Chinese car companies have been investing in Europe, forcing companies in the region to develop more affordable models to compete with Chinese competitors.

According to data from the same automotive consultancy, new registrations of electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturers in Europe rose 59% in April, to 15,300 units.