EV Daily | Tesla's European Sales Drop, BYD's China Surge, and Kia's EV4 Debut at NY Auto Show

【Tesla】

Tesla's sales in Europe have declined significantly, with a 37% drop compared to 2024. The UK is an exception, where sales increased due to lower vehicle prices and a distorted market influenced by company car purchases. Significant declines were noted in Germany and France. Tesla's Model Y faced supply issues during a design change, while Model 3 sales decreased by 11% compared to 2024. Shareholders are urged to address brand issues and competition challenges in Europe. Tesla faced criticism for allegedly gaming the Canadian EV incentive system by filing numerous rebate claims at the last minute. This led to a freeze on $43 million in rebates as the government investigated. Tesla responded, claiming the filings were standard backlog processing, but the situation raised skepticism due to the high volume of claims. Tesla's stock surged despite tariff concerns affecting its energy business, reliant on importing cheap Chinese battery cells. The trade war with China poses threats to Tesla's Powerwall and Megapack production, potentially increasing costs and impacting growth. The company's stock appears to be influenced by meme-like trading rather than fundamentals. Tesla lost a key accounting executive to Archer Aviation just before releasing its Q1 2025 financial results. Harsh Rungta, who played a significant role in Tesla's quarterly financials, joined Archer as SVP Finance & Chief Accounting Officer. His departure comes amid Tesla's leadership changes, including the previous exit of CFO Zachary Kirkhorn.

【BYD】

BYD launched its new Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, featuring ultra-fast charging capabilities based on the 1000V Super e-platform. The Han L has a range of up to 435 miles and the Tang L offers a range of up to 435 miles, with prices starting at $30,000. BYD's impressive sales in China, including 166,109 electric cars sold last month, continue to challenge global OEMs like Volkswagen. BYD surpassed Volkswagen as the top-selling car brand in China last year and sold 416,388 all-electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2025. BYD plans to expand its sales overseas, with forecasts indicating a potential doubling of sales in Europe to 186,000 by 2025. The Seagull EV is now priced under $8,000 as part of BYD's price cuts.

【Others】

Kia is set to debut its first electric sedan, the EV4, at the New York International Auto Show. The EV4 offers two battery options, promising ranges of 237 miles and 331 miles. Kia also announced plans for a midsize EV pickup in North America, expanding its lineup with the EV3, EV4, and EV5 this year, aiming for significant global electrified vehicle sales by 2030. Emporia Energy launched the Pro EV charger, offering speeds up to 9x faster than a standard outlet. The charger utilizes PowerSmart Load Management technology to optimize charging rates based on available household power, providing a cost-effective solution for homes with limited electrical panel capacity. Artemis Technologies is expanding into the US market, providing clean maritime solutions with zero-emission hydrofoil vessels. The company's technology reduces energy consumption significantly compared to traditional vessels. Artemis also offers various vessel designs, including passenger ferries, workboats, and pilot boats, enhancing efficiency and stability. Hyundai is preparing to launch a new electric SUV in China, potentially the IONIQ 4. Teaser videos highlight the vehicle's performance features, and Hyundai plans to expand its EV lineup by collaborating with local suppliers and tech companies to develop models suited for Chinese buyers. Charge point provider char.gy secured a £130 million contract to install curbside EV chargers for Brighton and Hove City Council, providing accessible charging solutions for residents without off-street parking. The project supports the UK's 2030 charging infrastructure targets, with char.gy awarded a long-term maintenance contract. Volkswagen's EV sales doubled in Europe, delivering over 150,000 units in Q1 2025. Despite success in Europe and the US, where sales increased by 51%, Volkswagen faces challenges in the Chinese market. Their top-selling models include the ID.4, ID.5, and ID.3, with new models expected to boost sales further.