Tesla sales in January bucked European electric car sale trends, which grew by more than a third in the month, according to trade body Acea, external.

Instead, Tesla sales across the EU, EFTA and the UK fell more than 45%, and more than 50% in the EU alone.

It comes after Tesla sales fell last year for the first time in more than a decade as demand faltered and rivals gained pace.

The main factor in the January sales slump was likely to be increasing competition, AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said.

Chinese manufacturer BYD has been making big strides, in part because it includes as standard some features which cost extra from other makers, Mould said.

However, some car buyers may also be taking a “principled stand” on Musk’s political interventions, he said.

Musk has made waves in the US with his involvement in slashing US development funds and efforts to drastically reduce US federal funding.

In the UK he supports jailed far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and repeatedly criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Musk also supports the far-right AfD party in Germany, and congratulated its leader after the party’s record second-place result in elections.