Popularity has plummeted in markets like Germany, a country still haunted by its fascist past, where Tesla's share of EV sales plummeted to just 3.7% last month versus 14% a year earlier.

China's BYD for the first time sold more EVs in Britain than Tesla over a month. In January, the Far East relative newcomer recorded 1,614 registrations compared to Tesla's 1,458.

Elon Musk's Tesla has seen a huge drop in sales in a number of European countries in recent weeks as the billionaire's involvement in politics has taken a toll on his business