Tesla Model 3
Tesla secures official regulatory approval to sell Model 3 in Europe
In a recent letter to Tesla employees, Elon Musk noted that the first quarter of 2019 would see Model 3 deliveries starting in international markets. Musk said that Tesla is adopting a similar strategy in Q1 2019 as it did in Q3 2018, with the company pushing the Model 3’s higher-cost versions in Europe and China. If successful, and with some degree of luck, Musk stated that Tesla could “target a tiny profit” this first quarter.
Recent updates from European regulators suggest that Tesla’s Model 3 ramp in the region would face no issues from regulators. In an update on its official website, Dutch vehicle authority RDW cleared the electric car maker to start delivering the Model 3 across Europe. On Friday, Los Angeles Times reporter Russ Mitchell also posted a tweet attributed to a Tesla spokesperson, who stated that the company had received European approval for the electric sedan.
https://twitter.com/russ1mitchell/status/1086377186041331713
With the Model 3 gaining homologation approval, there is very little that can get in the way of Tesla saturating Europe with the electic sedan. While the Model S and Model X both gained homologation without any problems, after all, any issues with the Model 3’s approval could have compromised Tesla’s plans for the vehicle’s European push, which reportedly involves shipping 3,000 units of the electric sedan to the region per week starting in February.
This is precisely what happened to legacy automaker Audi and its e-tron all-electric SUV, which reportedly failed homologation due to issues with the vehicle’s software. While the e-tron garnered a notable amount of interest from potential buyers in the region, Audi ultimately stated that its first all-electric SUV would not be released by the end of 2018 as initially planned. Fortunately for the veteran automaker, Audi has since informed auto publication Electrive that the e-tron actually made it through homologation mid-December.
With the Model 3 successfully passing homologation, Tesla would be able to avoid the delays and difficulties faced by Audi and its first all-electric SUV. Tesla could now focus on the most important matter at hand — delivering the Model 3 to reservation holders and potential buyers in the region.
Day 2- no sign of it slowing down. I estimate 8 trucks an hour arrive, times 9 cars per = 72 cars hr. The whole lot looks less full than yesterday. Probably running 24 hrs. Mostly 3's, more X than S. Some wrapped in film, some not. pic.twitter.com/9HKhJVzwGP
— Whit Fletcher (@whitfletcher) January 18, 2019
Deliveries for the electric sedan are yet to start, but Tesla is already moving full throttle in its European push for the Model 3. In a previous report, Belgian news agency Focus-WTV has noted that the electric sedans will be arriving every week at the port of Zeebrugge, located on the coast of Belgium. To bring the Model 3 to Europe, Tesla is reportedly partnering with transportation firm International Car Operators (ICO), which uses RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) ships capable of loading and unloading cargo quickly.
Tesla is also ramping its Supercharger Network in the region to support the upcoming influx of Model 3 sedans. For now, Tesla is in the process of installing “Model 3 Priority” Superchargers that are equipped with dual charge cables, which feature a Type 2 and CCS plug. To further augment its charging infrastrcuture in Europe, Tesla also plans to retrofit its existing Supercharger stations with CCS plugs to accommodate the Model 3.
Tesla has noted that Europe presents a lucrative opportunity for the Model 3 since the midsize sedan segment in the region is roughly twice as large as that of the United States. If the Model 3 can see as much success in Europe as it did in America, then a good part of Tesla’s international push for the electric sedan could very well be a resounding success.
Tesla is dominating in the United Kingdom so far through 2025, and with about two weeks left in the year, the Model Y and Model 3 are leading the way.
The Model Y and Model 3 are the two best-selling electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, which is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and it’s not particularly close.
According to data gathered by EU-EVs, the Model Y is sitting at 18,890 units for the year, while the Model 3 is slightly behind with 16,361 sales for the year so far.
The next best-selling EV is the Audi Q4 e-tron at 10,287 units, lagging significantly behind but ahead of other models like the BMW i4 and the Audi Q6 e-tron.
GOOD NEWS 🇬🇧 Tesla is absolutely crushing the UK electric vehicle market in 2025 💥
The numbers are in, and the dominance is clear. With an impressive amount of 42,270 vehicles delivered year-to-date, the brand now commands a solid 9.6% market share of the total auto market 🆒… pic.twitter.com/dkiGX9kzd0
— Ming (@tslaming) December 18, 2025
The Model Y has tasted significant success in the global market, but it has dominated in large markets like Europe and the United States.
For years, it’s been a car that has fit the bill of exactly what consumers need: a perfect combination of luxury, space, and sustainability.
Both vehicles are going to see decreases in sales compared to 2024; the Model Y was the best-selling car last year, but it sold 32,610 units in the UK. Meanwhile, the Model 3 had reached 17,272 units, which will keep it right on par with last year.
Tesla sold 50,090 units in the market last year, and it’s about 8,000 units shy of last year’s pace. It also had a stronger market share last year with 13.2 percent of the sales in the market. With two weeks left in 2025, Tesla has a 9.6 percent market share, leading Volkswagen with 8 percent.
The company likely felt some impact from CEO Elon Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration and, more specifically, his role with DOGE. However, it is worth mentioning that some months saw stronger consumer demand than others. For example, sales were up over 20 percent in February. A 14 percent increase followed this in June.
News
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y dominate China’s real-world efficiency tests
The Tesla Model 3 posted 20.8 kWh/100 km while the Model Y followed closely at 21.8 kWh/100 km.
Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y once again led the field in a new real-world energy-consumption test conducted by China’s Autohome, outperforming numerous rival electric vehicles in controlled conditions.
The results, which placed both Teslas in the top two spots, prompted Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun to acknowledge Tesla’s efficiency advantage while noting that his company’s vehicles will continue refining its own models to close the gap.
Tesla secures top efficiency results
Autohome’s evaluation placed all vehicles under identical conditions, such as a full 375-kg load, cabin temperature fixed at 24°C on automatic climate control, and a steady cruising speed of 120 km/h. In this environment, the Tesla Model 3 posted 20.8 kWh/100 km while the Model Y followed closely at 21.8 kWh/100 km, as noted in a Sina News report.
These figures positioned Tesla’s vehicles firmly at the top of the ranking and highlighted their continued leadership in long-range efficiency. The test also highlighted how drivetrain optimization, software management, and aerodynamic profiles remain key differentiators in high-speed, cold-weather scenarios where many electric cars struggle to maintain low consumption.
Xiaomi’s Lei Jun pledges to continue learning from Tesla
Following the results, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun noted that the Xiaomi SU7 actually performed well overall but naturally consumed more energy due to its larger C-segment footprint and higher specification. He reiterated that factors such as size and weight contributed to the difference in real-world consumption compared to Tesla. Still, the executive noted that Xiaomi will continue to learn from the veteran EV maker.
“The Xiaomi SU7’s energy consumption performance is also very good; you can take a closer look. The fact that its test results are weaker than Tesla’s is partly due to objective reasons: the Xiaomi SU7 is a C-segment car, larger and with higher specifications, making it heavier and naturally increasing energy consumption. Of course, we will continue to learn from Tesla and further optimize its energy consumption performance!” Lei Jun wrote in a post on Weibo.
Lei Jun has repeatedly described Tesla as the global benchmark for EV efficiency, previously stating that Xiaomi may require three to five years to match its leadership. He has also been very supportive of FSD, even testing the system in the United States.
News
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y named top car buys in Norway
Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability.
Norway’s annual roundup of the best car purchases featured Tesla’s two main sellers this year, with the Model 3 and Model Y securing top positions in their respective segments.
Despite growing competition from European and Korean brands, both models stood out for their balance of price, performance, and everyday usability. The verdict comes as electric vehicle adoption remained above 95% of new vehicle sales in the country.
Tesla Model 3 strengthens its value position
Among compact EVs, the Tesla Model 3 maintained its position as the best overall buy thanks to its strong blend of performance, efficiency, and updated features. Reviewers noted that every trim offered compelling value, especially with the all-electric sedan’s improved cabin ergonomics and the return of the turn-signal stalk, which was one of the few previous complaints among drivers.
The Model 3’s mix of long-range capability, low operating costs, and responsive handling has continued to set the benchmark for compact EVs in Norway. While competitors from Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Peugeot have narrowed the gap, Tesla’s price-to-capability ratio has remained difficult to beat in this segment, Motor.no reported.
“The Model 3 clearly offers the best value for money in the compact class, no matter which version you choose. Now it also gets the turn signal lever back. This eliminates one of the few flaws in a driving environment that many believe is the best on the market,” the publication wrote.
Tesla Model Y claims its crown
The Tesla Model Y emerged as Norway’s top family-car purchase this year. The latest refresh introduced improvements in ride quality, styling, and interior materials, allowing the Model Y to deliver a more premium driving experience without a substantial price increase.
Reviewers praised its spacious cabin, strong safety profile, and practical range, all of which reinforced its appeal for families needing an all-purpose electric crossover. The Model Y remains especially notable given its continued popularity in Norway even as Tesla faces declining sales in other global markets.
“The Model Y is back as the winner in the family class. The upgrade in the new year was even more extensive than expected. It is a slightly more elegant and significantly more comfortable Model Y that solidifies its position as Norway’s best car purchase in the most important class,” the Norwegian motoring publication noted.
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