Billionaire Elon Musk’s political antics have been blamed for a sharp fall in sales of Tesla cars across Europe.

January figures from the European carmakers’ association ACEA show a 45.3% slump to just 9,945 cars, compared with 18,161 in the same month last year, with its market share falling to 1% from 1.8%.

The move was interpreted by some as a reaction to the political intervention of the Tesla owner in both US and European politics.

The Tesla sales slump across the EU, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the UK contrasts with a 34% overall rise in new battery-electric car sales to 124,341 units, capturing a 15% market share.

Analysts recently warned that Mr Musk’s close relationship with US president DonaldTrump, and his backing of some far-right activists, could drive European buyers away from his company.

The backlash has been particularly strong in Germany where stickers bearing the message “I bought this car before Elon went crazy” started showing up on Tesla cars.

His gesture at a Trump rally which some likened to a Nazi salute – allegations which the Tesla boss has rejected – prompted outrage in a country that remains sensitive to its recent past.

At the end of January, activists projected a giant image of his gesture and the word “Heil” onto the outside of a Tesla plant near Berlin.

German automotive analyst Matthias Schmidt said: “Germany remains very sensitive to its history and Musk’s political rhetoric is potentially toxic, given that Tesla consumers are partly motivated by environmental concerns.”

The ACEA figures show EU registrations of hybrid-electric cars increased by 18.4%, boosted by significant growth in the four biggest markets: France (+52.2%), Spain (+23.5%), Germany (+13.7%), and Italy (+10.6%).

Petrol car registrations saw a significant decline of 18.9%, with all major markets showing decreases. Similarly, the diesel car market declined by 27%.

UK government support for EVs

The UK government is providing £120m to help drivers and businesses switch to cleaner vans, wheelchair accessible vehicles and taxis as part of the £2.3 billion effort to help industry and consumers switch to EVs.

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood also confirmed that the department is extending the plug-in van grant for another year.

Ms Greenwood, said: “From van drivers and businesses, to drivers with accessibility needs, bikers and cabbies, today we are making it easier, faster and cheaper for people to switch to electric vehicles.”

The extension of the plug-in van grant will allow businesses and van drivers to access grants up to £2,500 when buying small vans up to 2.5 tonnes and up to £5,000 for larger vans up to 4.25 tonnes.

The department has also removed the requirement for additional training that is in place only for zero emission vans but not their ICE equivalents.

There is more support for taxi drivers to make the switch to electric by making £4,000 available to buy a zero emission vehicle.

The plug-in wheelchair accessible vehicle grant cap is also being increased from £35,000 to £50,000.