Chinese carmaker BYD has overtaken Tesla in electric car sales in Europe for the frst time, strengthening its presence in the region at a time when sales at Elon Musks company remain under pressure. BYD sold 7,231 electric vehicles in Europe in April, while Tesla sold 7,165 cars, according to data from Jato Dynamics, cited by the FT. Tis is the frst time that the Chinese company has surpassed the North American company in the sale of electric cars. Tis overtaking comes at a time when the Chinese company continues to assert itself in the region, while Tesla faces a crisis. In the frst three months of the year alone, Musks companys sales fell 45 percent in the frst quarter of the year compared to the previous year, while total electric car registrations increased by an average of 12 percent, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reported. Several Chinese car companies have been investing in Europe, forcing companies in the region to develop more afordable models to compete with Chinese competitors. According to data from the same automotive consultancy, new registrations of electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturers in Europe rose 59 percent in April, to 15,300 units.