Tesla's quarterly sales plunged 13% to the weakest in nearly three years, hurt by a backlash against CEO Elon Musk's politics, rising global competition and people waiting for a refresh to its highest-selling electric vehicle Model Y.

Shares of Tesla fell more than 2% on Wednesday as the company recorded a bigger-than-expected drop in sales in the January-March period.

Tesla delivered 13 per cent fewer cars in the first quarter of this year, it has said, amid growing backlash to Elon Musk. The company is facing a host of problems, including criticism of chief executive Musk’s role in the Trump government as well as increased competition and an aging line up of electric vehicles.