Tesla drivers are getting rid of their cars, receiving death threats and being laughed at in the street as backlash towards its billionaire owner, and now Trump's most influential advisor, grows.

After Trump won the US presidential election in November, he announced South African-born Musk would head a new cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency - also known as DOGE.

Public opinion of Musk has plummeted since he seemed to perform a Nazi salute while addressing a crowd of Trump supporters last month at a post-inauguration event and other controversial moves such as showing support for Germany's far-right AfD party.

Newly-released figures this week showed Tesla sales in Britain and Europe have dropped by 45 per cent.

Now, people are taking their hatred for the tech tycoon out on Tesla owners in the street.