Norway has made significant strides in its goal to become a fully electric nation, with nearly all new cars sold in 2024 being battery-powered. According to data from the Norwegian Road Federation, 88.9% of new car sales in Norway were fully electric vehicles (EVs), up from 82.4% in 2023.
The country’s strong take-up of EVs is attributed to a combination of incentives and taxes that make them more attractive. Oil-producing Norway imposes high taxes on petrol and diesel cars, while exempting EVs from import and value-added taxes. This policy has been consistent over time, with governments of various political persuasions maintaining it.
The absence of an automaker lobby in Norway has also helped to drive the adoption of electric vehicles. “Taxing cars highly in the past was simple,” said Ulf Tore Hekneby, head of Norway’s biggest car importer. Having incentives rather than banning petrol and diesel cars has been crucial too, he added.
Norway’s policies have been successful in making EVs a popular choice, with over 28% of all cars driven on Norwegian roads being electric as of December. The European Union has decided to ban sales of carbon-dioxide-emitting cars by 2035, but Norway’s approach has shown that implementing a broad package of incentives can lead to long-term success.
However, not all drivers have switched to EVs, with rental companies still selling internal combustion engine cars to tourists who are unfamiliar with EVs. As a result, the country needs to adapt and invest in more fast electric chargers at fuel stations. Circle K, Norway’s largest fuel retailer, plans to increase its charging stalls by 50% within three years.
Despite some challenges, Norway’s lead on electric vehicles is a significant achievement, demonstrating that with the right policies and incentives, it is possible to drive widespread adoption of sustainable transportation.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/norway-nearly-all-new-cars-sold-2024-were-fully-electric-2025-01-02