Norway nears 100% EV goal, could be first in the world

Almost 96% of new cars registered in Norway in January were fully-electric (EV), reports AFP. According to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV), 8,954 of the 9,343 new cars sold last month were zero-emission vehicles, and only two of the 50 most-sold models were non-electric, the first of which was placed 33rd.

Despite being a major oil and gas producer, Norway aims for all new cars sold to be zero emission beginning 2025 – a decade ahead of the goal of the European Union (EU), of which Norway is not a member. In comparison, EVs took just 13.6% share in Europe in the full-year 2024, a decline for the first time since 2020, according to the car manufacturers’ lobby ACEA.

“We’ve never seen this before… if the rest of the year continues like this, we will very soon be close to the 2025 goal. But if we want to cross the finish line with 100% electric cars, it will be necessary to maintain the incentives that make it profitable to choose an electric car over other other models,” OFV director Oyvind Solberg Thorsen said in a statement.

In contrast to the EU’s plans, Norway has not banned the sale of combustion-engined (ICE) cars. It has opted instead for a system of generous tax breaks that have made EVs competitive against heavily-taxed ICE cars. Furthermore, EVs get toll exemptions, free public parking and can use public transport lanes.

50-year old father of three and owner of two EVs Frode Hvattum told AFP that his decision to go electric was primarily motivated by climate and environment considerations, and then the benefits that come with them. In his upscale neighbourhood of Baerum in suburban Oslo, the streets are full of Teslas, Audis and Volkswagens, with Chinese brands increasingly appearing too.

In addition to Norway’s vast national network of superfast charging stations, many homes have a garage with an EV charger. Like many Norwegians, Hvattum drives frequently to his chalet in the mountains, several hours from Oslo.

“It’s less complicated now that the network is so well-developed. You don’t have to plan your trip as much as before,” he said, adding that he uses the 15-20 minute charging breaks needed to make it up to the mountains to shop for food.

Even if EV sales fail to meet the 100% mark this year, experts say that Norway can be seen as having met its goal. “We should finish the year at between 95% and 100%, and probably even in the high end of this range,” said Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association head Christina Bu.

What should help is an upcoming April 1 tax increase on ICE and plug-in hybrid cars. In January, diesel cars accounted for just 1.5% of new cars registered in Norway, and petrol cars just 0.4%, according to the OFV. “Political leaders can’t rest on their laurels. They have to maintain the advantages, such as the toll discounts, so the transition to EVs spreads on the second-hand market,” she stressed.

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