Electric vehicles have gradually become the go-to solution for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, several countries have promoted the EV wave. However, Norway seems to be at the centre of EV integration.
In Norway, 60 per cent of the cars sold are EVs (compared with 2 per cent in the US).
Here are the reasons why Norway is the world leader in EV integration.
Flexible Government Policies: the idea behind the acceleration of EVs in Norway is making them highly affordable. The Norwegian government lowered taxes on EVs to retain the low prices and discharged road tolls as an extra incentive.
On the side of diesel-fuelled cars, the government implemented an opposite approach. These cars had to pay a fine for pollution.
Renewable Source of Electricity: the blueprint of Norway’s success in the EV wave is its abundant renewable electricity supply. Hydroelectric power is generated from about 1500 plants around the country. The renewable energy source provides 96 per cent of all electricity in Norway. A significant point to note is that some hydroelectric plants are low impact designs termed run-off river plants that don’t require dam building.
Affordable Electricity Prices: Norway has one of the cheapest electricity prices globally, and it has a very good transmission infrastructure to transmit the power to end-users.
Other countries can look at how Norway has and is still decarbonising its carbon footprints and adopt practices that suit their environment to attain both the Paris Agreement targets and sustainable development goals.