- Norway leads globally in electric vehicle adoption with over 754,000 EVs, surpassing gasoline-powered cars.
- Favourable tax policies and incentives drive Norway’s EV success, with 94.3% of new car registrations in August being electric.
- Challenges remain as the government reduces EV perks, raising concerns about the sustainability of this rapid transition.
Norway has emerged as a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, registering over 754,000 fully electric cars. EVs now outnumber gasoline-powered vehicles, marking a significant milestone in Norway’s push to decarbonise transportation.
The Road Traffic Information Council (OFV) reports that EVs account for 26% of the nation’s vehicle fleet, just ahead of gasoline cars at 753,905 units. Diesel vehicles still hold the largest share, with nearly one million, but their market presence is shrinking rapidly.
“This is historic,” said Øyvind Solberg Thorsen, Director of OFV. “Norway is moving toward becoming the first country where EVs dominate the vehicle fleet.”
While Norway leads this shift, the global transition remains slower. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric cars comprise only 3.2% of the worldwide fleet in 2023. Despite being a significant oil producer, Norway aims to ban new gasoline and diesel car sales by 2025, far ahead of the European Union’s 2035 target.
Norway’s success stems from favourable tax policies and government incentives. In August, a record high, electric vehicles comprised 94.3% of new car registrations. Christina Bu, General Secretary of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, emphasised the importance of keeping these policies in place: “The government must avoid raising taxes on EVs in the 2025 budget while keeping high taxes on combustion cars.”
Additional perks, like free tolls and parking, have encouraged EV adoption. However, as authorities reduce these benefits, concerns grow about the long-term sustainability of the EV transition.
Norway’s journey toward electrification started in 2004 when only 1,000 electric cars roamed its roads. Today, experts predict that by 2026, EVs could outnumber diesel cars. This transition plays a crucial role in Norway’s climate goals, which include cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Norway saw a 4.7% drop in emissions in 2023, but total reductions since 1990 remain at just 9.1%. With nearly all its electricity coming from renewable energy, especially hydropower, Norway positions EVs as a sustainable choice.
Despite Norway’s success, challenges remain in the broader European context. In 2023, EVs accounted for only 12.5% of new car sales across the European Union. Forecasts predict this could rise to 20-24% by 2025, but concerns persist over the EU’s ability to phase out combustion engines by 2035.
Sweden, Norway’s neighbour, recently experienced a drop in EV sales after removing purchase bonuses. This highlights the need for long-term incentives to support electrification.
As Norway looks ahead, its experience provides valuable lessons for other countries. The nation’s shift to electric vehicles is essential to reducing fossil fuel dependence, but sustaining its lead will require solid policies and continued innovation in a rapidly evolving automotive industry.