Norway's Electric Vehicle Revolution: 90% of Cars Sold Are Now Electric
Norway has emerged as a pioneer in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with nearly 90% of cars sold last year being electric. The Scandinavian country has surpassed all others, boasting more battery-powered vehicles than petrol-powered ones on its roads. This shift to electric vehicles began in the 1990s and was significantly bolstered by technological advancements and government incentives.
Key incentives for electric vehicles in Norway include the elimination of road taxes, free access to toll roads, and the abolition of VAT on electric cars since 2001, which has made them more affordable than traditional combustion vehicles. The Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, led by Christina Bu, highlights that Norway's success in the EV market is due to both lucrative incentives and measures that make owning a polluting vehicle costly.
Despite initial challenges, including a lack of models and charging infrastructure, Norway's automotive landscape transformed dramatically, with EV ownership climbing from just 3% of new car sales in 2012 to peaks of 94% in recent months. Currently, Norway boasts over 30,000 public charging points, reflecting its robust charging network, which is the second largest in Europe per capita.
Looking ahead, while achieving a target of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2025 may not be feasible, experts expect that green vehicle sales will continue to dominate. The Nordic region is leading the global charge in electrification, with high EV sales rates also evident in Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.
In contrast, countries like Spain lag behind, with only a 5.8% EV sales rate, highlighting the significant impact of supportive policies and public perception in driving the electric vehicle market.