Oslo – Almost 96% of new cars recorded in Norway in January were electrical, an unrivaled proportion worldwide and near the country’s objective to sell only zero emission vehicles this year. In total, 9,343 new cars were sold in January, of which 8,954 were electric, said Norwegian Road Federation (OFV).
Of the 50 best -selling models, only two were non -electric, the first of which arrived in 33rd place, said the OFV.
In comparison, the share of electric cars sold in Europe was only 13.6% in the full year in 2024 – a drop for the first time since 2020, according to the hall of ACEA car manufacturers. Even as far EV sales in the United StatesWhere, according to Motortrend data from last year, only about 6% of new vehicles sold were electric.
With President Trump now in office after reducing incentives on sales of electric vehicles caused under his predecessor, a suite Downward trend in American absorption is quite possible.
“We have never seen this before … If the rest of the year continues like this, we will soon be close to the target of 2025,” said OFV director Oyvind Solberg Thorsen, in a press release. “But if we want to cross the finish line with 100%electric cars, it will be necessary to maintain the incentives that make you profitable to choose an electric car rather than other models.”
Despite being a large producer of oil and gas, Norway aims that all new cars sold as “zero emission” from 2025, 10 years ahead of the objective set by the European Union, of which Norway is not a member.
Unlike Brussels plans, Oslo did not prohibit the sale of cars with internal combustion engines, after having opted for a system of generous alternatives that made them competitive against highly taxed internal combustion cars.
Zhang Yuliang / Xinhua / Getty
They also benefited from toll exemptions, free parking in public car parks and the use of public transportation tracks.
How Norway led the EV transition
While some tax lounges and incentives have been canceled over the years, electric cars have become commonplace on Norwegian roads.
“It was a decision mainly motivated by Climate and environment Considerations, ”told AFP Hvattum, a father of three 50 -year -olds who has two electric vehicles.
“Another reason was of course the advantages that accompany them,” he said, describing himself as a “climate enthusiast”.
In its high -end district of Baerum in the suburbs of Oslo, the streets are full of teslas, Audis and Volkswagens. Chinese brands at competitive prices also appear more and more.
Many houses have a garage with an EV charger, in addition to the large national network of super fast charging stations from Norway which maintains the nation.
It was a prerequisite for Hvattum, which, like many Norwegians, frequently travels by car to his chalet in the mountains several hours in Oslo.
“It’s less complicated now than the network is so well developed. You do not have to plan your trip as far as before, “he said, adding that he uses the load breaks of 15 to 20 minutes necessary to make up for each other in the mountains to buy food.
Even if EV sales fail to reach the 100% mark this year, experts say that Norway can be considered to have achieved its objective.
“We should end the year between 95 and 100%, and probably even in the high -end,” Christina BU, Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association told AFP.
A new increase in tax on internal combustion cars and rechargeable hybrids – which are cleaner but which operate in part in gas or diesel – April 1 should help.
In January, diesel cars – still common in a large part of Europe – represents only 1.5% of new cars recorded in Norway and petrol cars at only 0.4%, according to the OFV.
“Political leaders cannot rest on their laurels,” said BU. “They must maintain the advantages, such as toll discounts, so that the transition to electric vehicles spreads to the second -hand market.”