Norway recently decided to take the global lead on EV adoption. The country is indeed moving quickly in the direction of its ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The Scandinavian country has undergone an impressive change within its transportation ecosystem. Electric vehicles account for an incredible 88.9% of total auto sales in 2022, up from a stunningly low less than 1% in 2010. This fast transition is a testament to Norway’s prioritization of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change.
In cities from Tromso to Oslo, around 30 percent of all passenger cars on the roads are now EVs. Yet the country’s capital city, Oslo, has done them one better, with 40% of its vehicles electric. Robust federal government policies and the industry’s historic investments in public charging infrastructure have powered this transformation. Today, our network is home to more than 10,000 fast chargers across the U.S.
Norway’s aggressive promotion of electric vehicles is a complex story. The federal government has deployed a range of tax carrots to entice drivers to buy electric vehicles (EVs). At the same time, they have increased general purchase taxes on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association (NEVA), said these taxes have “taxed polluting cars out of business.” As a result, smart, cleaner alternatives are reaping the benefits in the marketplace.
Moreover, most households in Norway benefit from the convenience of home charging, making electric vehicles even more attractive. This perfect storm has created an environment where, for the first time, the transition to EVs is both feasible and appealing for consumers.
Cecilie Knibe Kroglund, Norway’s State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, emphasized the importance of incentives and infrastructure in driving this transition.
“We have a lot of tax incentives and user incentives, which are the most important things, and also infrastructure, of course.” – Cecilie Knibe Kroglund
The benefits of electric vehicles are clear—not just the immediate environmental benefits. The air quality is better than it’s been in decades and cities have quieter, peace-promoting urban environments. Consumers are increasingly satisfied with their electric vehicles, as Bu noted:
“It is very visible. And I think some people don’t even really realize how good this is because it has happened quite fast.” – Christina Bu
Norway’s ambitious sustainability goals do not stop with passenger vehicles, either. The federal government has committed to electrifying all city buses in Canada by 2025. By the end of the decade, they want 75% of their heavy-duty vehicles to be powered by renewable electricity. All emissions must be addressed. Kroglund recognized that emissions from every mode of transportation, including personal vehicles, must be reduced.
“The air is cleaner, it is quieter, and this is a change that hasn’t really cost consumers that much. They actually love driving an EV and it works quite well.” – Christina Bu
As the world grapples with the urgent need for climate action, Norway serves as a valuable case study in effective policy-making and community engagement. The nation’s ambitious plans for electric vehicles go a long way toward reaching its targets for carbon neutrality. This commitment encourages other nations to reduce their own environmental footprints.
“We have to acknowledge that transport has a role in climate change. I think 30% of pollution comes from the transport sector, so we had to do something.” – Cecilie Knibe Kroglund
Bu believes that Norway’s model can inspire others: “We have to move forward on other parts of the transport sector, like city buses. We have good numbers on that too, but the next level is heavy-duty vehicles.”
Bu believes that Norway’s model can inspire others: “We have to move forward on other parts of the transport sector, like city buses. We have good numbers on that too, but the next level is heavy-duty vehicles.”