Norway is leading the charge towards a sustainable future with its ambitious goal of ensuring that all new cars sold in the country are "zero emission" by 2025. This non-binding target, set in 2017, underscores Norway's commitment to environmental sustainability. As of 2024, the Scandinavian nation achieved a remarkable milestone with 88.9% of new cars sold being electric vehicles (EVs), reflecting an increase from 82.4% in 2023. The country has complemented this surge by establishing more than 27,000 public chargers, replacing many fuel pumps at petrol stations with fast-charging points.
Norway’s success is bolstered by its abundant renewable hydroelectric resources, which account for 88% of the country's electricity production capacity. This clean energy infrastructure supports the widespread use of EVs. In terms of charging infrastructure, Norway has 447 chargers per 100,000 people, a stark contrast to the UK's 89. The country's significant sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $1.7 trillion, largely derived from oil and gas exports, has been instrumental in supporting the transition to electric vehicles since the early 1990s.
In some months, nearly 98% of car sales were fully electric, signaling a dwindling interest in traditional petrol or diesel cars. Norway is home to several major EV manufacturers like Tesla, VW, and Toyota, with Chinese-owned brands such as MG, BYD, Polestar, and XPeng capturing a combined 10% of the market. For the first time last year, electric cars on Norwegian roads outnumbered those powered by petrol, and a third of all cars are now electric—a figure expected to surpass 50% in the coming years.
The Deputy Transport Minister, Cecilie Knibe Kroglund, attributes this success not to an inherently green mindset among Norwegians but to consistent and predictable policies that have encouraged EV adoption.
"It's our goal to see that it's always a good and viable choice, to choose zero emission" – Cecilie Knibe Kroglund
Christina Bu, a prominent figure in Norway's EV landscape, echoes this sentiment.
"Little by little taxing petrol and diesel engine cars more, so they have become a lot more expensive to purchase, whereas electric cars have been exempted from taxes" – Christina Bu
Bu highlights that Norway's journey began in the early 1990s with strategic policies favoring electric vehicles over traditional cars.
"It started already in the early 1990s" – Christina Bu
She emphasizes that other countries could potentially replicate Norway's success by adopting similar approaches tailored to their unique markets.
"Not really any reason why other countries can not copy Norway" – Ms Bu
A critical factor in Norway's electric vehicle revolution has been addressing practical concerns associated with EVs. Mr. Fyen, a local EV enthusiast, notes that even in Norway's cold climate, where range can be 20% shorter, the extensive charging network mitigates this issue.
"In the cold, the range is maybe 20% shorter, but still, with the expansive charging network we have here in Norway, that isn't a big issue really" – Mr Fyen
He advises potential EV users to adapt their habits accordingly.
"You just have to change your mindset and charge when you can, not when you need to" – Mr Fyen
For many Norwegians, driving an electric car aligns with their personal values. Merete Eggesbø shares her motivation for choosing an EV:
"I really wanted a car that didn't pollute. It gave me a better conscience driving" – Merete Eggesbø
The automotive industry in Norway has also shifted its focus towards supporting this transition. Ulf Tore Hekneby underscores the importance of moving away from internal combustion engine vehicles.
"We think it's wrong to advise a customer coming in here today to buy an ICE car, because the future is electric" – Ulf Tore Hekneby