Electric cars outnumber petrol vehicles in Norway, a global first

[Skye Jacobs]

The big picture: As signs of declining EV adoption emerge in other countries, Norway's success in electrifying its transport sector offers valuable lessons. While the achievements may not be easily replicated due to its unique economic and geographical factors, the country's experience demonstrates that a rapid transition to sustainable transportation is possible with the right combination of incentives, infrastructure, and public support.

Norway has become the first country where electric cars outnumber petrol-powered vehicles. As of September 16, 2024, the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) reported that out of 2.8 million registered passenger cars, 754,303 are electric, surpassing the 753,905 petrol cars.

In August alone, an astounding 94.3 percent of new car registrations in Norway were all-electric, driven by strong sales of the Tesla Model Y. September also marked the first time since 2011 that there were fewer than one million diesel passenger cars in Norway.

Although diesel vehicles still dominate the Norwegian car market, their sales are rapidly declining, and projections suggest that by 2026, electric cars could outnumber them as well.

The development is particularly striking for a country that is one of the world's largest oil exporters. Despite the oil industry, Norway aims to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2025, a full decade ahead of the European Union's target.

Øyvind Solberg Thorsen, director of OFV, hailed the achievement as "historic" and "a milestone few anticipated a decade ago." Indeed, two decades ago, Norway had 1.6 million petrol cars, 230,000 diesel vehicles, and a mere 1,000 electric cars on its roads. Thorsen believes Norway will eventually become the first nation with an EV-dominated passenger car fleet.

Norway's recent milestone comes with some caveats. Thorsen noted that many enthusiast cars – especially older models – are only registered during the summer and are deregistered and parked when fall arrives.

Norway's EV success story can be attributed to several key factors. Substantial tax rebates have made EVs price-competitive with heavily taxed petrol and diesel vehicles. Additional perks, such as exemptions from urban tolls, free parking, and access to bus lanes, have further encouraged EV adoption. Moreover, there is a strong commitment among the population to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The achievement stands in stark contrast to the broader European market, where EV sales have been declining since the end of 2023. At the beginning of this year, EVs accounted for just 12.5 percent of new car sales in Europe, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

The decline can be partially attributed to the rising popularity of hybrid models over fully electric vehicles in many European countries. Additionally, some nations have reduced or eliminated EV incentives. For instance, Sweden saw a drop in EV sales after removing purchase rebates. Norway's EV market, in comparison, is more mature, having started its transition earlier than most European countries.

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Electric cars outnumber petrol vehicles in Norway, a global first

 

[R00sT3R]

Ironic, considering Norway has a $1 Trillion sovereign wealth fund built on the back of the fossil fuel Industry for the last 50yrs.

 

[gamerk2]

Its a good thing Norway is such a warm country that has a densely packed population, otherwise this feat would be objectively impossible.

/sarcasm

 

[Burty117]

The Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) reported that out of 2.8 million registered passenger cars, 754,303 are electric, surpassing the 753,905 petrol cars.

So they have 754,303 electric cars on the road, According to an Experian Automotive Market Trends report from the fourth quarter of 2023, there were about 3.3 million electric cars on the road in the U.S.

So basically, we're celebrating Norway having a tiny population? "The adoption and deployment of electric vehicles in Norway, particularly zero emission vehicles, has been driven by policy since 1990, actively supported by the Norwegian government."

I get the west is trying to point to Norway and say "See! It can be done!" but that's not reality, it took a country which has been heavily pushing for electric only vehicles since the 90's, this long to push just over half the (very small) population to use electric vehicles.

Or am I missing something?

 

[Dreadcthulhu]

The big thing driving this is that Norway has really high taxes on gas/diesel cars, so they end up being at least as expensive as an electric car. Now, while Norwegians may be willing to put up with those taxes, the same is not true in most other countries; pretty sure trying to impose that level of taxation all at once in the US would get massive push back, with politicians pushing it getting removed one way or the other.

 

[KingKappa]

So they have 754,303 electric cars on the road, According to an Experian Automotive Market Trends report from the fourth quarter of 2023, there were about 3.3 million electric cars on the road in the U.S.

So basically, we're celebrating Norway having a tiny population? "The adoption and deployment of electric vehicles in Norway, particularly zero emission vehicles, has been driven by policy since 1990, actively supported by the Norwegian government."

I get the west is trying to point to Norway and say "See! It can be done!" but that's not reality, it took a country which has been heavily pushing for electric only vehicles since the 90's, this long to push just over half the (very small) population to use electric vehicles.

Or am I missing something?

Now try to figure out what percentage of both populations have an electric car.

755k EC in a 5.5~ million population
vs
3.3M EC in a 334~ million population

 

[seeprime]

98% of Norway's electricity is renewable. My hat, if I wore one, is off to them for this achievement.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

The big thing driving this is that Norway has really high taxes on gas/diesel cars, so they end up being at least as expensive as an electric car. Now, while Norwegians may be willing to put up with those taxes, the same is not true in most other countries; pretty sure trying to impose that level of taxation all at once in the US would get massive push back, with politicians pushing it getting removed one way or the other.

Electric subsidy helps as well as actual infrastructure built to handle EVs. Something the US just cant seem to figure out with their $1.2 BILLION chargers.

Also a cause: gasoline in Norway, despite being a net oil exporter, has bounced between $8.12 - $10.35 per gallon the last 3 years. Their electricity cost seems to average around $0.35 per kWh.

 

[Eldrach]

As a Norwegian I can only call out -infrastructure- as the guiding light here..and no import tax for electric cars up to 50 000 usd.
There’s simply no downside to owning an electric vehicle in Norway. I’ve driven over wast distances, through national parks..in the middle of absolutely nowhere..there will be some goats…and a Tesla super charger.
And you’re right, due to our hydro powered electric grid - power is cheap here. Usually around between 3 and 6 cents per kwh.

People claim it’s no feat due to our small population - but we have an extremely challenging topographic to build an electric charger grid country wide. Drive across country and the height variance will easily be 3000 feet.

And our taxes - well, we accept them as they give us free health care, free universities, affordable homecare for the elderly, free dentist until we’re 26, 4 weeks of paid vacation + 1 optional week, guaranteed roof over your head if you have been down on your luck in life, 14 months maternity and paternity leave, and our kindergarden rates are max 200 usd a month…among other advantages.

Taxes aren’t evil - if they’re used correctly

 

[Eldrach]

Ironic, considering Norway has a $1 Trillion sovereign wealth fund built on the back of the fossil fuel Industry for the last 50yrs.

Well - you’ve had coal mines for almost 200 years..why do you guys have 33 trillion in debt? It’s a stupid question I know - but the difference is, the government didn’t sell out our natural resources to big corporations, instead they built a fund for the people that now makes over 300% more yearly than any oil extraction. Norway will discontinue its oil production in 2050 and only produce gas for the european market after that - but by then, the fund will be so big that we won’t need the income from oil anymore.
Not going to rosepaint the oil exctraction - but if you’d seen how we extract oil compared to say Kuwait, I’d reckoned you’d prefer us to do it.

 

[kiwigraeme]

As a Norwegian I can only call out -infrastructure- as the guiding light here..and no import tax for electric cars up to 50 000 usd.
There’s simply no downside to owning an electric vehicle in Norway. I’ve driven over wast distances, through national parks..in the middle of absolutely nowhere..there will be some goats…and a Tesla super charger.
And you’re right, due to our hydro powered electric grid - power is cheap here. Usually around between 3 and 6 cents per kwh.

People claim it’s no feat due to our small population - but we have an extremely challenging topographic to build an electric charger grid country wide. Drive across country and the height variance will easily be 3000 feet.

And our taxes - well, we accept them as they give us free health care, free universities, affordable homecare for the elderly, free dentist until we’re 26, 4 weeks of paid vacation + 1 optional week, guaranteed roof over your head if you have been down on your luck in life, 14 months maternity and paternity leave, and our kindergarden rates are max 200 usd a month…among other advantages.

Taxes aren’t evil - if they’re used correctly

No wonder some Americans consider you godless communists. You have interfered with the divine right of mega corps to exploit you, like minke whales to be harpooned . and German tourists well stocked on Aldi to continue to come in with their right to invade and free camp and pay nothing : )

Norway is a very beautiful country, so much so the Danish and Germans sought to make it their own. Having 50% of the North sea oil means was a lot easier for you than Sweden, Denmark and Finland who have more recognised leading companies Ikea ,Lego, Nokia etc .
In NZ we stopped whaling in 1950s as was just not right, yes you and the Faroe Islands are actually legitimate whaling nations unlike Japan. For one of the wealthiest nations in the world surely plenty to of fish in the sea to pickle. bury for years on end to increase the flavour.

Back to topic on hand, shows the importance of good infrastructure and a strong electric grid.
I drank more alcohol in Norway than anywhere on my travels than in other European countries with people I met, weird given the price . I did smuggle a lot in to gift friends throughout scandinavia from buying cheap in DDR ( east germany )
Fun fact Norwegians had their shipping option to get drunk
Swedish to Copenhagen
Finnish to Tallinn
Norwegians to Newcastle

 

[SRB]

Boy is this misleading!!! Yet again, another "how green could our valley be" article leading one to believe the EV's are the natural choice and we should decry our knuckle dragging backwards US oil addiction.

Let's see, according to the article, EV's sell better that gasoline vehicles, but mentions diesels as a side note. So the reality is they are about a third of PASSENGER VEHICLES, not total vehicles on the road. But it doesn't stop there. Per a previous comment above, one person who lives there has no problems using an EV for long drives in Norway. Keep in mind, Norway is slightly smaller than Montana. It is just 3.2% of the US in size,. The vast majority of cites are within 300 miles of Oslo. 2.8 million makes a actual comparison difficult, but here are some more comparisons. Population: Norway 5.46 million, New York CIty alone, 8.8 million. Number of vehicles in New York City, 2.077 million. Norway, long list of incentives listed above given to EV owners, US, a $7500 tax credit.

And, saving the best for last, number of charging stations in the US, 66,000 Norway, 27,500

Congratulations, another article pulling cherry picked numbers to attempt to demonstrate that there's nothing stopping us from EV heaven by 2030.

Better luck next time.

 

[p51d007]

Norway at 148,000 sq miles, is roughly the size in land area, as the state of Montana at 147,000.
Norway has 5.5 million people. That is roughly the population of Minnesota.
The entire nation of Norway would fit inside the state of Texas, with room for 3/4 of another Norway.
In other words, EV's for short trips around town, commuting, couple hours drive etc isn't too much of
an issue especially building the recharging infrastructure. Then, there is the amount of time to recharge.
Perhaps in a decade or more, the U.S. infrastructure can be "beefed up" to handle recharging, and maybe
range and quicker charging will take place.
For now, ICE and hybrid would be a better option for "long haul trucks" and those driving from state to
state or across country.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

The same Norway that is massive gas exporter and so is not doing anything for the environment actually. Export your filth and pretend the world ends at your border.

 

[SRB]

Norway at 148,000 sq miles, is roughly the size in land area, as the state of Montana at 147,000.
Norway has 5.5 million people. That is roughly the population of Minnesota.
The entire nation of Norway would fit inside the state of Texas, with room for 3/4 of another Norway.
In other words, EV's for short trips around town, commuting, couple hours drive etc isn't too much of
an issue especially building the recharging infrastructure. Then, there is the amount of time to recharge.
Perhaps in a decade or more, the U.S. infrastructure can be "beefed up" to handle recharging, and maybe
range and quicker charging will take place.
For now, ICE and hybrid would be a better option for "long haul trucks" and those driving from state to
state or across country.

Speaking of Texas, There is only one city that I can reach in a couple of hours, the rest are between 3-3.5 hours in the east side of the state. Where I used to live in Toledo, OH, it probably would work, 6 mid to large cities within about 2 hours, and not a lot of open space between them.

Between the size of the US, and the differences in economies, the bottom line is I'm glad it works out for them in Europe, but unless the tech improves dramatically, it will be a long time in comming here. Either that, or our mobility and way of life will change dramatically.

Who knows?

 

[Burty117]

As a Norwegian I can only call out -infrastructure- as the guiding light here..and no import tax for electric cars up to 50 000 usd.
There’s simply no downside to owning an electric vehicle in Norway. I’ve driven over wast distances, through national parks..in the middle of absolutely nowhere..there will be some goats…and a Tesla super charger.
And you’re right, due to our hydro powered electric grid - power is cheap here. Usually around between 3 and 6 cents per kwh.

People claim it’s no feat due to our small population - but we have an extremely challenging topographic to build an electric charger grid country wide. Drive across country and the height variance will easily be 3000 feet.

It's worth me saying here, my comment was not pointed at Norway or the people of Norway, far from it, I have nothing but respect for how much more stable your country is and everything works and is strangely clean, If my girlfriend had a few more brain cells I would be moving out of the UK to Norway or Denmark, just somewhere that's run by a far less corrupt government.

I was more pointing out the mainstream media in general, pointing to Norway as a way to tell their own citizens that it's "easy" to move to electric only cars and almost point to you as a "see, there's no reason we can't do this to!" when they damn well know they can't do it anywhere near as well as Norway.

The UK for example, has 25% less land mass than Norway, but has way over 10x the population, Also less mountains in the way of building infrastructure. All of this sounds like it should be way easier to build out electric car infrastructure, more densely populated and an overall smaller country, sounds perfect for electric cars, but nope, because almost everything has been underfunded since the 70's and 80's, electric grid has something like a 13 year backlog to hook up off-shore wind farms, most of our electric is produced using natural gas so electric pricing is many times higher (True Fact: It's cheaper to fill a Ford Focus 1.6 diesel from empty to full, than an all electric Vauxhall Corsa at a public charger) and our government promised the French and Chinese (who are building our new nuclear power stations) high resale value of any of the electric produced, so we won't get cheaper electric way into the future either.

And our taxes - well, we accept them as they give us free health care, free universities, affordable homecare for the elderly, free dentist until we’re 26, 4 weeks of paid vacation + 1 optional week, guaranteed roof over your head if you have been down on your luck in life, 14 months maternity and paternity leave, and our kindergarden rates are max 200 usd a month…among other advantages.

Taxes aren’t evil - if they’re used correctly

The crux of the issue right here, again, going to use the UK as an example (and it's hilariously close to Norway and also had an oil boom in the North Sea many years ago), I do not understand where all the Tax goes in the UK, Norway does have a higher level of taxation but it's not MILES higher, it's a couple of percent higher (on average), and it's a couple of percent higher on a much smaller population in a much bigger country, How on earth has the UK managed to do almost nothing right since the 70's and 80's? Let alone get Electric Vehicle infrastructure in-place.

 

[TempleOrion]

Boy is this misleading!!! Yet again, another "how green could our valley be" article leading one to believe the EV's are the natural choice and we should decry our knuckle dragging backwards US oil addiction.

Let's see, according to the article, EV's sell better that gasoline vehicles, but mentions diesels as a side note. So the reality is they are about a third of PASSENGER VEHICLES, not total vehicles on the road. But it doesn't stop there. Per a previous comment above, one person who lives there has no problems using an EV for long drives in Norway. Keep in mind, Norway is slightly smaller than Montana. It is just 3.2% of the US in size,. The vast majority of cites are within 300 miles of Oslo. 2.8 million makes a actual comparison difficult, but here are some more comparisons. Population: Norway 5.46 million, New York CIty alone, 8.8 million. Number of vehicles in New York City, 2.077 million. Norway, long list of incentives listed above given to EV owners, US, a $7500 tax credit.

And, saving the best for last, number of charging stations in the US, 66,000 Norway, 27,500

Congratulations, another article pulling cherry picked numbers to attempt to demonstrate that there's nothing stopping us from EV heaven by 2030.

Better luck next time.

Yawn. Keep your gas guzzlers, no-one cares. The Chinese are gonna eat your lunch WRT electric vehicles anyway, Tesla can't do the heavy lifting alone.

No-one's forcing you out of the stone/fossil fuel age, despite right whingers constantly bleating about it LOL

 

[monkeylove]

I heard from one lecture about peak oil (I think it was a Spanish economist) that they use EVs as a second vehicle, I.e., to avail of parking, traffic ban exemptions, etc., for EVs in cities, while maintaining the ICEVs for longer trips and so on.