In 2024, Norway took a giant leap towards becoming the world’s first nation to nearly eliminate petrol and diesel cars from its new car market. According to the Norwegian Road Federation, almost 89% of all new cars sold were fully electric, up from 82% the previous year. The country’s top sellers were Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota, with Chinese EVs now making up nearly 10% of sales. This success story is rooted in Norway’s balanced blend of incentives and penalties: high taxes on fossil fuel cars, while EVs enjoy tax exemptions that make them more attractive.
Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV association, credits the government’s consistent policies, which have endured across political administrations, for the transition. The absence of a powerful car manufacturing lobby has also made it easier to impose such measures. Rather than imposing a ban, Norway incentivized EV adoption, making the transition smoother and less confrontational for its citizens.
As a result, electric vehicles now make up more than 28% of all cars on Norwegian roads. However, challenges remain, such as rental companies still favoring petrol cars for tourists unfamiliar with EVs. The rise of electric vehicles has also spurred a shift at gas stations, with more fuel pumps being replaced by fast chargers.
Norwegians like Desire Andresen, who drive EVs, admit it’s not always as quick to charge, especially in the winter. But the benefits – fewer emissions and less pollution – make the trade-off worth it. Norway’s approach offers a valuable lesson: long-term, predictable incentives work wonders for transformation.
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