This is an impressive feat, as other countries will likely take several years to reach such a high percentage of electric vehicles. In fact, few countries currently have a BEV fleet share above 20%. In Norway, the majority of new car sales are BEVs.
There are several factors that have contributed to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles in Norway. Firstly, the country is wealthy, and Norwegians are environmentally conscious. Secondly, the government has implemented a range of incentives for electric cars, including zero percent VAT tax. As internal combustion engine cars are heavily taxed in Norway, BEVs have become a more attractive option for consumers.
According to the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, the share of BEVs in Norway is expected to reach 30% within the next two years. This is a significant increase, as it took three years for the share to go from 10% to 20%. However, adoption of electric cars has been slower in certain areas of the country, such as Finnmark county in the north, where the share of BEVs in the total fleet is only 4.7%. This could be due to a colder climate, less developed charging infrastructure, or lower purchasing power in these areas compared to the capital city.
This year, almost 90% of passenger cars sold in Norway are rechargeable, with 118,525 new plug-ins registered in the first 11 months of the year (78.3% BEVs and 9.6% PHEVs). The Tesla Model Y set a new annual sales record for any car model in Norway. It is expected that in 2025, only zero-emission cars will be sold in Norway, which means that even plug-in hybrids will eventually be phased out. In the coming years, the internal combustion engine fleet in the country, including non-rechargeable hybrids and plug-in hybrids, is likely to be significantly reduced.