Nearly 90% of new cars sold in Norway were electric in 2024

The goal of full transition to electric vehicles (EVs) may seem like a distant dream, but one country has proven that it’s entirely doable. In 2024, nine out of 10 new cars sold in Norway were electric, according to recently released registration data. That amounts to 88.9%, surpassing the 82.4% achieved in 2023. In addition, more than 28% of cars driven in the country in 2024 were electric. How has Norway achieved this?

One big contributing factor is tax policy. Gas- and diesel-powered vehicles are taxed heavily in Norway, while EVs are exempt from import and value-added taxes, Reuters points out. Norway also lacks an automaker lobby, so there’s an absence of political pressure felt in many other countries.

Having incentives rather than strict mandates seems to have had a positive effect – as Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV Association, tells Reuters, “People don’t like being told what to do.” It’s a true statement in any part of the world, and merits some thought about trying different approaches in areas struggling to implement EV adoption.

Interestingly, the majority of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars sold in Norway are purchased by rental agencies, because many tourists are still unfamiliar with and wary of EVs. This is understandable, as there’s a lot of misinformation out there, as well as unfortunate recent high-profile events that cast the safety of EVs into doubt. However, EVs are in reality highly safe, and manufacturers of these vehicles are continually working to further increase their safety. Education and unbiased informational initiatives are critical to gaining public trust for EVs, and as more people own and drive them, they’re likely to seem less intimidating. Norway is a great example, demonstrating that yes, a widespread EV transition really can work.

Norway is possibly one of the best countries to lead the EV charge (pun intended) as it’s consistently presented with one of the biggest challenges to EV ownership and has found ways to overcome it. Cold temperatures have a detrimental effect on battery range and charging capabilities, and Norway regularly faces extreme cold – yet its many EV owners have developed strategies to adapt and go about their day-to-day lives without being constantly stranded. A lot of that is about adequate preparation for low temperatures, which is also required for ICE vehicles, not to mention buildings and infrastructure – it just involves different approaches to preparing.

Many of Norway’s fueling stations are replacing gas pumps with EV chargers, which is key – without adequate places to charge, an e-mobility overhaul will fall flat. Many people still hesitant about EVs report that one of their biggest concerns involves being unable to find a working, available charger when they need one. It’s critical to have a robust, reliable charging infrastructure for drivers to become more comfortable with the idea of EVs, which comes down to the same concept of tax incentives – people are more willing to change their mode of transportation if the change is made attractive and reassurances about its safety and reliability are given. More and more countries are working toward taking more of these measures, and Norway serves as a great example that the measures can and do pay off.