Norway is poised to become the world's first country to effectively erase gasoline and diesel cars from its new car market, with electric vehicle (EV) sales surging to nearly 97% in the first few weeks of 2024. This remarkable transformation is attributed to long-term policies, strong incentives for EV adoption, and a supportive public attitude.
Norway , renowned for its vast oil and gas reserves, has emerged as a global leader in sustainable transportation . The country's electric vehicle (EV) sales have surged from less than 1% of total auto sales in 2010 to a remarkable 88.9% last year. According to data from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, EVs accounted for over 96% of new cars sold in the first few weeks of 2024.
This puts Norway on the verge of becoming the first nation to effectively eliminate gasoline and diesel cars from its new car market, a non-binding goal set by lawmakers back in 2017. Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association (NEVA), anticipates that Norway will achieve this target. In fact, Bu revealed that plans were underway to celebrate what she described as a historic milestone with a party on February 13th. 'We have already invited numerous politicians and stakeholders to a party on the 13th of February because, while we don't know the exact figure until the year ends, all indications suggest we will reach somewhere between 95% and 100% this year,' Bu stated in a video call with CNBC. Norway's Deputy Transport Minister Cecilie Knibe Kroglund attributes the country's success to long-term and consistent policies that support EV adoption rather than imposing bans on internal combustion engine vehicles. 'We will not return to the bulky, noisy, and dirty diesel car,' Kroglund emphasized. 'For the majority, it simply isn't logical.' Norway's EV incentives include a VAT exemption, discounts on road and parking taxes, and access to bus lanes. The government has also invested heavily in public charging infrastructure, with many Norwegian households able to charge their cars at home. Kroglund characterized the shift as a 'new normal' for the nation of 5.5 million. 'Transport plays a crucial role in achieving climate-friendly solutions. Therefore, we need to ensure that the success we've had with cars can be applied to other areas of the transport sector,' Kroglund explained.The country aims to fully transition to electric city buses by 2025 and make heavy-duty vehicles 75% renewable by the end of the decade. While new car sales in Norway are nearing 100% electric, there are still a significant number of vehicles with internal combustion engines on the road. NEVA's Bu noted that 28% of cars nationwide are fully electric, although this figure rises above 40% in the capital city of Oslo. 'Numerous middle-aged men have approached me, stating, 'I would never have considered an electric car — not at all,' and then they add, 'But now I drive a …' and they proudly share the model they drive, expressing their enthusiasm for the technology,' Bu shared. 'Our entire society has undergone this mental shift. I mean, Norwegians aren't inherently greener or more inclined towards this than others. It was the policies that made the difference, and people quickly understood and changed their thinking about it,' she further added. The absence of a strong automaker lobby in Norway is believed to have contributed to the country's high EV adoption rate. Bu stated that while there have been political debates regarding the merits of transitioning away from internal combustion engines, those opposing the switch 'haven't been strong enough or organized enough.' In contrast to Norway's push for full electrification, EVs accounted for only 8.1% of total U.S. sales in 2024, up from 7.8% in 2023, according to market research firm Rico Luman, senior sector economist for transport and logistics at Dutch bank ING, believes that Norway's EV leadership demonstrates that other countries can follow suit. 'Norway is a global frontrunner and, in this respect, also an example for other countries. However, it's important to remember that Norway is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe, which can readily afford substantial budgets,' Luman explained in an email to CNBC. 'Another factor is that energy is relatively inexpensive in Norway (as a major oil and gas exporter), which makes EVs more appealing,' he added
Electric Vehicles Norway Sustainable Transportation EV Adoption Climate Change Automotive Industry Government Policies Charging Infrastructure
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