Electric Cars Outnumber Gas Guzzlers in Norway for the First Time

In a groundbreaking milestone, electric cars have surpassed gasoline-powered vehicles in Norway. According to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV), there are now more all-electric cars registered in the country than those running on petrol, reports The Guardian. This historic shift underscores Norway’s rapid transition towards a greener future.

A Historic Milestone

The OFV reported that out of the 2.8 million private cars registered in Norway, 754,303 are all-electric, compared to 753,905 petrol cars. Diesel models still lead with just under 1 million, but their sales are plummeting.

“This is historic. A milestone few saw coming 10 years ago,” said OFV director Øyvind Solberg Thorsen.

Norway, despite being a major oil and gas producer, has set an ambitious target for all new cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2025. This goal is 10 years ahead of the EU’s target. In August, all-electric vehicles made up a record 94.3% of new car registrations, with the Tesla Model Y leading the charge.

Incentives Driving the Shift

Norway’s success in promoting electric vehicles (EVs) is largely due to generous tax rebates offered by the government. These incentives make EVs competitively priced compared to traditional fuel, diesel, and hybrid cars. This strategy is part of Norway’s broader effort to meet its climate commitments by electrifying road transport.

Norway vs. Europe

Norway’s EV success stands in stark contrast to the struggles seen elsewhere in Europe. Electric car sales began falling at the end of 2023 and now account for just 12.5% of new cars sold on the continent. This disparity highlights the effectiveness of Norway’s policies and the need for other countries to adopt similar measures.

EVXL’s Take

Norway’s achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished with the right policies and incentives. As we see more countries following suit, the future of electric vehicles looks brighter than ever. For more on Tesla’s role in this transition, check out our recent articles on Tesla.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this milestone in the comments section below.