Norway, one of the world’s leading oil exporters, has reached a significant milestone as the number of electric cars (EVs) on its roads now exceeds those powered by petrol. According to figures from the Norwegian Road Federation, there are 754,303 electric cars registered in the country compared to 753,905 petrol-driven vehicles, out of a total of 2.8 million private cars.
This shift is a significant step toward Norway's ambitious goal of becoming the first nation to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2025. The government has encouraged the adoption of EVs through various tax breaks and incentives, which have been made possible in part by the country’s wealth generated from its oil and gas industries.
Norway has accumulated over $1.7 trillion (£1.3 trillion) in a sovereign wealth fund, often referred to as a "pension fund" for future generations when its oil reserves deplete. This financial security has enabled the government to offer substantial green incentives, such as exempting EV buyers from sales tax.
The push toward electric cars is not a recent phenomenon. Early in the EV revolution, environmental activists in Norway even enlisted the help of the country’s most famous pop group, A-ha, to promote the use of electric vehicles.
Despite this progress, petrol and diesel vehicles still make up a large portion of Norway’s car fleet. Diesel models are the most common, with nearly one million still on the roads, though their sales are declining rapidly. Today, nine out of 10 new cars sold in Norway are electric, according to industry figures.
The widespread adoption of EVs in Norway is driven by more than just tax incentives. Electric car owners enjoy perks like free parking and exemptions from city tolls. Additionally, Norway has addressed one of the most common complaints about EVs in other countries—the lack of charging infrastructure. The country has installed numerous free charging stations, with 2,000 chargers available in Oslo alone, making EV ownership even more convenient for drivers.
