Norway Achieves Record EV Sales in 2024: 89% of New Cars Fully Electric

Norway continues to lead the world in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with 88.9% of all new cars sold in 2024 being fully electric, according to data from the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV). This marks an increase from 82.4% in 2023, moving the country closer to its ambitious goal of exclusively selling EVs by 2025.

Top Players in the Market

Tesla dominated Norway’s EV market in 2024, followed by Volkswagen and Toyota. Chinese EV brands also made significant inroads, accounting for nearly 10% of new car sales.

“Norway will be the first country in the world to pretty much erase petrol and diesel engine cars from the new car market,” said Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV Association.

Policies Driving Success

Norway’s success lies in its consistent “carrot and stick” policy approach:

• Penalties for ICE Vehicles: Petrol and diesel cars face high taxes.
• Incentives for EVs: EVs are exempt from import and value-added taxes, though some levies were reintroduced in 2023.

Unlike other countries, Norway’s consistent incentives have remained untouched regardless of political changes, earning public trust.

“Very often we see in other countries that someone puts tax incentives or exemptions and then they pull back again,” Bu noted.

Additionally, the absence of a domestic automaker lobby has made taxing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles easier.

Shifting Infrastructure and Behavior

The rise in EV adoption is reshaping Norway’s infrastructure. Fuel stations are rapidly replacing petrol pumps with fast electric chargers to accommodate the growing number of EVs.

“Within the next three years, we will have at least as many charging stalls as we have pumps for fuel,” said Anders Kleve Svela, senior manager at Circle K, Norway’s largest fuel retailer.

Despite some drivers missing the convenience of quick fuel-ups, many appreciate the environmental benefits and the reduced pollution from EVs.

A Model for Others

Norway’s model of incentivizing EVs rather than banning ICE vehicles outright provides a template for other nations.

“Put together a broad package [of incentives] and make it predictable for [the] long-term,” said Deputy Transport Minister Cecilie Knibe Kroglund.

With the European Union planning to ban sales of CO₂-emitting cars by 2035, Norway’s progress serves as a benchmark for sustainable mobility.