Norway's push for zero-emission vehicles is on track, with electric cars dominating the market in January 2025.
In January 2025, nearly 96% of new cars registered in Norway were electric, marking a significant achievement for the country’s ambitious environmental goals.
Of the 9,343 new cars sold, 8,954 were fully electric, according to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV).
This proportion is far ahead of the European average, where electric cars made up just 13.6% of new vehicle sales in 2024. In comparison, the U.S. saw only about 6% of new cars sold as electric last year.
Norway, a major oil and gas producer, aims for all new cars to be zero-emission by 2025, ten years ahead of the European Union's goal.
Instead of banning cars with internal combustion engines, the country has implemented a system of incentives, including tax breaks, toll exemptions, and free parking, making electric cars more competitive.
While some incentives have been scaled back, the transition to electric vehicles has been largely driven by climate and environmental considerations.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have become commonplace in Norwegian cities, with a growing presence of brands like
Tesla, Audi, and Volkswagen, alongside competitive Chinese brands.
The country’s extensive network of charging stations has made EV ownership practical, even for those who travel long distances.
Despite the gradual removal of some benefits, experts predict that Norway will reach its goal of 100% electric cars in the near future, with projections for 95-100% of new cars to be electric in 2025. A new tax increase on gasoline and diesel vehicles starting April 1 is expected to further encourage EV adoption.