Norway is leading the way in the global transition to electric mobility. Last year, the market share of plug-in vehicles rose from 65 percent to 80 percent, and the country is on track to reach its goal of 100 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2025. This success is largely due to a substantial package of government incentives, such as an exemption from hefty sales taxes on vehicles, making plug-ins more affordable than legacy vehicles.
However, the Norwegian government has recently announced new taxes on EVs priced above 500,000 Norwegian kroner (around $50,000). This has caused some concern among EV advocates, who are campaigning hard to remind the government of the importance of incentives in order to reach their climate goals.
The Norwegian success story is also down to the availability of a wide range of EV models. According to the Norwegian Road Federation, the 10 top-selling cars in 2022 were all BEVs, including Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, BMW iX, Volvo XC40, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi e-tron, Polestar 2 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Norway’s example shows that it is possible for any country to transition to electric mobility. However, it is important to note that Norwegians do not share Americans’ fascination with pickup trucks, and more EVs with cabs, beds and trailer hitches need to be introduced in order for the US to follow suit. Nevertheless, Norway’s message to the rest of the world is clear: now there is no excuse for the ICE’s unnecessary pollution when the climate crisis is so urgent to solve.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
