Norway nears 100% goal of all-electric cars

Norway is leading the world in electric vehicle adoption. In January, nearly all new cars sold were electric.

According to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV), 96% of new car registrations last month were EVs, bringing the country closer to its goal of phasing out gas and diesel car sales by 2025.

Of the 9,343 new cars sold, 8,954 were fully electric, leaving only a handful of gasoline and diesel models. Among the top 50 best-selling cars, only two were non-electric, with the highest-ranked gas-powered vehicle appearing in 33rd place.

Despite being a major oil and gas producer, Norway has achieved world-leading EV adoption by offering generous tax breaks and financial incentives rather than outright banning fossil fuel cars.

Drivers of electric vehicles enjoy:
— Tax exemptions making EVs cheaper than gas-powered cars
— Toll-free roads and discounted ferry fares
— Access to bus and transit lanes
— Free or reduced-cost parking in cities

Though some incentives have been scaled back, EVs have become the default choice for Norwegian buyers.

“It started as an environmental decision, but the benefits made it easy,” said Frode Hvattum, an Oslo resident who owns two EVs.

Can Norway reach 100% EV sales?

Experts predict Norway could end 2025 with 95-100% EV sales. A new tax hike on gas, diesel, and hybrid cars taking effect on April 1 is expected to push even more buyers toward electric models.

In January, diesel cars accounted for just 1.5% of sales, while gas-powered vehicles made up only 0.4%, signaling the near-extinction of fossil fuel cars.

Still, EV advocates say Norway must keep supporting the transition. Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, said incentives like toll discounts must continue to encourage secondhand EV adoption.

With EVs now dominating Norwegian roads, the country is proving that a zero-emission future is not just a goal—it’s already here.