Norway Nears 100% Electric Vehicle Sales as EV Market Surges in 2025
Norway’s Electric Car Market Hits Record Levels
Electric vehicles now dominate Norway’s new car market, bringing the country close to achieving its long-standing goal of selling only zero-emission vehicles. Recent registration data show that fully electric models accounted for 95.9% of all new car sales, highlighting Norway’s position as a global leader in electric mobility.
The milestone is especially notable because Norway remains Western Europe’s largest producer of oil and gas. Over a decade ago, the country introduced a non-binding target for all new vehicles to be emission-free by 2025, well ahead of the European Union’s timeline. Incentives and regulatory measures have steadily shaped consumer behavior since then.
Record Vehicle Registrations in 2025
According to the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council, 179,549 private vehicles were registered in 2025, surpassing the previous record set in 2021. The shift was most pronounced in December, when electric vehicles accounted for 97.6% of all new car sales—one of the strongest months ever recorded.
Council Director Geir Inge Stokke attributed the surge to changes in tax policy. Many consumers accelerated their purchases ahead of adjustments to value-added tax (VAT) rules that took effect on January 1, 2026. The VAT exemption threshold for new electric vehicles was lowered from 500,000 kroner (~€42,500) to 300,000 kroner. Plans to remove the tax entirely, originally scheduled for 2027, have now been postponed until 2028.
Tesla Remains Market Leader While Chinese Brands Grow
Tesla maintained its lead in Norway’s electric vehicle market, accounting for approximately 19.1% of new car sales in 2025, with 34,285 deliveries marking a new internal record.
Chinese automakers also expanded their presence, raising their combined market share to 13.7%, up from 10.4% the previous year. This reflects their rapidly growing influence in the Norwegian EV market and increasing competition in Europe.
Norway Sets Global Example for EV Adoption
Norway’s near-total adoption of electric vehicles showcases a successful national strategy for reducing emissions in transportation. The combination of clear policy goals, financial incentives, and early adoption by consumers positions the country as a benchmark for other nations pursuing zero-emission vehicle targets.
