Norway has set a new global standard in electric vehicle sales, with electric cars making up 94.3% of all new car sales in August 2024. This achievement, highlighted by the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV), underscores the country’s commitment to a greener future, even as other parts of Europe struggle to match this pace.
Leading the charge was the Tesla Model Y, which took an impressive 18.8% share of total sales. Hyundai’s Kona and Nissan’s Leaf also played crucial roles in this surge, reinforcing Norway’s position as a world leader in electric mobility.
Norwegians purchased 10,480 new electric vehicles in August alone, bringing the yearly total to 68,435. This surge contrasts sharply with the situation in much of Europe, where high costs and lack of infrastructure have slowed the uptake of electric vehicles. Meanwhile, hybrid vehicles, which blend traditional engines with electric power, continue to gain popularity across the continent.
Norway is on track to meet its ambitious goal of selling only zero-emission vehicles by 2025, a full decade ahead of the European Union’s target. Generous tax incentives have made electric cars more affordable and attractive to Norwegian buyers, helping the country maintain its lead in the global shift towards electric vehicles.
Oyvind Solberg Thorsen, the OFV’s director, expressed pride in Norway’s achievements: “If this trend continues, we will soon be on our way to achieving our goal of 100% zero-emission cars by 2025.”
By comparison, electric vehicles accounted for just 12.1% of new car sales across the EU in July. Petrol cars led the market with a 33.4% share, followed by hybrids at 32%, and diesel at 12.6%, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.
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