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EV Adoption in Norway: An Example To Follow?

Writer's picture: Guillaume LaneGuillaume Lane

Norway has emerged as a global leader in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), setting a benchmark for other countries to follow. The Nordic nation has achieved remarkable success in transitioning its transportation sector to electric mobility, with a significant portion of its vehicle fleet (90% of new cars) now comprising EVs. This is an exceptional achievement, but it comes with some areas for vigilance, including a few caveats. We believe that under the eye of membership organisations, a country following in Norway's footsteps could speed up 1.5°C aligned EV rollout.


An Exceptional Achievement


Norway's commitment to electric vehicles is evident in its impressive statistics. As of 2023, about 90% of all new cars sold in Norway were electric, including both battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).


In September 2024, while still behind the 999,715 diesel-powered cars in circulation, 754,300 EVs outnumbered the 753,900 petrol-powered cars used by Norwegians.


The country has set an ambitious goal to ensure that all new cars sold by 2025 are zero-emission vehicles, further cementing its position as a pioneer in sustainable transportation.

The shift to electric vehicles in Norway brings numerous benefits. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This is particularly important for a country like Norway, which is committed to combating climate change.


The transition to EVs also aligns with Norway's goal of reducing its carbon footprint and achieving its climate targets. Additionally, EVs offer economic benefits, including lower operating costs due to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses.


Compared to other countries, Norway's EV adoption rate is unparalleled. While countries like Germany, France, and Sweden have made significant strides in promoting electric vehicles, Norway's achievements stand out.


In 2022, the number of fully electric cars exceeded 500,000 in Germany, the UK, France, and Norway. However, Norway's share of fully electric cars is far higher than any other country.

How They Did It


It all started in the 1990s, with progressive taxation of petrol and diesel to support Norwegian EV manufacturers. Norway's success in promoting EVs can be attributed to a combination of policy measures and economic incentives. The Norwegian government has implemented a range of incentives, including tax exemptions, access to bus lanes, and free parking.


"I don't think a green mindset has much to do with it. It has to do with strong policies, and people gradually understanding that driving an electric car is possible." Christina Bu, Secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association, for BBC

These policies have made EVs a competitive and attractive option for consumers. Additionally, Norway's abundant hydropower resources provide a clean and renewable source of electricity, further enhancing the environmental benefits of EVs.

Caveats And Areas For Vigilance


Norway deserves recognition as an exceptional example to follow on many levels when it comes to facilitating and accelerating the uptake of EVs. However, while Norway's EV success story is commendable, there are areas that require vigilance to ensure that this EV uptake stays aligned with a 1.5°C, low carbon economy. We often look for easy fixes when it comes to climate change, often preferring to listen to Socrates' sweet-seller rather than the doctor. What climate professionals call "electrification of end uses", of which EVs are a part, is no exception to that - we need to be mindful about how it's done.


To ensure 1.5°C alignment of transportation, key steps include decarbonisation of power generation, electrification of end uses (typically transportation through EV rollout), but also resource efficiency.


Switching to electric only ensures that electricity powers the car rather than fossil fuels. On the other hand, efficiency ensures that the fossil fuels necessary to build the car and its supporting infrastructure are a worthy investment emissions-wise. High efficiency means that less energy and resources are used for transportation as a whole, including in manufacturing and use - the positive impact of switching to electric could theoretically be offset by the negative impacts of purchasing bigger vehicles, more often, and using them more.


High efficiency typically also ensures that the grid produces enough electricity for both transportation and other end-uses (lighting, heating, manufacturing, data, cooling, etc) and sectors.


In other words, in addition to switching to EVs, countries need to decrease the total number of cars in circulation in favour of car pooling, car sharing, public transportation, cycling and other solutions. Moreover, when it comes to EVs in circulation, they need to have longer lifetimes and smaller mass.


Looking at EV sales, we can notice an apparent problem: more than three quarters of the cars sold are SUVs weighing above 4,100lbs all the way up to 5,000lbs, which is between 25% and 50% heavier than smaller, non-SUV electric cars.


Another potential issue is the rebound effect, where the environmental benefits of EVs are offset by increased vehicle use or purchase. Thankfully, Norway has a decarbonised power grid, and the total number of cars is decreasing slightly in the country - meaning that the next area for vigilance in addition to vehicle mass is vehicle lifetime, to monitor during the next few years.


Membership Organisations Can Improve And Speed-Up EV Rollout


Let's not attempt to sell a dream here. EV rollout in Norway started three decades ago, and while extremely successful in setting a benchmark for the world and achieving unprecedented levels of electrification, it's not something that any country can just replicate within the next few years.


Firstly, we're out of time and secondly, as pointed out by Christina Bu for the BBC, different markets require different policies.


Not only that, but the world needs to electrify end uses for both developed and developing countries beyond transportation - we therefore need to be careful with regards to the number and mass of new EVs, and make sure that we don't treat them as a standalone solution to net zero transport. They are the biggest part of it for sure, but not all of it.


All these obstacles require an appropriate solution, and membership organisations worldwide could be it.


Membership organisations have a unique and global reach into all the facets of any climate solution. You name it: industry know-how, reach into supply chains, education and training potential, advocacy to authorities - they do it all. Climate mitigation is a multifaceted problem with multifaceted solutions, and membership organisations naturally cover all of them.


When it comes to net zero transportation it's not just for EV associations to get involved - most membership organisations have some role to play. It becomes more obvious the closely your industry is related to transportation (BEAMA is a great example of this) but it's not a prerequisite for impact.


Here's what you can do as a membership organisation.


  1. Lead by example by setting up a plan for reducing emissions with your own organisation. There are exceptions but it's likely that this will involve managing transportation emissions for events or commuting.

  2. Educate your members: we need everyone on board to globally mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects, from businesses to consumers as well as public authorities. Fortunately, by educating businesses - which is hugely beneficial in its own right - you're also raising awareness among employees who happen to be consumers and voters who have a say in what the economy should look like, and that includes transportation. If your members have a natural industry-based influence over the sector (if you're involved with grid works, road works, automotive manufacturing, transportation of goods and people, tourism, cycling, education, marketing, or even if your members manage parking lots or fleets of vehicles) that's even better.

  3. Help your members manage their own footprints by giving them resources, best practices to follow, but also access to low carbon innovations, processes as well as access to relevant funding to decarbonise and/or innovate.

  4. Get involved in transportation policies from end to end: liaise with authorities, set standards for your sector, advocate on behalf of your members and find out if your sector has any role to play to ensure 1.5°C aligned transportation in your country or in related industries.


Norway's success in promoting electric vehicles serves as a model for other countries looking to transition to sustainable transportation. Through a combination of policy measures, economic incentives, and a commitment to renewable energy, Norway has achieved remarkable success in EV adoption. However, to maximise the benefits of this transition, Norway must remain vigilant in addressing potential challenges and continue to promote sustainable transportation practices.


By doing so, Norway can amplify the impact of its EV achievements and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future. Membership organisations can draw inspiration from this success story and accelerate sustainable and 1.5°C aligned EV uptake globally.


CAFA has developed a Low Carbon Travel Policy Template to guide membership organisations in creating and implementing their own policies to reduce emissions from work-related travel.


Members can access the template through their member log-in.


Interested in becoming a member? Join here: https://www.climateactionforassociations.org/join


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