four out of five new battery cars

In Norway, nearly 80 percent of new cars sold are now electric. This is according to data released by the Norwegian automotive industry association OFV. Norwegians bought more than 174,000 cars last year. Of these, more than 138,000 were fully electric.

Tesla was the most popular car brand among Norwegian motorists. The American company has sold more than 21,000 vehicles. Followed by Volkswagen, BMW with three and Toyota with four. According to OFV, the Tesla Model Y was the most popular car, followed by the Volkswagen ID4 and the Skoda Enyaq.

The share of electric cars increased sharply last year: In 2021, 65 percent of new cars sold were electric models, up from 80 percent last year. Ten years ago, only 2.9% of new cars in the country were electric.

Norway does not want new fossil fuel-powered cars to be sold by 2025, even though the country itself is a major oil and gas producer. Generous tax breaks on electric cars cost the Norwegian Treasury around 4 billion euros in tax revenue last year.

For example: An electric Porsche Turbo S costs more than 161,000 euros. But if it were a fossil fuel-powered car, more than 199,000 euros would have had to be paid. Electric car owners in Norway also benefit from other benefits, which will be phased out over the next few years. New taxes are also being introduced.

The electric car is also gaining momentum in the Netherlands. As of November 30 last year, more than 316,000 were driving around, reports the Dutch business agency. Calculated up to and including November, around 21 percent of new cars sold in the Netherlands were completely electric.