Oslo: Electric vehicles (EVs) made up 89 percent of new car sales in Norway in 2024, according to a report by the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) released on Thursday. The country is now only 10 percent away from achieving its ambitious goal of having all new cars sold be fully electric by 2025.

Of the 128,691 new car registrations last year, 114,400 were electric—a significant increase from the 82 percent market share in 2023. This marks the highest proportion of electric car sales in any major national car market globally.

Norway, despite being a major oil and gas producer, has consistently led the global shift towards zero-emission vehicles. Its 2025 target for fully electric car sales is a decade ahead of the European Union's goal. The country's transition has been driven by an array of incentives introduced over the past decade.

In 2012, electric cars accounted for just 2.8 percent of new car sales. Since then, they have surged in popularity due to tax exemptions, toll-free driving, free parking, and access to public transport lanes. Although some of these incentives have been scaled back over time, electric cars have become mainstream, supported by competitive pricing and growing consumer demand.

"It is crucial to maintain the incentives that favor the purchase of electric cars if the government and parliament are to achieve the goal they themselves set," said Oyvind Solberg Thorsen, director of OFV, in a press statement.

Tesla remains the dominant player in Norway's EV market, capturing 19 percent of total sales. Other leading manufacturers include Volkswagen, Toyota, Volvo, and BMW.

Looking ahead, Thorsen noted the potential for emerging competition. "In 2025, it will be interesting to see whether new Chinese brands and models will manage to strengthen their position among buyers," he said.

Norway’s success in transitioning to electric vehicles underscores the impact of strong policy measures and consumer-focused incentives, providing a model for other countries aiming to accelerate their EV adoption.