In Norway, 89% of new cars sold in 2024 were electric, the Office of Traffic Information (OFV) reported.
This achievement brings the country closer to its goal of all-electric cars by 2025.
Of the 128,691 new registrations, 114,400 were of electric vehicles, according to OFV. This leaves only 10% to reach the 2025 target, AFP reports.
The share of electric cars in total sales has increased from 82.4% in 2023 to 88.9% in 2024.
With the world's most ambitious target, Norway, despite being a major hydrocarbon producer, wants to sell new zero-emission cars only from 2025, 10 years ahead of the target set by the European Union, of which it is not a member.
"It is crucial to maintain incentives that encourage the purchase of electric cars if the government and parliament want to reach the target they have set," said Øyvind Solberg Thorsen, director of OFV, quoted in the press release.
Powered in particular by Tesla, all-electric cars accounted for 96.4 percent of new registrations in Norway in September, compared with 17.3 percent in Europe.
The Scandinavian country has come a long way - in 2012, the market share of electric cars was just 2.8%.
At the turn of the century, the authorities exempted electric cars from taxes (VAT, registration certificate, weight tax), making the purchase of all-electric cars competitive with those with internal combustion engines, which are taxed at high rates.
Although reduced, the tax breaks have been maintained and complemented by other incentives: electric cars have long enjoyed privileges such as free city charges and free parking in public car parks.
Another important measure was the government's decision in 2005 to allow electric cars to use public transport corridors, thus avoiding congestion.
Over time, these employment benefits have diminished, but electric cars have become a way of life.
In 2024, heavy machinery will dominate automotive sales: Tesla will be in first place with a market share of 18.9%, followed by Volkswagen, Toyota, Volvo and BMW.
"In 2025, it will be interesting to see whether the new Chinese brands and models will be able to consolidate their position among buyers," stated Øyvind Solberg Thorsen.
"Only Tesla has been able to establish a stable market share faster than Chinese brands, which together have captured more than 10% of the new car market in 2024," he added. | BGNES
