How did Norway become the electric car superpower?
Oil money, civil disobedience – and Morten from a-ha
Norway has emerged as an electric vehicle (EV) leader with over 90% of new cars sold being electric, and the origins of this trend lie in the unexpected combination of oil wealth, civil disobedience, and the influence of Morten Harket from the pop band a-ha.
In Norway, a staggering 82.4% of cars sold in 2023 were electric, with January 2024 seeing 92.1% electric car sales. This is in sharp contrast to the UK where only 14.7% of new cars were electric in January and even lower in the EU at 10.9%. Stavanger, ironically Norway's oil capital, has played a crucial role in the adoption of EVs through early trials of electric buses and hosting the Electric Vehicle Symposium.
Architect and planning professor Harald Nils Røstvik was a key player in this revolution. Alongside environmental activist Frederic Hauge and the iconic a-ha members Morten Harket and Magne Furuholmen, Røstvik embarked on civil disobedience in the late '80s by driving a modified electric Fiat Panda without paying tolls. Their campaign led to incentives for electric cars like free tolls and parking, tax exemptions, and bus lane access.
Despite initial ridicule, the involvement of a-ha celebrities helped bring media attention to their cause. Through persistent efforts, including their car being towed and reacquired multiple times at auctions, Norway began to shift toward electric transport.
Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV Association, attributes Norway's success to favorable tax policies that made EVs competitively priced and an early adoption of such vehicles. This shift benefitted from Norway's political climate, efficient meetings with politicians, and a collective societal movement toward EVs driven not by eco-consciousness but by the appeal and performance of electric cars.
While Norway's wealth largely comes from oil and gas, the country also excels in renewable energy, with the majority being hydroelectric, facilitating the transition to electric transport. Eimund Nygaard, CEO of utilities company Lyse, reinforces that Norway's robust energy infrastructure supports EV charging and points to the future with electric ferries and the planned electrification of Norway's bus fleets.
Despite this progress, not everyone is convinced; some still prefer fossil fuel vehicles for their convenience. However, the general sentiment remains positive, with EV owners enjoying the comfort and performance of their vehicles.
The story concludes with an unconventional photo shoot without Morten Harket but acknowledges his contributions to Norway's EV journey as the author ends up driving around in a reliable Nissan Leaf, reflecting on the transformation initiated years ago by a converted Fiat Panda and a group with a vision.
In Norway, a staggering 82.4% of cars sold in 2023 were electric, with January 2024 seeing 92.1% electric car sales. This is in sharp contrast to the UK where only 14.7% of new cars were electric in January and even lower in the EU at 10.9%. Stavanger, ironically Norway's oil capital, has played a crucial role in the adoption of EVs through early trials of electric buses and hosting the Electric Vehicle Symposium.
Architect and planning professor Harald Nils Røstvik was a key player in this revolution. Alongside environmental activist Frederic Hauge and the iconic a-ha members Morten Harket and Magne Furuholmen, Røstvik embarked on civil disobedience in the late '80s by driving a modified electric Fiat Panda without paying tolls. Their campaign led to incentives for electric cars like free tolls and parking, tax exemptions, and bus lane access.
Despite initial ridicule, the involvement of a-ha celebrities helped bring media attention to their cause. Through persistent efforts, including their car being towed and reacquired multiple times at auctions, Norway began to shift toward electric transport.
Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV Association, attributes Norway's success to favorable tax policies that made EVs competitively priced and an early adoption of such vehicles. This shift benefitted from Norway's political climate, efficient meetings with politicians, and a collective societal movement toward EVs driven not by eco-consciousness but by the appeal and performance of electric cars.
While Norway's wealth largely comes from oil and gas, the country also excels in renewable energy, with the majority being hydroelectric, facilitating the transition to electric transport. Eimund Nygaard, CEO of utilities company Lyse, reinforces that Norway's robust energy infrastructure supports EV charging and points to the future with electric ferries and the planned electrification of Norway's bus fleets.
Despite this progress, not everyone is convinced; some still prefer fossil fuel vehicles for their convenience. However, the general sentiment remains positive, with EV owners enjoying the comfort and performance of their vehicles.
The story concludes with an unconventional photo shoot without Morten Harket but acknowledges his contributions to Norway's EV journey as the author ends up driving around in a reliable Nissan Leaf, reflecting on the transformation initiated years ago by a converted Fiat Panda and a group with a vision.