Norway has set a new world record with electric vehicles (EVs) capturing an unprecedented 94.3% of the country’s new car market in August 2024, where this milestone brings the nation closer to its goal of selling only zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2025.

According to data released by the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV), a total of 11,114 new cars were registered in Norway last month, with 10,480 of them being pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This represents not only a record-high market share for EVs but also a significant increase from the 83.7% share recorded in August 2023.

Øyvind Solberg Thorsen, Director of OFV, commented on the achievement stating, “No country in the world comes close to Norway in the electric car race. If this trend continues, we will soon be on our way to achieving our goal of 100 percent zero-emission cars by 2025.”

The Tesla Model Y emerged as the undisputed leader in August, with 2,107 new registrations, accounting for 19% of all new car sales. Other popular models included:

Norway’s success in EV adoption is largely attributed to its generous incentive policies. The country offers significant tax benefits that make electric models competitively priced compared to their fossil fuel counterparts. Additional perks, such as access to bus lanes and parking benefits, have further incentivized buyers to make the switch to electric.

Solberg Thorsen emphasized the importance of these policies, stating, “The enthusiasm for electric cars has long been great in Norway, and good incentives have been crucial in getting us to where we are today.”

Notably, Norway’s achievement stands in stark contrast to EV sales trends in the rest of Europe. While Norway delivers a 94% market share for EVs, the European Union (EU) reported only a 12.1% share for EVs in July, lagging behind gas-powered vehicles at 33.4%, full hybrids at 32%, and even diesel cars at 12.6%.

For the year through August, EVs have accounted for almost 87% of new passenger car sales in Norway. This puts the country well on track to meet its 2025 target of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales, a full decade ahead of the European Union’s (EU) similar goal set for 2035.

For the year through August, EVs have accounted for almost 87% of new passenger car sales in Norway. This puts the country well on track to meet its 2025 target of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales, a full decade ahead of the European Union’s (EU) similar goal set for 2035. Although new tariffs implemented on imported Chinese EVs may slow that growth.

Read More: EU Revises Tariffs on Chinese EVs With Tesla’s Rate Slashed To 9%

As other countries struggle with issues such as high prices and insufficient charging infrastructure, Norway’s success serves as a blueprint for accelerating the transition to electric mobility. As a result, the country’s experience demonstrates that with the right mix of incentives and infrastructure, rapid adoption of EVs can become the new norm in the automotive market.

Want to learn more about EV? Thinking of buying an EV? Head over to EV.com and discover more.

EV.com is the world’s 1st Electric Vehicle (EV) marketplace that aims to promote zero-emission mobility by providing a platform for consumers to learn about, compare, and purchase EVs.