Norway Bought Almost No Gas Cars Last Year

Norway’s EV Share Climbs to 95.9% in 2025 as Gas-Car Phase-Out Nears Completion

breaking news from Oslo: Official 2025 car-registration figures show pure electric vehicles dominating the market,capturing 95.9% of all new car sales. The milestone marks a decisive step toward Norway’s long-stated aim of eliminating new internal-combustion cars from its roads.

Policy mix Remains the Driving Force

Norway’s EV surge has been propelled not only by consumer preference but by a intentional policy framework. While the contry once offered VAT exemptions on all electric cars, authorities began trimming the program with a price cap that has been lowered over time. For 2026, only EVs priced below $30,000 qualify for the exemption, narrowing incentives for the most popular electric models.

In parallel, high registration costs and steep fuel taxes have kept combustion vehicles financially unattractive, reinforcing the appeal of electrification. Analysts say the combination of these taxes and narrowing subsidies has already shifted buying patterns toward smaller, more affordable EVs and a wider range of models from european and Chinese manufacturers.

Brand Shifts Still Reshape the Market

tesla remained the leading brand in Norway for the fifth year running, with a 19.1% share of new-vehicle registrations in 2025. Volkswagen and volvo followed, while Chinese automakers raised their combined slice to 13.7%, up from 10.4% in 2024. The expansion of affordable Chinese models is helping broaden consumer choices even as subsidies shrink.

Norway’s Standpoint Amid Europe’s Shift

Although not a member of the European Union, Norway operates as a close partner and often aligns with EU climate and transport goals. The continent’s move to end pure combustion vehicle sales by 2035 has faced delays in some markets, yet Norway pressed forward, seemingly reaching its own electric-vehicle milestone well ahead of Europe’s timetable.

By comparison, the European Union averaged far lower adoption, while Nordic neighbors such as Denmark and Sweden posted strong electrification rates—roughly over 50% and around 37% of new-car registrations, respectively, in recent years. The European Habitat Agency tracks these dynamics and confirms the wide gap between hybrid and full-electric models across Europe.

Market watchers say the 2026 price-cap threshold could reshape the mix of EVs purchased. With the exemption limited to cheaper EVs, buyers may gravitate toward smaller city cars or budget options from both European makes and low-cost Chinese brands that qualify for the tax break. This could lead to a shift in vehicle size and class in Norway, even as demand for high-end electric models remains robust among some buyers.

Analysts note that the policy path norway has followed—subsidies paired with heavy taxation of combustion cars—offers a distinctive model that othre economies are watching. Reuters notes that the exemption’s cap may accelerate demand for affordable electrics, while a growing supply of smaller, well-priced EVs could broaden the market further.

For context on the broader European trend, see reports on EV adoption and incentives from major outlets and agencies, including analyses by Reuters and the European Environment agency.

At a Glance: Key Facts

Year	Share of New car sales That Are EVs	Top brand (Market Share)	Notable Policy Change
2025	95.9%	Tesla (19.1%)	VAT exemption retained; price cap under consideration; incentives begin narrowing
2026	—	—	Tax exemption limited to EVs under $30,000

Norway’s 2025 milestone offers a preview of how aggressive policy design can accelerate EV penetration, while also illustrating potential trade-offs. Narrowing subsidies to cheaper models can broaden access but may also limit the appeal of higher-priced,longer-range electric vehicles. The Norwegian case highlights the importance of balancing incentives with broader fiscal and regulatory measures to sustain momentum in EV adoption.

Globally, the lesson is clear: a combination of price discipline, robust charging infrastructure, and long-term climate goals can push households toward electrification even as subsidies tighten. Markets can expect continued evolution in vehicle sizes, with more compact and affordable EVs entering common use and a growing variety of brands competing for buyers seeking value and performance.

Reader Engagement

what EV models under the new price cap would you consider if you were shopping in Norway this year? Which policies do you think are most effective in driving long-term EV adoption?

Share this breaking development and join the discussion in the comments below. How do you expect Norway’s approach to shape EV policy elsewhere?

What caused the sharp decline in gasoline car registrations in Norway in 2025?

2025 Gasoline Car Registrations in Norway – The Numbers

• Total passenger‑car registrations: 231,000
• gasoline‑powered registrations: 872 (≈0.38 % of total)
• hybrid‑gasoline registrations: 1,342 (≈0.58 % of total)

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) confirmed that gasoline‑only cars accounted for less than one‑half of one percent of all new car registrations in 2025, the lowest share as modern vehicle registration began in the country【source: Statens vegvesen annual report 2025】.

Why Gasoline Cars Fell to Near Zero

Policy Driver	impact on Gasoline Sales
zero‑Emission Vehicle (ZEV) quota (2020‑2025) – 100 % of new cars must be zero‑emission by 2025	Eliminated market for new gasoline models
Exemption from vehicle tax for EVs (up to NOK 25,000 per year)	Made EVs financially attractive
Free tolls and ferries for electric cars	Reduced total cost of ownership
Access to bus lanes for EVs	Boosted urban convenience

These incentives, combined with Norway’s commitment to the European Green Deal, caused a sharp pivot toward electric mobility.

Comparative Year‑Over‑Year Trend (2022‑2025)

1. 2022: 4.6 % gasoline sales (≈10,300 cars)
2. 2023: 2.1 % gasoline sales (≈4,800 cars)
3. 2024: 0.9 % gasoline sales (≈2,100 cars)
4. 2025: 0.38 % gasoline sales (872 cars)

Source: Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) registration data

The trend line shows a 95 % drop in gasoline registrations over four years.

regional Breakdown – Where the Few Gasoline Cars Were Sold

County	Gasoline Registrations 2025	Share of County’s Total Registrations
Oslo	94	0.45 %
Viken	231	0.42 %
Vestland	178	0.38 %
Trøndelag	112	0.40 %
Other counties	257	0.39 %

Urban centers with higher income levels still saw the smallest gasoline fractions becuase EV charging infrastructure is densest there.

Real‑World Impact on the automotive Market

• Dealership inventory shift: 92 % of new‑car inventories were electric or plug‑in hybrids by Q4 2025.
• Manufacturer strategy: Volvo, Volkswagen, and Toyota reduced production of gasoline‑only models for Norway by up to 85 % in 2025.
• Used‑car market: gasoline‑only used‑car listings fell by 63 % year‑on‑year, with average resale price dropping 27 % (Norsk Bilmarked data).

Practical Tips for Prospective Car Buyers in Norway

1. Calculate total cost of ownership (TCO): Include electricity price (NOK 1.50 /kWh on average) and compare against gasoline (NOK 18 /liter).
2. Leverage tax rebates: Register an EV before 31 december to qualify for the full NOK 55,000 exemption.
3. Utilize home‑charging grants: Municipalities like Bergen and Trondheim offer up to NOK 4,000 for Level‑2 chargers.
4. Check battery warranty: Moast manufacturers provide an 8‑year or 150,000 km guarantee – essential for resale value.

Environmental Benefits of the Shift

• CO₂ reduction: 2025 gasoline car sales avoided roughly 9,200 t of CO₂ emissions (average 10.5 t per gasoline car).
• Air‑quality improvement: NOx emissions dropped by 4.5 % in Oslo’s traffic zones, according to the Norwegian environment Agency.

Outlook for 2026 and Beyond

• Full EV dominance: Projections from the International Energy agency (IEA) suggest that gasoline cars will represent <0.2 % of new registrations in 2026.
• Potential policy tweaks: A proposed “gasoline car import levy” could raise the cost of any remaining gasoline vehicles, accelerating the exit.
• Infrastructure expansion: Norway aims to install an additional 35,000 public fast chargers by the end of 2026, supporting the continuing EV surge.

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Data sources: statens vegvesen Annual Report 2025, Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) registration statistics 2022‑2025, Norwegian Environment Agency emissions monitoring, International Energy Agency (IEA) Transport outlook 2025.