Norway Hits Record 98.6% EV Share in April

[Astro_Guy]

See https://thedriven.io/2026/05/05/norway-hits-record-98-6-pct-ev-share-in-april-led-by-vw-and-toyota/

Norway is an interesting case. The country itself is a little larger than New Mexico but the population is less than that of the Philadelphia metro area. Norway exports 1.5 million barrels of oil per day. In spite of this it appears that ICE vehicles are going the way of the dinosaur.

There is a lot of interesting data here in terms of company and model market shares. Toyota ranks #2 behind Volkwagon. Tesla is all the way down at #11. A little research indicates that there are over 27,000 public charge points in Norway which doesn't count the ones at private residences.

 

[Trav]

Social manipulation through taxation at it finest. Good to see VW on top though.

https://elbil.no/english/norwegian-ev-policy/

 

[Hohn]

This is not surprising.

This is like a headline saying that "Saudi Arabia hits 99% gas stove usage". Well yes. When you have an abundance of a resource, you use that resource.


One could say that NOrway is the Saudi Arabia of hydro electric power, but that somewhat understates it, certainly on a per capita basis.

I had an LLM put this together:

 

[KrisZ]

Yes, we should be more like Norway…

 

[Astro_Guy]

Social manipulation through taxation at it finest. Good to see VW on top though.

https://elbil.no/english/norwegian-ev-policy/

That's interesting that Norwegians don't mind paying 3x the cost of charging at home when using a DC fast charger. Based upon my limited knowledge that seems to be the same multiplier near me. @JeffKeryk posted a price of $0.48/kWh for a recent fast charge in California but the going rate appears to be $0.59/kWh in my neck of the woods.

 

[Astro14]

Yes, we should be more like Norway…

In what way? Investing the cash derived from selling a natural resource? Having a geography that allows for extensive hydropower? Extensive taxation? Policy that forces consumer choice? Higher cost of living?

 

[Marcozi]

In what way? Investing the cash derived from selling a natural resource? Having a geography that allows for extensive hydropower? Extensive taxation? Policy that forces consumer choice? Higher cost of living?

Norway is perennially one of the happiest countries in the world.

 

[gfh77665]

Yes. When Norway dedicated itself to punishing ICE vehicles owners and for all intents and purposes forcing them in to EV's, then YES, EV usage will grow quickly and displace ICE vehicles.

Shocker.

 

[gfh77665]

Norway is perennially one of the happiest countries in the world.

Maybe that's true, but it has little to do with vehicle mandates. Its a different discussion.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Maybe that's true, but it has little to do with vehicle mandates. Its a different discussion.

If Norway didn’t like it, they would elect different leaders. But they don’t. Maybe they like EVs.

 

[Trav]

Norway is perennially one of the happiest countries in the world.

Yet their suicide rate is higher than many European countries.

https://nyrequirements.com/blog/countries_around_the_world_ranked_by_suicide_rate

 

[buster]

maybe they just like and prefer EVs?

Did anyone ever stop and think some may just want an EV because it's an EV?

 

[demarpaint]

maybe they just like and prefer EVs?

Did anyone ever stop and think some may just want an EV because it's an EV?

That could be a valid reason for sure. OTOH when you look at what they pay for gas I say choke someone long enough and they'll submit. Time to hide.

 

[RBT]

maybe they just like and prefer EVs?

Did anyone ever stop and think some may just want an EV because it's an EV?

Or maybe you need a car and one option has tax incentives up the wazoo and the other option is the financial equivalent of hitting yourself on the head with a mallet to see if it hurts. No surprise you take the money.

The government did not pay people to use cars
Instead of horses. Yes infrastructure was developed to support the choice but it was not coerced as an initial matter.

 

[buster]

Yeah I'm not trying to justify or anything but there are those green types (often misinformed) that go for anything like that just because...

 

[RBT]

If Norway didn’t like it, they would elect different leaders. But they don’t. Maybe they like EVs.

Fair point to some degree but sometimes people have learned all the wrong things and it is difficult to change minds.

 

[Trav]

If Norway didn’t like it, they would elect different leaders. But they don’t. Maybe they like EVs.

If it were only that simple but it isn't.

 

[RBT]

Yeah I'm not trying to justify or anything but there are those green types (often misinformed) that go for anything like that just because...

Joking around aside I don’t doubt that there are advantages to EVs. If I lived in a perpetually sunny place such as Southern California or Spain, I would seriously consider panels or cells on the roof with an EV, as it can make sense. As I have said, my objection is when you start handing out direct subsidies - think cash for clunkers 15 or so years ago - the government can seriously distort the market choices of individuals.

 

[gfh77665]

If Norway didn’t like it, they would elect different leaders. But they don’t. Maybe they like EVs.

They don't have a choice but to "like" EV's.

Its either that, or walk.

 

[gfh77665]

maybe they just like and prefer EVs?

Did anyone ever stop and think some may just want an EV because it's an EV?

Cant tell. They don't have a choice.