Norway has become known as the global leader in electric mobility, and it’s clear to see why. This Scandinavian country has set bold targets to go 100% electric in transportation by 2030. Norway wishes to lead the charge in reducing the carbon footprint and ushering in a greener economy. While the world watched, this nation has tirelessly worked towards this goal. Their early and proactive stance to mitigate climate change and promote electric mobility has been lauded by intergovernmental organizations, such as the United Nations.

The Norwegian government, local cities, and businesses have been hard at work to build the infrastructure required for mass adoption of electric vehicles (EV). Today, Norway has more electric vehicles on the road as a proportion of the population than any other country in the world. In 2020, EV sales surpassed all records with 54.3% of all new car sales being electric. Norwegians are making the switch, thanks to the government’s incentives, like tax breaks and other perks for EV driving. This coupled with the great availability of charging stations has fuelled the demand for electric vehicles.

The Rise of Electric Buses and Ferries

Norway’s electric mobility journey goes beyond cars; it has also seen the rise of electric buses and ferries. Today, electric or bio-degradable low carbon-emission buses are being used in several cities across Norway, and one of the country’s largest ferry operators has committed to transition towards electric propulsion with its new fleet. In 2019, electric ferries transported more passengers than ever before. The successful implementation of electric ferries is seen as an important step to reducing the carbon footprint and shows the country’s commitment to transitions to electric transportation.

Norway’s Advantages

Norway has several unique advantages in its pursuit of electric mobility. Firstly, the country has a natural storehouse of renewable energy resources, like hydroelectric power, wind power, and fossil-free natural gas, which helps to supply the energy needed for electric vehicles. Norway can now boast of having the happiest EV drivers in Europe because of its high-quality infrastructure, where the public charging network is extensive and easily accessible.

In addition, Norway’s high taxation system has also been beneficial for electric vehicle owners. In Norway, EV owners don’t have to pay annual road tax and, since 2012, have been exempt from the 25% VAT. Electric vehicles also enjoy rankings near the top in terms of value depreciation. As a result, many Norwegians only pay 10-15% more than for a gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle.

Key Challenges for Norway’s Electric Mobility

Nevertheless, there still remain some challenges that Norway’s electric mobility journey faces. One of the major hurdles is the availability of electric ferries and buses. While some cities have started transitioning towards electric buses, the majority of them are still diesel-powered. Similarly, most of the country’s ferries are still metropolitan-sized diesel-run vessels. Transitioning those towards electric ferries presents a great challenge to the infrastructure because of most of the country’s ferry routes are extremely long.

In addition to the challenges posed by these bigger vehicles, establishing a supportive environment for electric mobility in rural areas is another issue. Charging station infrastructure must thus be expanded to rural areas, where the high percentage of electric vehicles could put a strain on existing stations.

The Future of Electric Mobility in Norway

Given the Norwegian government’s ambitious goals to go completely electric in transportation by 2030, steps will have to be taken to further promote electric mobility. The government has committed funds to push for the wider adoption of electric vehicles. This would require significant investment in infrastructure such as more charging stations on residential roadsides, along highways, and in rural areas where the current network is limited.

Besides this, the switch to electric mobility has the potential to change the landscape of infrastructure in other ways. This includes potentially more investment into local renewable fuels, so CEOs want to remain competitive in the international market where the trend for electric mobility is shifting.

With its natural resources and government commitment, Norway’s electric mobility journey looks set to lead the way for the rest of Europe. Its commitment to clean energy and carbon reduction cannot be understated, and as the country continues to make progress towards its goal of 100% electric mobility, it will likely inspire action in other countries as well.