Tesla continues to dominate Norway’s car sales for the third consecutive year, solidifying its lead over competitors, despite ongoing tensions with labor unions in the Nordic region. In 2023, nearly five out of six new cars sold in Norway were electric, and Tesla’s market share increased from 12.2% to 20.0%, according to registration data. Electric vehicles, in general, constituted 82.4% of new vehicle sales, a rise from 79.3% in 2022, as reported by the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV).
Norway aims to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2025 and provides substantial incentives for electric vehicles, including tax exemptions. However, some levies were introduced in 2023. Despite facing backlash from Nordic unions for not accepting demands for collective bargaining rights from Swedish mechanics, Tesla’s sales in Norway do not show any signs of decline, according to Christina Bu, head of the Norwegian EV Association.
Tesla’s Model Y, a mid-size crossover SUV, emerged as the most popular model of the year, surpassing competitors like Volkswagen’s ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq. The market shares of other major brands after Tesla were Toyota with 12.4% (up from 8.0%) and Volkswagen with 10.8% (down from 11.6%).
While the conflict with unions has not impacted Tesla’s sales in Norway, the electric vehicle market’s growth is notable. Bu predicts that electric cars could constitute 95% of the market in 2024, a year ahead of the parliament’s 100% goal. Moller Mobility Group, Norway’s largest car retailer selling brands like Volkswagen, Audi, and Skoda, anticipates electric vehicles reaching a 90% market share in 2024.
Despite the positive trend in electric vehicle adoption, challenges remain. In Oslo, over one-third of private cars are fully electric, and this number is expected to reach 50% in the next two years. However, some electric car owners express concerns about insufficient street charging points and argue that current policies favor those who can afford their own charging infrastructure. The push for electric vehicles aligns with environmental goals, reducing noise and air pollution, but there are calls for inclusivity in making electric cars accessible to everyone, regardless of residential conditions.