While many nations struggle to reach double-digit EV adoption rates, Norway has shattered expectations with a staggering 96.9% market share for new electric vehicles in June 2025. This remarkable achievement represents the culmination of a deliberate, long-term strategy that has transformed Norway into the world’s first major car market approaching complete electrification. The shift has been swift and decisive, with some recent months seeing up to 98% of new registrations being fully electric vehicles.
The numbers tell a compelling story. June 2025 witnessed 17,799 new EVs hitting Norwegian roads, dwarfing the mere 577 non-electric vehicles registered that same month. Traditional combustion engines have practically disappeared from showrooms, with diesel claiming just 0.8% of the market and petrol vehicles a minuscule 0.3%. Even hybrid vehicles, once considered the bridge technology to electrification, have seen their market share plummet from 17% to 2% year-over-year. Tesla’s Model Y continues to dominate with 5,004 new registrations in June alone, representing 27.2% of all vehicles sold.
Norway’s success stems from a policy framework established in 2017, targeting 100% zero-emission new car sales by 2025. I’ve observed few countries maintaining such policy consistency, which has given automakers and consumers alike the confidence to embrace electrification wholeheartedly. The country’s approach focused on consumer incentives rather than imposing outright bans on conventional vehicles. The results speak for themselves: EVs now constitute 28.9% of all cars on Norwegian roads, surpassing petrol vehicles (23%) though still trailing diesel (36%). Norway’s ambitious EV adoption significantly contributes to reducing the vehicle emissions that typically account for nearly 29% of greenhouse gases in many countries.
What makes Norway’s case particularly instructive is its cold climate. The notion that EVs aren’t suitable for harsh winter conditions has been thoroughly debunked by Norwegian drivers who’ve embraced electric mobility despite living in one of the world’s coldest countries.
The evolution extends beyond percentages. Norway’s overall vehicle market grew by 39.1% year-on-year in May 2025, indicating that electrification hasn’t hampered automotive enthusiasm. As the average Norwegian car ages at 11.5 years, the fleet changeover to electric will likely accelerate.
Manufacturers worldwide are taking note, adjusting production priorities to follow Norway’s lead in what increasingly looks like the inevitable future of personal transportation.
