Petrol Cars Face Extinction in Norway as Only Seven Sold in January
New data from Norway shows that petrol cars are on the brink of extinction, with drivers purchasing just seven new petrol vehicles in January. This startling figure underscores the country's leading role in the transition to electric mobility.
Record Low for Fossil-Fuel Car Sales
According to information from the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council (OFV), only seven petrol cars were registered last month, along with 29 hybrid and 98 diesel cars. In stark contrast, over 2,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold during the same period.
Geir Inge Stokke, director of the OFV, commented on the low sales, stating, "The January figures are not a sign that demand has stopped, but a result of the extraordinary final rush before the new year." He added, "We expect registrations to pick up again as the market stabilises."
Norway's Push Towards Electric Vehicles
Norway is a frontrunner in electric vehicle adoption, actively working to phase out internal combustion engines that contribute to climate change and extreme weather events. The January sales data reflects this ambitious goal, even as overall car sales were low due to customers buying in December to avoid January tax increases.
Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, emphasized that the progress seen in 2025 does not mean the job is complete. "Two out of three people still drive fossil-fuel cars," she told NRK, the Norwegian public broadcaster. "If they are to have the opportunity to choose electric cars, we must be just as ambitious in 2026."
Electrification Expands to Used Car Market
Stokke noted that electrification is now gaining traction in the used car market as well, making electric vehicles more accessible to a broader range of buyers. However, analysis from Ember reveals that the tax burden on electric cars remains significant, with rates reaching up to 86% in higher brackets, which could impact affordability.
This shift away from petrol cars highlights Norway's commitment to sustainable transport and sets a precedent for other nations aiming to reduce carbon emissions from the automotive sector.
