Here’s a shocking truth: Norway, the global leader in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, has seen a slight dip in new EV registrations. But before you panic, let’s dive into the numbers—they tell a far more fascinating story. Despite this minor decline, a staggering 97.4% of new passenger vehicles registered in October were electric. That’s 10,852 out of 11,138 cars, proving Norway’s commitment to electrification remains unshaken. And this is the part most people miss: the year-to-date EV share has soared to 95.2%, up from 88.8% at the same point in 2024. The Norwegian Road Information Council (OFV) reassures us that October is typically a slower month, and this year’s figures align with seasonal trends.
The overall car market in Norway is booming, with 124,463 new registrations in the first ten months of 2025—a 20.4% jump from 2024. Of these, 118,460 were fully electric, while plug-in hybrids trailed far behind at just 1.8% market share. But here’s where it gets controversial: could Norway’s dominance in the EV market be at risk as other countries ramp up their electrification efforts? The OFV confidently states, “These figures confirm Norway remains the global leader,” but the question lingers: for how long?
What’s more intriguing than October’s 97.4% EV share (slightly down from September’s record 98.3%) is what’s coming next. With new VAT rules set to take effect in 2026, many buyers might rush to purchase EVs before the exemption ends. “People are likely considering bringing forward their car purchases,” notes OFV Director Geir Inge Stokke. This could spark a year-end surge in demand—or will it?
In the brand battle, Volkswagen took the crown in October with 1,565 all-electric registrations, followed by Volvo and BMW. Tesla, despite producing the Model Y in Germany, lagged with just 671 registrations. Is Tesla losing its grip on the Norwegian market, or is this just a quarterly delivery pattern? The Model Y still topped the model rankings with 592 registrations, but its September peak of 4,132 units feels like a distant memory. Volvo’s EX40 and VW’s ID.7 trailed closely, each capturing 5.3% market share.
Chinese brands are making waves too, with the BYD Sealion 07 and Xpeng G6 entering the top ten. Meanwhile, the Škoda Elroq, Ford Explorer, and BMW i4 held their ground in the mid-size segment. Stokke observes, “Competition is heating up. New models are gaining traction fast, and sales are spreading across brands. This signals a maturing EV market.”
The van market is also going electric, though at a slower pace. In October, 45.9% of new vans registered were electric, up from 28.7% last year. But Stokke warns, “Many companies face financial hurdles. Predictable incentives and stable policies are critical for progress.”
So, here’s the big question: Can Norway sustain its EV leadership as the global market evolves, or will emerging competitors steal the spotlight? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
