Norway – the world’s EV capital

According to an AFP report, there are currently 3891 EVs in the Scandinavian kingdom, whose population is estimated at just shy of five million. Compare that with Australia, which only has slightly more than 100 EVs and more than 22 million people.

The popularity of EVs is so strong that the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was the highest-selling small car in Norway throughout the first quarter of 2011. Mitsubishi has delivered more than 700 i-MiEVs in Norway so far this year.

The Norwegian Government has recently introduced a number of incentives to encourage motorists to switch from conventional cars to EVs.

Owners do not have to pay congestion fees or pay for parking in public car spaces.

They are also permitted to drive in bus lanes, helping them avoid traffic jams during peak hour.

According to Norway’s Transport Minister, 24 percent of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions come from road transport. As the country is aiming to decrease its emissions by 30 percent before 2020, EVs may need to play a significant role in its future transport solutions.

Estimates suggest Norway’s current sub-4000 EV fleet will save more than 6000 tonnes of CO₂ every year.

Norway’s icy winter is one deterrent for motorists, with the freezing temperatures reducing the efficiency and range of EV batteries. However, the government is determined to overcome this with a complete fast-charging network across the country that will top up most batteries in just 20 minutes.