Norway is a firm believer in the electric vehicle revolution. It offers the most sophisticated system of electric vehicle incentives of any country on the planet. It covers a wide range of issues, from no acquisition taxes on the new electric automobiles to reduced charges on tunnels, bridges, and highways. These initiatives were implemented to assist Norway in reducing its total greenhouse gas footprints in compliance with the Paris Climate Agreements.
Those EV regulations are working, according to Statistics Norway’s newest study. Emission levels for the country in 2020 were 49.3 million tons, down 3.5 percent from the previous year. Let’s be clear: 2020 was an extraordinary year due to the epidemic and all of the societal upheavals it brought about. Emissions have decreased over the world as a result of job and travel limitations. EVs did, however, contribute to additional reductions in emissions.
According to Elbil, the Norwegian electric vehicle organization, a large part of the reduction was due to the increased number of electric vehicles on Norwegian roads. In reality, when compared to 2019, automobile emissions reduced by 4% in 2020. According to Statistics Norway, the transportation industry contributes to 30% of Norway’s greenhouse emissions, with road traffic accounting for little over half (17%). The decrease is attributed to fewer miles driven as well as the fact there are much more electric vehicles on the road. For the first time, we reported that electric vehicles were using toll roads surrounding Oslo in greater numbers than gasoline-powered vehicles.
“This shows that once again the electric-vehicle policy we continue pursuing in Norway is among the most effective climate metrics we have,” says Unni Berge, Elbil’s communications manager. “It also emphasizes the need to proceed as much as possible with this strategy until we have nearly pretty much the whole car fleet electrified.”
She goes on to say that she hopes the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow will result in new agreements that help speed up the transition to electric vehicles. “It is critical to developing effective emission-reduction techniques as soon as possible.” The transportation industry is responsible for more than 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which must be reduced over the next several decades. Norway is setting an example for other nations by having the world’s most aggressive phasing-in target for zero-emission passenger cars and vans, as well as the most stringent laws. Year after year, we observe a reduction in emissions.”
“We’re seeing that the road traffic emission numbers are in accordance with the pattern we’ve seen in the fuel sales statistics.” For the very first time in history, the overall revenue of diesel and gasoline in Norway declined three years in a row during the period 2017–2019,” she says.
