Norway wants to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2025 through taxation

Norway wants to end sales of petrol and diesel cars. The Nordic country’s goal is for 100% of its car fleet to be made up of sustainable vehicles by 2025. The government will use the “polluter pays” system to encourage the purchase of low-emission models: hybrids and electric cars.

In a report published on the eco-transport website Elbil, the Norwegian government has stated that the goal of achieving a car market made up of sustainable vehicles is “feasible if the appropriate policy measures are used“. The document argues that introducing a “green tax system” would motivate the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles over traditional ones; in any case, the relevant policies would not directly ban the purchase of petrol or diesel models.

Norway will have one charging point for every 10 electric vehicles in 2020Today, electric vehicles used for rental already are exempt from taxes in Norway. Other zero-emission models have free access to the BUS-VAO lanes, toll roads and ferries at no cost. In contrast, the country’s internal combustion cars are subject to various charges depending on their CO₂ and NO_X emissions.

With the aim of expanding its infrastructure and providing better service for sustainable mobility, the Norwegian government has set itself the target of reaching one charging point for every 10 electric vehicles by 2020.

Electric car sales accounted for 22% of the Norwegian car market in 2015; this figure is expected to rise to 30% in the next three years. If the forecasts come true, the number of electric vehicles could reach 250,000 units, which in turn would mean the Norwegian road network could come to have 25,000 public charging points.