With about 100,000 electrics on the road, Norway (population 5 million) trails only the U.S., China, and Japan in absolute numbers. By 2025, the government has suggested, there may be no gasoline- or diesel-powered cars sold in the country.
The Tesla Model 3 is in a class of its own. It’s quicker and more fun to drive than a BMW, safer than a Volvo, has better tech than a Mercedes, and often has a total cost of ownership similar to a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. All of that makes it a highly competitive vehicle in several markets. Its biggest downside is that the starting price, especially in Europe, put it in the premium car class, and many consumers can’t afford a premium-class car.
Prior to the introduction of supportive government policies, most battery electric vehicles (BEV) were in Oslo, Norway. In March 2014, one percent of the vehicles on the roads were electric, while 21% of new vehicle sales were plug-in vehicles. Five years later, in March 2019, 58.4% of new vehicle purchases were fully electric.
California’s a huge market for Tesla, the Netherlands loves Tesla, Switzerland loves Tesla, but no state or country is as Tesla obsessed as Norway.
The Dutch plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market had another great month in June, with 4,543 plug-in registrations, up 196% year over year (YoY). That translated into a PEV share of 11%. The year-to-date (YTD) count reached 20,047 units, which means a market share of 8.9%, well above the 6% of 2019.
Model 3 sales in the first half of 2019 are more than 50% of all Tesla Model 3 sales in that country since 2013. Norwegians are lovin’ their Model 3s!
The Dutch plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market had another positive month in May, with 2,688 plug-in vehicle registrations — up 193% year over year (YoY). That translated into a PEV share of 7.3% on the broader auto market. The year-to-date (YTD) count is now up to 15,537 units, with the 2019 PEV share at 8.3%, well above the 6% of last year.
The Dutch plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market had another positive sales month in April, with 2,520 plug-in vehicle registrations, up 150% year over year (YoY). That translated as a PEV share of 8% across the overall auto market, pulling the year-to-date (YTD) count to 12,944 units, and keeping the 2019 PEV share at 9% — above last year’s final result.
Tesla wasn’t just the #1 electric vehicle or #1 small or midsize luxury vehicle or #1 luxury vehicle in the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland in March. It was the #1 top selling vehicle across the board.
Last month, fully electric vehicles saw their registrations double year over year (YoY), pushing the overall market up +28% despite sales of every other powertrain type dropping at least 20%, which led to record fully electric vehicle (58%) and overall plug-in vehicle (69%) shares. As you already know, Tesla Model 3 deliveries went through the roof in March, with the model achieving 5,315 registrations, a new all-time record for any nameplate in Norway, whatever the fuel source.
