rainman + 263 January 2, 2019 Almost a third of new cars sold in Norway last year were pure electric, a new world record as the country strives to end sales of fossil-fueled vehicles by 2025.In a bid to cut carbon emissions and air pollution, Norway exempts battery-driven cars from most taxes and offers benefits such as free parking and charging points to hasten a shift from diesel and petrol engines. The independent Norwegian Road Federation (NRF) said on Wednesday that electric cars rose to 31.2 percent of all sales last year, from 20.8 percent in 2017 and just 5.5 percent in 2013, while sales of petrol and diesel cars plunged. “It was a small step closer to the 2025 goal,” by which time Norway’s parliament wants all new cars to be emissions-free, Oeyvind Solberg Thorsen, head of the NRF, told a conference.Still, he cautioned that there was a long way to go since two-thirds of almost 148,000 cars sold in 2018 in Norway were powered by fossil fuel or were hybrids, which have both battery power and an internal combustion engine. Sales of pure electric cars surged 40 percent to 46,092 in 2018 while sales of diesel models fell 28 percent, petrol cars were down 17 percent and hybrids that cannot be plugged in fell 20 percent. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pavel + 384 PP January 2, 2019 Another win for Norway. But, they only have 5.3 million residents. I support their efforts.Taxes are a delayed payment for services ie: education and heath care. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
50 shades of black + 254 January 2, 2019 Yep. It's feasible in a small country! Indeed, small and very successful country with the best conditions for life in the world Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damirUSBiH + 327 DD January 2, 2019 Norway is genius, selling the oil to the world whilst using clean energy at home! Very clever and forward thinking people! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainman + 263 January 2, 2019 They do things for sustainability....The silent boom - Norway's electric car revolution..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinto + 293 PZ January 2, 2019 Sounds incredible: “To help sales, the Norwegian government waived hefty vehicle import duties, registration, sales taxes for buyers of electric cars. Owners don't have to pay road tolls, and get free use of ferries and bus lanes in congested city centers.” 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Warnick + 6,100 January 2, 2019 That is a pretty incredible deal. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damirUSBiH + 327 DD January 2, 2019 That is the beauty of Scandinavian countries. Governments are working for their citizens and helping them in any occasion.. Enough benefits for all Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Janet Alderton + 124 JA January 3, 2019 LETTER Norway’s Energy Paradox June 21, 2017 In Oslo, a driving-school owner charging an electric Nissan Leaf, which is used in the school’s lessons.CreditThomas Haugersveen for The New York Times CreditCreditThomas Haugersveen for The New York Times To the Editor: Re “Oil Producer. Climate Ally. Norway Is a Paradox” (news article, June 18): There is no easy answer to this. The world needs more energy and less carbon: less coal, more efficient use of oil and gas and more renewables. Energy transformation will take time. Statoil, the biggest energy company in Norway, provides millions with energy daily, reliably and responsibly. We produce oil and gas with 50 percent less emissions than the world average. If we stop, others will deliver. When discussing climate, an international perspective is needed. Indeed, carbon dioxide emissions in Britain are at a 120-year low. Why? Natural gas, much of it delivered through pipelines from Norway, and renewables have replaced coal. To meet demand, exploration for oil and gas within rigorous environmental regulations is still needed. But we will also quadruple investments in renewables, including offshore wind outside New York. The Paris agreement, which we support, is about reducing one’s own emissions and to contribute globally with actions and policies. That is how we balance the paradox. BJORN OTTO SVERDRUP OSLO The writer is senior vice president for corporate sustainability, Statoil. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites