Norway is poised to become the first nation to effectively eliminate gasoline and diesel car sales, achieving over 96% electric vehicle (EV) sales in early 2025. This success stems from consistent, long-term government policies incentivizing EV adoption, including tax breaks and infrastructure investment, rather than outright bans. The country’s rapid shift, contrasted with the U.S.’s 8.1% EV market share in 2024, demonstrates the potential for other nations to follow suit, though Norway’s affluence and cheap energy are significant contributing factors. The transition is considered a “new normal,” with plans to electrify city buses by 2025 and heavily reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.
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Honda and Nissan have initiated six months of merger talks, aiming to create the world’s third-largest automaker and bolster their competitiveness against Chinese rivals. Mitsubishi, already allied with Nissan, will also participate. This merger follows a trend of auto industry consolidation, though past attempts have yielded mixed results. However, the high costs of electric vehicle transition and intensifying Chinese competition necessitate a strategic alliance to ensure survival and future growth.
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In November, Norway registered over 10,000 new electric vehicles (EVs), maintaining a remarkable 93.6% EV market share for new car registrations. This success builds on previous months and surpasses November 2022’s figures, indicating the country’s EV transition is nearing completion. Tesla’s Model Y led sales, while the Volvo EX30 secured second place, highlighting the growing EV model diversity. Norway’s achievement stems from government incentives, though these have been adjusted recently to promote alternative transportation methods and address the high cost of luxury EVs.
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John Q. Hosedrinker