Norway is forging ahead with ambitious plans for electric trucks, aiming for all new vehicles to either be electric or powered by biogas by 2030. Despite these efforts, 2024 saw a surprising decline in overall electric truck sales compared to the previous year. Yet, a small glimmer of hope emerged, as electric trucks made up 12.6% of all new truck purchases—a slight increase of 0.3 percentage points from 2023.
The Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association highlighted the upward trend in heavy-duty electric trucks, noting that sales nearly doubled for those over 12 tonnes, with 371 new vehicles added to the fleet, representing a staggering 91% increase. The majority of these trucks were provided by Volvo, while Scania secured an 18% share.
However, the broader outlook remains challenging, particularly for electric vans. Last year’s numbers indicated that only 29.6% of new vans sold were electric, a decline from the previous year. This has prompted calls for urgent political action to bolster electric vehicle adoption.
Efforts to improve the situation include expanding the charging network and offering incentives, such as toll exemptions for electric trucks until 2030. The government is also considering tax increases on fossil-fuel vans to make electric options more appealing. While support for electric vans is in the pipeline, industry leaders express concern that it may not be enough to drive substantial market changes by 2025.
Norway’s Electric Truck Revolution: Challenges & Future Directions
Norway continues to pursue an ambitious path towards electrification, with a goal for all new vehicles to be electric or biogas-powered by 2030. Despite these bold plans, the electric truck market faced an unexpected downturn in sales for 2024, highlighting significant challenges in the transition to greener transport options.
Electric Truck Sales Insights
In 2024, total electric truck sales saw a decline compared to the previous year, though there is a slight improvement in terms of market share. Electric trucks comprised 12.6% of all new truck purchases, marking a modest increase of 0.3 percentage points from 2023. This indicates a potential stabilization in electric truck adoption, even amid broader sales challenges.
Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks Boom
A notable highlight is the dramatic surge in demand for heavy-duty electric trucks, particularly those exceeding 12 tonnes. Sales in this segment nearly doubled, with 371 new vehicles registered—a remarkable 91% increase and a testament to growing interest in larger electric transport solutions. Volvo leads the market by a significant margin, while Scania commands an 18% market share in this category.
Electric Van Setbacks
Conversely, electric vans are facing steeper challenges. Recent statistics show that only 29.6% of new vans sold in 2023 were electric, marking a decline from previous years. This trend has prompted urgent calls for policy interventions to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) landscape, particularly for light commercial vehicles.
Policy Measures and Industry Support
The Norwegian government is considering various incentives to accelerate EV adoption, including expanding the charging infrastructure and introducing toll exemptions for electric trucks until 2030. There is also a proposal to elevate taxes on fossil-fuel-powered vans, potentially making electric alternatives more attractive to consumers.
Market Trends and Future Projections
While the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association expresses optimism regarding heavy-duty electric trucks, industry leaders remain cautious about the outlook for electric vans. They believe that without substantial policy support and market traction, it may be challenging to achieve significant growth in this segment by 2025.
Conclusion
The Norwegian approach to electric vehicles presents both opportunities and challenges. As the nation strives to become a leader in sustainable transport, a balanced strategy that includes support for both trucks and vans will be essential to meet its ambitious targets.
For more information on electric vehicles and industry developments, visit the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association for the latest insights and reports.
