EV pioneer Norway probably postponing electric van target

Norsk elbilforening, the Norwegian association for electric vehicles, had previously called for this. The background to this is that – in contrast to passenger cars – the previous target of 100 per cent new electric registrations by 2025 will be missed by a wide margin for vans. Remember: last year, less than 29 per cent of light commercial vehicles sold in Norway were electric – compared to 82 per cent of passenger cars, as reported.

Norsk elbilforening, the Norwegian association for electric vehicles, therefore stated at the beginning of 2024 that it saw ‘no chance’ of achieving the 2025 decarbonisation target for vans. According to Elbil figures, around half a million vans are registered in Norway. This is said to make up around 15 per cent of the entire vehicle fleet, but vans are said to be responsible for up to 27 per cent of CO2 emissions.

The Norwegian Environmental Protection Agency and the National Public Roads Administration are now supporting the 2027 target and have also announced measures to achieve it. For example, those responsible want to reduce the tax burden on combustion vans, promote the charging infrastructure and grant owners of electric vans tax and usage benefits (including exemption from tolls and better driving tariffs). So far, this is still a ‘recommendation’ from the authorities. The official resolution is still pending.

miljodirektoratet.no via elbil.no (in Norwegian)