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Is this really a surprise? Massive government incentives and cheap electricity. I was there this summer working on an oil rig (Aasta Hansteen), ironically. Tes

Is this really a surprise? Massive government incentives and cheap electricity. I was there this summer working on an oil rig (Aasta Hansteen), ironically. Teslas, BMW i3's/i8's and more... everywhere. What is more, is that many of the Norwegians who work in the oil industry own electric cars because "petrol" cars are too expensive.

epistasis 9y ago
It is to me, given the level of subsidy and current tech! And there are always plenty of people who will believe that electric cars will never work for any significant chunk of a population. Even on seeing data like this they will probably retreat to "oh it's a European country, nothing like what I experience." The level of economic tax break is such that a Leaf costs about the same as a Golf[1]. These are pretty equivalent cars in size, though the Leaf is more fun around town, and the Golf more fun on the highway. But the Leaf has a huge range disadvantage. Wikipedia also says: >Electric vehicles are also exempt from the annual road tax, all public parking fees, and toll payments, as well as being able to use bus lanes. These incentives are in effect until the end of 2017 or until the 50,000 EV target is achieved. People are buying these largely as second cars (which is what everybody should be doing, IMHO). Once the battery costs come down so that 300-500km BEV range costs same cost as gas up front, BEVs become the primary car, and market share will increase even further. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_electric_vehicles_in_Norway#Existing_incentives https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_electric_vehicles_in_N...
- dmix 9y ago
  This largely has to do with the high average income and a wealthy state than European culture or anything like that. I can't imagine my city ever giving up parking fees or the average person being able to afford a mid-tier electric car, even with the subsidies we have here in Canada. Not to mention there are usually far better offerings for electric cars in Europe. Such as the Golf GTE which isn't available in North America: http://www.autotrader.ca/expert/20170605/first-drive-2018-volkswagen-golf-gte/ http://www.autotrader.ca/expert/20170605/first-drive-2018-vo... The lack of infrastructure is also a big deal. I personally didn't get a plug-in because of the lack of access to plugs in my apartment building and only a few charging stations in my city.
  - epistasis 9y ago
    Are you trying to prove the point of my second and third sentences? :) Otherwise I'm not really sure what you're trying to say.
Proven 9y ago
Exactly. It seems we are expected to celebrate this plunder
jernfrost 9y ago
Talking about massive government incentives destorts reality. Electric cars are more expensive in Norway than in the US where they get a subsidy. A more accurate description would be to say that there is a massive discouragement to buy fossile fuel cars in Norway.
matt_wulfeck 9y ago
Where do you see cheap electricity? Here in San Jose it’s some of the most expensive electricity in the country, yet EVs are extremely popular. Even with expensive electricity the EV is still cheaper than gas and better for the environment.

epistasis 9y ago

It is to me, given the level of subsidy and current tech! And there are always plenty of people who will believe that electric cars will never work for any significant chunk of a population. Even on seeing data like this they will probably retreat to "oh it's a European country, nothing like what I experience." The level of economic tax break is such that a Leaf costs about the same as a Golf[1]. These are pretty equivalent cars in size, though the Leaf is more fun around town, and the Golf more fun on the highway. But the Leaf has a huge range disadvantage. Wikipedia also says: >Electric vehicles are also exempt from the annual road tax, all public parking fees, and toll payments, as well as being able to use bus lanes. These incentives are in effect until the end of 2017 or until the 50,000 EV target is achieved. People are buying these largely as second cars (which is what everybody should be doing, IMHO). Once the battery costs come down so that 300-500km BEV range costs same cost as gas up front, BEVs become the primary car, and market share will increase even further. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_electric_vehicles_in_Norway#Existing_incentives https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_electric_vehicles_in_N...

dmix 9y ago
This largely has to do with the high average income and a wealthy state than European culture or anything like that. I can't imagine my city ever giving up parking fees or the average person being able to afford a mid-tier electric car, even with the subsidies we have here in Canada. Not to mention there are usually far better offerings for electric cars in Europe. Such as the Golf GTE which isn't available in North America: http://www.autotrader.ca/expert/20170605/first-drive-2018-volkswagen-golf-gte/ http://www.autotrader.ca/expert/20170605/first-drive-2018-vo... The lack of infrastructure is also a big deal. I personally didn't get a plug-in because of the lack of access to plugs in my apartment building and only a few charging stations in my city.
- epistasis 9y ago
  Are you trying to prove the point of my second and third sentences? :) Otherwise I'm not really sure what you're trying to say.

Proven 9y ago

Exactly. It seems we are expected to celebrate this plunder

jernfrost 9y ago

Talking about massive government incentives destorts reality. Electric cars are more expensive in Norway than in the US where they get a subsidy. A more accurate description would be to say that there is a massive discouragement to buy fossile fuel cars in Norway.

matt_wulfeck 9y ago

Where do you see cheap electricity? Here in San Jose it’s some of the most expensive electricity in the country, yet EVs are extremely popular. Even with expensive electricity the EV is still cheaper than gas and better for the environment.