Summary
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are often considered an environmentally friendly alternative to gas-powered cars. But it cannot be the sole solution for climate change. With the government’s generous financial incentives, 87% of Norway’s new car sales are fully electric, a number far greater than the European Union (13%) or the United States (7%). Yet, while EVs have reduced car emissions, it has largely been at the expense of compromising vital societal goals. This EV boom makes it difficult for Norwegian cities to promote other transportation modes like transit or cycling as they become relatively less cost-competitive. The subsidies encouraged more individuals to purchase cars, especially for wealthier residents. By the end of the 2010s, Norwegians owned 10% more cars per capita due to the EV incentive. The Norwegian government has since begun to require EV owners to pay for parking, road tolls, and ferries, similar to other automobile drivers. For other countries, Norway’s experience offers a cautionary lesson on inequality and the impacts of EV policies on public transit and different transportation modes such as e-bikes.
