Oslo’s Electric Revolution: How EVs Transformed a City

In 2025, 93 percent of all new cars sold in the Norwegian capital are fully electric. That remarkable figure is not just a statistical curiosity; it reflects a deliberate, long-term effort to reshape how people move through the city, while tackling climate change and cutting air pollution.  

A Bold Vision From the Start 

Oslo’s EV story begins with vision and policy. As early as 2012, Norway’s national government and the local authorities in Oslo aligned behind a simple but ambitious goal: make fossil fuel vehicles obsolete. To achieve this, they rolled out generous incentives for EV buyers, including tax exemptions, reduced registration fees, and, for a time, even free public parking. 

The approach worked. EVs were no longer a niche curiosity but an attractive mainstream option. The city’s streets, once dominated by combustion engines, gradually filled with silent, emissions-free vehicles. 

Incentives That Changed Behaviour 

Much of Oslo’s success can be traced to the everyday perks that made EV ownership convenient and affordable. Early EV drivers enjoyed toll-free roads, access to bus lanes, and exemption from purchase taxes. For many households, these savings made the difference between sticking with a gasoline car and switching to electric. 

At the same time, Oslo recognised that incentives alone would not be enough. A reliable charging infrastructure was essential to overcome “range anxiety.” The city invested heavily, building more than 2,600 public charging points as of 2025. Drivers could find a charger not just in central hubs, but also in residential neighborhoods and shopping areas. In addition, the city subsidised up to 30 per cent of the investment cost for charging infrastructure in housing cooperatives and condominiums.   

National Policy, Local Commitment 

Norway’s government set the stage with a bold target: end the sale of fossil-fuelled cars by 2025. This deadline sent a clear message to both automakers and consumers: the future would be electric. 

But policy only works when people believe in it. Oslo backed the transition with public engagement campaigns such as “Electric Days,” where residents could test-drive EVs, ask questions, and experience the technology firsthand. This bottom-up enthusiasm created a culture where driving electric became not just normal, but aspirational. The individual motivations for choosing an EV may differ, but the effects on emissions reductions remains the same.  

The city also extended electrification beyond private cars. Buses and ferries have shifted to electricity, slashing emissions from the broader transport sector. Today, it is common to board a quiet, battery-powered bus or cross the fjord on an electric ferry. Over the last five years, Oslo has also worked systematically to incentivise electric heavy-duty trucks. So far in 2025, one out of five trucks sold in Oslo has been electric. 

Technology Meets Innovation 

Of course, none of this would be possible without rapid advances in battery technology. New generations of lithium-ion batteries, and emerging solid-state designs, have extended range, cut charging times, and made EVs more practical for daily use. 

Equally important is the city’s smart charging system. Oslo has pioneered intelligent charging solutions that balance demand on the grid. Dynamic pricing encourages drivers to charge at off-peak times. This “system thinking” prevents bottlenecks and maximises the climate benefits of going electric.  

Lessons for Other Cities 

Oslo cooperates with cities worldwide, both to share lessons learnt and to gain insights from their own experiences. When it comes to EVs, other cities can replicate our success — if they adopt the right mix of policies, infrastructure, and community engagement.  

1. Make EVs financially attractive. Subsidies, tax breaks, and reduced fees remain some of the fastest ways to encourage adoption. For Oslo, the differentiation of road tolls between EVs and polluting cars has been, and still is, one of the crucial policies. 

2. Build infrastructure early. A robust, widely available charging network reduces anxiety and signals that the city is serious about supporting EV drivers. Location matters: chargers should be in busy areas as well as residential zones. 

3. Use your purchasing power. Buy EVs for your own operations and set requirements for the transport of goods and services that you procure.  

4. Win public trust. Campaigns that allow citizens to experience EVs firsthand can break down scepticism. When people see neighbours and friends driving electric, the transition feels natural. 

5. Think beyond private cars. Electrifying buses, taxis, delivery vans, trucks, and ferries magnifies the benefits, cutting emissions across the whole transport system. 

Cleaner Air, Lower Emissions 

The payoff is clear. Oslo has cut local air pollution of NOx, giving residents cleaner, healthier air to breathe. Carbon emissions from transport have fallen sharply, helping Oslo move closer to its climate goals. The transition to electricity also means vehicles with much lower noise levels, benefiting residents, drivers, and passengers alike. And far from stifling mobility, the transition has sparked innovation, making Oslo a living laboratory for sustainable transport. 

For car enthusiasts, Oslo’s story is not about giving up the joy of driving. It’s about embracing a new kind of performance—one measured in torque, silence, and environmental impact rather than noise and exhaust fumes.  

The Road Ahead 

Oslo’s experience proves that the transition to clean mobility is not a distant dream, but a reality already transforming city life. The only question is how quickly others will follow. 

The author is Vice Director and Head of the Climate Department, Agency for Climate, Oslo.