In a first, electric cars outsell traditional ones in Norway

COPENHAGEN – In a symbolic first, electric cars outsold fossil fuel-powered ones in Norway last month.

Christina Bu, the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association’s general secretary, says sales figures show 58.4 per cent of new cars sold in the country in March were battery-powered, calling it “historically high.”

Bu added Monday that electric cars’ share of the market in the first three months of 2019 was 48.4 per cent and is expected to hover around 50 per cent for the whole year.

Norway has waived hefty vehicle import duties and registration and sales taxes for buyers of electric cars to boost sales. Owners don’t pay road tolls and use bus lanes in congested city centres. The aim to have all new cars in the Scandinavian country be electric by 2025.