– It’s really hard to refuel our diesel car. It is insanely expensive. When the dealer here in Kirkenes brought in an electric car that was right for us, we struck, says Samuline Henriksen. Henriksen says she and her husband have been considering an electric car for a while, and they are not alone. Because with fuel prices up to 30 kroner a liter, more and more people choose to buy an electric car. According to the Road Traffic Information Council, more than 80 per cent of all new cars sold in Norway are now electric cars. At the same time last year, the share was 56.8 per cent. For example, 14,500 electric cars were sold in March this year, compared with 6,400 the month before. In the north, the increase has been greater. In Troms and Finnmark, 927 electric cars were sold in the first half of 2021. This accounted for 38.2 per cent of total new car sales. At the same time this year, 1,400 were sold, which gives a percentage of 66.3. The majority of Finnmark people who buy a new car now do as Samuline Henriksen does. They buy an electric car. Photo: Kristina Kalinia / news – People run in the door here and want an electric car Samuline Henriksen says better range and shorter distance between the charging stations make it possible for the family in Kirkenes to drive electrically. In Finnmark, electricity prices are also far below what people in the south have to pay. By driving an electric car instead of a diesel car, the Henriksen family saves several thousand kroner a month. – We are very lucky here in Finnmark when it comes to electricity prices. If the price level remains as it does on electricity, it is very profitable to drive electric. Sales manager Oskar Langli at Toyota says there is a queue to buy an electric car in Alta. Photo: Jan-Erik Steine / news The increased interest in electric cars is also noticeable at car dealers throughout Finnmark. Sales manager Oskar Langli at Toyota in Alta, says people in the municipality are in line to buy an electric car. – Now there is a cry for help. We see prices up to 28 kroner. People run in the door here and want an electric car. Great interest leads to long waiting time The increased interest in electric cars throughout the country, leads to many suppliers struggling to deliver enough cars. There are some car dealers in both Alta and Kirkenes brands. Thomas Ingerøyen at Kirkenes Bil says they have had delivery challenges on new electric cars in the last two years. – The corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine have helped to slow down the production and delivery of new cars. We hope it will be a little better over the autumn. Unni Berge of the Norwegian Electric Car Association says that they also see that the waiting time for some models is long. – There are probably a number of consumers who have ordered an electric car who have to wait until next year before they get it, says Unni Berge. Unni Berge, Head of Communications at the Norwegian Electric Car Association, is pleased that the proportion of electric cars is increasing sharply in the districts. Photo: Oddmund Reisæter Haugen / news More expensive to drive an electric car next year To increase interest in electric cars, a policy has been made where you get an exemption from purchase taxes. Today, you do not pay VAT and one-time tax on these cars. But in the revised state budget in June, the Storting decided that from 2023 there will be VAT on the most expensive electric cars. Unni Berge says the electric car association is skeptical that cars will increase in price. – The electric car benefits have worked well for a long time for those who live in suburban areas. But now these cars have also become popular throughout the country. The benefits must benefit everyone. From next year, electric cars over 500,000 will have to pay VAT. The Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF) believes this goes beyond those who buy electric cars with a long range. Thor Egil Braadland, Authority Contact in NAF, believes that increased prices will hit the districts the hardest. – This is a breach of promise from the government. Rising prices for the most expensive long-range electric cars are hitting the districts. This is where the distances are great, says Braadland. Minister of Transport and Communications Jon-Ivar Nygård is concerned that the benefits of electric cars will lead to fewer people driving public transport in the cities. Photo: Pål Hansen More expensive in the cities People in the cities will also notice that it is becoming more expensive to drive electric cars. Earlier in May, news reported that large transport projects are in trouble with financing because electric cars pay less tolls. Minister of Transport and Communications Jon-Ivar Nygård (Labor Party) has announced that the government will look more closely at the benefits of using electric cars in urban areas. The signals from the government worry Unni Berge in the electric car association. – We want to warn politicians against believing that electric car sales go by themselves. They must avoid creating uncertainty that it will pay to choose an electric car in the future, says Unni Berge.
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Electric car sales are increasing all over the country, especially in the north. – news Troms and Finnmark
