Tesla has just rewritten Norway’s automotive history books — and it’s done so with more than a month remaining in the year. In a post from Tesla Europe & Middle East, the automaker confirmed it has become “the brand with the most vehicles registered in a single year in Norway,” breaking a record that stood for nearly a decade.
That previous benchmark belonged to Volkswagen, which registered 26,575 vehicles in Norway back in 2016. Tesla has now surpassed that figure, with registrations already exceeding 26,600 units — and counting.
This milestone makes Tesla the most successful car brand in Norway’s history in terms of annual registrations, a remarkable achievement in one of the world’s most competitive and electrified automotive markets.
Model Y and Model 3 Power the Surge
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that unlike many legacy automakers that rely on broad lineups, sometimes dozens of models across multiple segments, Tesla’s dominance in Norway is driven largely by just two vehicles: the Model Y and Model 3.
Recent sales data shows:
- Model Y: Over 21,500 units
- Model 3: Just over 5,000 units
- Other models (S, X, Cybertruck): Fewer than 100 combined
The Model Y, in particular, has become Norway’s runaway best-seller for 2025, reinforcing its position as one of the most dominant vehicles in the global EV market.
Tax Changes Trigger End-of-Year Buying Rush
One of the key factors behind Tesla’s record-breaking performance is an upcoming change to Norway’s EV tax policies.
The government has proposed reducing the VAT exemption threshold for electric vehicles from 500,000 NOK to 300,000 NOK, which would significantly increase the cost of popular EVs like the Model Y. A vehicle priced at 500,000 NOK could become roughly 50,000 NOK more expensive if the proposal passes. (via TV2)
As a result, Norwegian buyers are rushing to secure their EV purchases before the new rules potentially take effect, creating a surge in demand across the market.
Some automakers have even started offering “VAT guarantees,” promising to absorb the additional tax cost if a customer orders a car this year but receives it after the new tax rules kick in.
Why Norway Continues to Be a Tesla Stronghold
While Tesla has faced slowing sales across several European markets in 2025, Norway continues to stand out as an exception.
Nearly all new cars sold in Norway today are fully electric, thanks to decades of supportive policies, robust charging infrastructure, and domestic willingness to adopt zero-emission transportation. In some months this year, EVs represented over 97% of all new car registrations.
Tesla’s long-standing presence in the country — dating back to the Model S launch in 2013 — has also built strong brand loyalty that appears resilient even as Tesla faces challenges in other regions.
Norway’s unique blend of high incomes, infrastructure investment, and aggressive electrification targets makes it a perfect testing ground for what a fully matured EV market looks like.
