Oslo, Jan 3 (AFP) Electric or hybrid vehicles accountedfor more than half of all new cars sold in Norway last year,official data showed today, confirming the country'spioneering role in carbon-free transport.
Zero-emission, mainly all-electric as well as a fewhydrogen-powered cars, accounted for 20.9 per cent of totalsales in 2017, while hybrid vehicles accounted for 31.3 percent, the OFV Advisory Council for Road Traffic calculated.
That represents an increase over the previous year, whenzero-emission and hybrid cars accounted for 15.7 per cent and24.5 per cent respectively of total sales.
Norway, the biggest producer of oil in western Europe,has set itself the ambitious goal of no longer selling newcars with a combustion engine by 2025.
Unlike heavily taxed diesel or gasoline cars, electriccars benefit from a very generous tax system making theirpurchase prices relatively competitive.
Their owners also enjoy many privileges such as free citytolls, ferries, parking and recharging in public car parks aswell as having the right to drive in bus lanes.
Authorities plan to gradually reduce some measures whosebenefits and costs are disputed by critics.
Last year, the right-wing government tried to remove oneof the tax exemptions on large and luxurious electric sedansin what was dubbed the "Tesla tax", but was later forced topull back due to opposition from its centre-right allies.
(AFP)SMJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.