Has Norway banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars?
The 2025 goal, taxes on fossil cars and what new car sales look like.
Short answer
No, Norway has not banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, but it has a political goal that all new passenger cars should be zero-emission by 2025. The goal is reached mainly through heavy taxes on fossil cars and benefits for electric ones. From January to September 2026, 97.9 percent of new passenger cars were electric.
Why
- The Storting's goal states that in 2025 all new passenger cars and light vans should be zero-emission vehicles, and the government follows it up as a sales target in the National Transport Plan.
- Visit Norway explains that the strongest incentive is heavy taxation on buying petrol and diesel cars, along with subsidies and cheaper parking, tolls and ferry tickets for electric cars.
- OFV figures show that 112,825 of 115,196 new passenger cars registered from January to September 2026 were electric.
Details
Because this is a goal and not a ban, new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars can still be sold and registered, and other cars made up the remaining 2.1 percent. Some benefits for electric cars are being cut: the 2027 state budget proposes lowering the VAT-free amount for electric passenger cars from NOK 300,000 to NOK 150,000, and the government wants to end the exemption from 2028.
Tip
If you are buying a car in Norway, compare the full price including taxes, because petrol and diesel cars are heavily taxed at purchase.
Common misconception
Norway banned new petrol and diesel cars from 2025.
What actually happens
There is no ban. The 2025 target is a goal set by the Storting and reached through taxes and incentives, and new petrol and diesel cars can still be sold.
People also ask
- Is Norway banning petrol cars in 2025?
- Can you still buy a new petrol car in Norway?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Car taxes can change, so check Skatteetaten before you buy a car.
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