Key Takeaways
- As Tesla’s sales tank across Europe, the company’s new Model Y has emerged as a leader in Norway.
- Norway’s dominance in electric vehicles has shown that smart incentives have been more effective than outright bans.
- Tesla’s stock has dropped over 50% from December 2024.
The newly released Tesla Model Y has emerged as the best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Norway for March, offering a modest rebound for the automaker amid steeply declining sales across Europe.
Norway, known for its rapid EV adoption, presents a rare bright spot for Elon Musk’s company as it grapples with growing boycotts and global backlash.
Tesla’s Crucial Win in Norway
Tesla’s recently upgraded Model Y—now featuring improvements such as ventilated seats and enhanced aerodynamics—led EV sales in Norway for March and the first quarter of 2025.
Tesla sold 2,792 units during Q1, outperforming its closest competitor, the Toyota bZ4X, which recorded 2,122 units sold.
Despite this win, Tesla’s share of the Norwegian car market has declined by around 10% year-to-date, dropping from a market-leading 18.9% in 2024 and 20% in 2023, according to Reuters.
The company’s decline extends across Europe, with French registrations dropping 45% in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from the French automotive organization PFA cited by Reuters.
Norway’s EV Leadership
The Norwegian Parliament recently reaffirmed its goal that all new cars sold from 2025 onwards must be zero-emission.
By the end of 2024, EVs accounted for 88% of new passenger car sales in Norway and 28% of all passenger vehicles on the road.
In comparison, new EV registrations comprised only 8% in the U.S. and 20% in the U.K.
Norway’s success has come not through bans but by steering consumer behavior with strategic incentives.
The government imposes higher taxes on traditional vehicles while waiving import duties on low-emission cars. Zero-emission vehicles also benefit from discounted road tolls and free parking nationwide.
Tesla’s Challenging Year
This year has proven difficult for Tesla, with a steep drop in stock price and sales, partly linked to CEO Elon Musk’s role in the U.S. government.
2025 has seen a number of violent attacks against Tesla dealerships and charging stations across the U.S.
In March, a woman was arrested in Colorado for attacking a Tesla dealership with an incendiary device.
Tesla stock has dropped over 50% from its mid-December 2024 peak—marking a steeper fall than even its worst-performing month on record, December 2022, when shares plunged nearly 37%.
Despite mounting setbacks across much of Europe, Tesla’s recent sales performance in Norway may offer a momentary lifeline for the company as it navigates mounting challenges.
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
