The reason I usually mention the PIVCO/Think story to journalists when they ask about Norway's EVs is to counter the prevailing idea outside of Norway that it is ONLY because of Norway's oil money that we have so many EVs here. It started at a time when Norway was oil-poor and hydro-rich.
Norwegians have long had a fascination with the idea of EVs, of having their own EV company, of using their clean hydropower. It was futuristic at the same time as appealing to the idea that a backyard innovator was a kind of hero, that little Norway might have an impact on the world.
Norway started early on the EV transition because of this history. But yes - of course - money has helped enormously in keeping up the momentum. See other examples around the world where governments have got cold feet and withdrawn subsidies. They don't have the deep pockets Norway does.
Good point! Another important part I often emphasize is that Norway also had very high sales taxes on cars generally, meaning that tax exemption for EVs made a big difference. The same subsidy levels would probably not have been politically acceptable as direct payments.
Yes, I also mention that. Both the size and that making tax exemptions is always politically easier than subsidies and much, much easier than adding taxes.
I also talk about how Nordic countries managed to introduce these various taxes a while back, setting them up for this situation where they could then remove them selectively. I tend to say also that they introduced (and increased) taxes at a time when politics wasn't so polarised as it is now.
Very interesting! Finland was also pretty early, on a similar timeline with the Elcat vehicles that were released commercially in 1990. I still remember seeing them in use by the postal company.
Ooh, I didn't know about Elcat, thanks for the tip!
I see they made about 200 of their Cityvan. I believe Think made about 2000 cars, and in the last two (slow) years they were actually made in Finland!
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elcat_Electric_Vehicles
I see they made about 200 of their Cityvan. I believe Think made about 2000 cars, and in the last two (slow) years they were actually made in Finland!