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Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

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Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The oil age is ending in Norway. With "oil age" you mean the use of oil, or its production?

Production. The North Sea reached "peak oil" some time ago. Although there have been recent increases in production, the total output is much lower than it was around 2000. http://www.crystolenergy.com/assessing-future-north-sea-oil-...

The oil age in Norway is far, far from over. In fact, I suspect Norway will still be producing oil into the year 2100 as long as there is a market for it world-wide. Cars aren't the only things on Earth that needs oil.

In terms of future expansion, one has to consider the unexploited oil reserves that Norway still has hidden in its sleeves. Take Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja which hold about 1.3 billion barrels of oil. As a comparison, the UK's entire oil reserves is 21 billion barrels.

For now, the government has decided not to start exploiting this area. However, a lot can happen in 10-20 years time. There may also be other undiscovered oil reserves along the coast line.

Add to this, Norway claims 2.7 million sqm of Antarctica, about 20% of the entire continent. Let's hope the world never comes to the point where nations will argue over this continent because it would not end well. You can be sure there's a lot of oil hiding there, though. 203 billion barrels worth according to some wild speculations (I would not trust that number at all, but it is plausible that the number is high).

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#52

I was feeling all good for Norway, till I read this: > It helps that Norway is also the biggest oil producer in Western Europe and the world's third largest exporter of natural gas. Hmmm.... You know what would really help the environment, Norway? If you stopped drilling all that oil and gas. Your measly consumption of gas isn't the problem; your mega export of oil is.

Oil is needed for a lot of things other than burning it for energy.

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#53

I was feeling all good for Norway, till I read this: > It helps that Norway is also the biggest oil producer in Western Europe and the world's third largest exporter of natural gas. Hmmm.... You know what would really help the environment, Norway? If you stopped drilling all that oil and gas. Your measly consumption of gas isn't the problem; your mega export of oil is.

Oil is needed for a lot of things other than burning it for energy.

Oh, come on. Yeah, we do make plastics and all, but the main use is for burning.

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The following incentives from the article seem key. - No purchase taxes - Exemption from 25% VAT on purchase - Low annual road tax - No charges on toll roads or ferries - Free municipal parking - Access to bus lanes - 50% reduction in company car tax - No VAT on leasing

Yet another story on how exemplary Norway is. Yet the reason Norway is able to provide these incentives is because they made a fortune selling oil. I'm conflicted on these Norway stories because while I applaud all of these efforts, the reality is that they are largely possible only because of oil money.

Not to mention, the Norwegians did a great job of investing the oil money wisely.

Most other oil -rich countries are plagued by corruption and/or short-term thinking. Norway, from day one, planned for the day when there would be no more oil money.

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#55
post #19

One very small part of the arctic circle. That title is appropriate once electric cars are popular in the northern regions of canada and russia, who are by far the largest occupiers of the arctic. Some data: It looks like the leaf's range is basically halved in cold weather. That, and the greater distances between everything in the true north, says to me that they are a long way from adoption. http://www.greencarrepo…

> One very small part of the arctic circle. I'm not sure where you get that from. I suppose you mean that there are areas in Canada that are as cold, and have a larger population - but not, as far as I know, as far north : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Circle#Human_habitation "The largest communities north of the Arctic Circle are situated in Russia and Norway: Murmansk (population 307,257), Norilsk (175,365),…

Yes, this is true. But I feel his statement stands. Like you say, Tromsø has really nice weather despite its northern location. Many Canadian and Russian cities reach ~-40C often enough. If the batteries have half the range in Tromsø, how are they in those cities?

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#56

One very small part of the arctic circle. That title is appropriate once electric cars are popular in the northern regions of canada and russia, who are by far the largest occupiers of the arctic. Some data: It looks like the leaf's range is basically halved in cold weather. That, and the greater distances between everything in the true north, says to me that they are a long way from adoption. http://www.greencarrepo…

Electrical cars will never be popular in Russia, at least in the most parts. You have to drive at -40 temperature; you have to drive 500-1000km in one day; and not only drive, but keep warm temperature inside for passengers (not every day, but your car must be able to do that sometimes). You don't have enough money to buy many cars for different tasks, gasoline is extremely cheap (compared to Europe) and not much peo…

And then it is back to horse and cart?

Within a few decades, oil will no longer be available.

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#58
post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Electrical cars will never be popular in Russia, at least in the most parts. You have to drive at -40 temperature; you have to drive 500-1000km in one day; and not only drive, but keep warm temperature inside for passengers (not every day, but your car must be able to do that sometimes). You don't have enough money to buy many cars for different tasks, gasoline is extremely cheap (compared to Europe) and not much peo…

And then it is back to horse and cart? Within a few decades, oil will no longer be available.

But Methane Hydrate will be plentiful for centuries!

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#59
post #25

The oil age is ending in Norway. It's considered a fact of life. You all have heard of the petroleum fund. That money is going towards pensions. Of course it's easier to buy an electric car if you're used to thinkinf of the oil age that something that ends within your own working life.

> The oil age is ending in Norway. With "oil age" you mean the use of oil, or its production?

Largescale production.

Sheik Yamani, who was petroleum minister in Saudi Arabia and IMO very clueful, once said that at some point, the oil production will slow to a trickle and prices rise to $1k/barrel. There'll still be mineral oil in various fields, he predicted, but at some point the ones that can be exploited cheaply will have been emptied.

Re: Why do they love electric cars in Norway?

#60

Live here. My brother-in-law just bought the Leaf. From the people I talk to it is always the same reasons: * price (leaf, vw etc) and/or * love Tesla: compared to any other new 400+ hp luxury car the Tesla is a steal for the moment both because of buying price (around 600' NOK for the entry level Model S is cheap compared to any other new sports car around here.) and/or * being allowed to drive in the bus lane On to…

The following incentives from the article seem key. - No purchase taxes - Exemption from 25% VAT on purchase - Low annual road tax - No charges on toll roads or ferries - Free municipal parking - Access to bus lanes - 50% reduction in company car tax - No VAT on leasing

If there was a car that ran on tears of children and had 9 tax breaks you know they'd go for that one.
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