Norway government feels the pinch on electric cars

Norway is reviewing its subsidies for electric vehicles after generous government incentives made the country the biggest user of battery powered cars in the world — but at a cost to the State.

Norway registered its 50,000th electric car last Monday, almost three years earlier than expected thanks to government schemes that have cut taxes and provided a plethora of benefits, including an exemption from tolls and parking fees, free recharging stations and the use of bus lanes.

A fifth of all new cars sold in Norway have been electric so far this year and Norway, with just 5.1 million people, accounted for a third of all European battery powered car sales last year.