The city’s targets set out a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with the ultimate goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050. To kick start the adoption of EVs, Oslo’s first move was to install 400 free charging points with reserved parking for EVs across the city. This was done between 2008 and 2011, using dedicated funds set aside by the city. This not only makes driving an EV attractive and convenient, but also helps raise public awareness and increase understanding about EVs.

In 2013, the city went a step further. It decided that all municipal vehicles should be emissions free by 2015, and allocated €6.1 million in interest-free loans for agencies to use when replacing vehicles.

Together with the national government, Oslo has put in place a number of incentives that have helped increase the uptake of EVs in and around the city. These include:

• the possibility for EV drivers to use bus lanes (introduced in 2004)
• reserved parking for EVs, free public parking, and free public charging spots (2008)
• free use of toll roads (2009)
• removing VAT from sales, removing registration fees and reducing annual fees (2011)

A major mover in this development has been working with the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association. Oslo has met with a number of EV associations over the years to determine where EV drivers need charging points and to get their views on technological advances. Oslo involved environmental organisations in the process too, to get their input on how to make EVs fit into the wider transport plan. The city also arranged a ‘fossil free day’ with these organisations, including a public exhibition to showcase and allow public test driving of zero emissions vehicles.

The project was funded by the municipality with a total cost of around €3.7m to cover the installation of the charging points. It also set up the fund for interest-free loans, and established a subsidy for private companies, residential complexes and shopping centres wishing to install charging points for EVs. They can receive up to €1,200 per charging point, and so far 323 of these privately established points exist throughout Oslo.

As a result of these measures, the city has recorded an increase of over 2,000 EVs on the road between 2012 and 2013, nearly doubling the sales of EVs. In October 2013, an EV topped the sales list for the first time – the Nissan LEAF – followed by the Tesla Model S in December that year. This trend continued into 2014, with EVs making up 20% of all new cars sold in Oslo.

The total number of EVs in Oslo is now up to 7,236 and in the whole Oslo region, the total number is up to 15,253. There are currently over 500 EV charging points in the city, and Oslo hopes to increase this to 700 by the end of the year, and to 900 by March 2015.

Cities in action - The electric vehicle capital of the world, Making EVs the right choice - EUROCITIES, November 2014.