The Norwegian Path to Electrification of Vehicles

Representatives from the automotive industry's professional council at Iðan Education Centre recently went on a study and educational trip to Oslo. The goal was to learn how the Norwegians have achieved the unique success of becoming a leading nation in the electrification of transport. The trip was undertaken to gain knowledge about the impact of electric vehicle adoption on education, staff training, workshop operations, and vehicle services, as well as to see what lessons the Icelandic automotive industry can learn from the Norwegian experience.

During the trip, the group visited companies, schools, and interest groups that reflect the various aspects of the transformation that has taken place in Norwegian society in recent years.

A clear policy is the key to success

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Norwegian EV Association, where the history and development of electric vehicle adoption in Norway were reviewed. It became clear that this success is no coincidence but rather the result of decades of policy-making where the government, industry, and the public have worked towards a common goal.

The Norwegian Parliament set a goal that from 2025, all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles should be zero-emission. Today, this goal has effectively been reached. In 2025, about 96% of all newly registered passenger cars in Norway were electric, and in April 2026, the proportion reached nearly 99%. At the same time, there are now over one million electric cars on the road in the country, and about a third of all passenger cars on Norwegian roads are now electric.

Representatives from the EV Association emphasized that the key to this success has been predictability. Clear long-term goals, favorable taxation and incentives, systematic development of charging infrastructure, and a consistent government policy have created an environment that made it easy for both individuals and companies to participate in the energy transition. It is worth noting that the Norwegians did not start reducing incentives for electric cars until 2023, when new car registrations had surpassed 80%, something the Icelandic government could have taken as an example.

Charging infrastructure built in parallel with the increase in electric cars

In parallel with the increased sales of electric cars, the Norwegians have placed great emphasis on developing charging infrastructure. Fast-charging stations were systematically built along the country's main transport routes, and today there are over 10,000 fast-charging connections in use, covering the entire country.

Despite the great success achieved, it was clear that the project is far from over. The number of charging stations still needs to be increased, payment solutions improved, and it must be ensured that the infrastructure continues to develop in line with the growing number of electric cars. However, it is clear that the development of the infrastructure has played a major role in making electric cars a viable option for almost all citizens.

Education and training in step with a new reality

The group's first stop was Møller Bil and Møller Bilskolen. There, the group received a presentation from the Norwegian Automotive Industry Association (NBF) and representatives of Møller Bilskolen, and the professional council's representatives gained insight into how the Norwegian automotive industry has built a robust system for apprentices, professional development, and continuing education. It was mentioned, among other things, that students are under contract with companies for 2 years, which they considered a very important part of the learning process, and they even mentioned they would be willing to take them on earlier.

Møller Bilskolen serves dozens of car dealerships and workshops across the country and has developed systematic ways to follow up with apprentices, support professional development, and attract new people to the industry. Special emphasis is placed on connecting schools and the industry so that students get the best possible preparation for the jobs of the future.

In the presentations from both Møller Bilskolen and NBF, it was clear that the adoption of electric vehicles has completely changed the skill requirements within the industry. Today, workshops need to have knowledge of high-voltage systems, batteries, software, diagnostic systems, and digital solutions that were previously a small part of daily operations.

Manufacturers play an ever-increasing role in training

During a visit to KIA Norge, which is part of the Bertel O. Steen group, it became clear how much of an impact the transition to electric vehicles has had on staff training.

Like many other car dealerships in Norway, they now sell only electric cars. The company has therefore developed its own training system where technicians go through a structured competency process consisting of distance learning, practical training, and specialized certifications.

A special emphasis is placed on safety when working on high-voltage systems and batteries. It was also noted that the education system often struggles to keep up with the rapid technological development that has taken place, and that an ever-larger portion of specialized training is conducted within the companies themselves.

New challenges for workshops

Electric cars generally require less regular maintenance than vehicles with internal combustion engines. This means that the revenue model for workshops is changing, and companies need to find new ways to create value for customers.

In presentations by NBF, it was highlighted that workshops increasingly need to build expertise in diagnostics, software, electrical systems, and condition assessments of electric cars. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging in the field of repairs on high-voltage systems and batteries.

An interesting finding from Norwegian research also shows that older electric cars are not free from traditional wear and tear. On the contrary, mechanical components such as suspension systems, steering systems, and brakes continue to be a large part of the daily tasks at workshops.

Electrification of commercial vehicles and heavy transport is gaining momentum

Although the electrification of passenger cars has been in the spotlight in recent years, it is clear that the energy transition is also beginning to reach larger vehicles. In presentations by NBF and Volvo Trucks, it was revealed that the government has set ambitious goals for all new heavy transport vehicles to be either zero-emission or powered by biogas by 2030.

Volvo Trucks has been among the leading manufacturers in this field and began selling electric trucks in 2019. The company has now delivered or received orders for over 800 electric trucks in Norway since 2023 and holds over 58% of the market share in the category of electric trucks over 16 tonnes. In addition, electric Volvo trucks have driven more than 25 million kilometers on Norwegian roads.

The presentations revealed that the experience with electric trucks has generally been very positive. Operators mention, among other things, less noise, better energy efficiency, increased driving comfort, and high driver satisfaction. In some cases, contractors are also required to use electric vehicles and machinery for construction projects in central Oslo, which further pushes electrification in this sector. At the same time, the technology has made great strides in a short period, and electric trucks have now become a viable option for many types of transport.

However, representatives from NBF pointed out that infrastructure for charging larger vehicles still needs to be developed and that operating conditions must be created to support a further energy transition in the transport sector. As with the electrification of passenger cars, predictability and a clear government policy are key.

Specialization in electric car repairs

To learn more about this development, the trade council visited Elbilmek, a specialized workshop that only accepts electric and plug-in hybrid cars. There, they work on tasks such as reconditioning electric motors, repairing high-voltage batteries, and diagnosing electrical systems.

It was also made clear that traditional workshop tasks will not disappear with the arrival of electric cars. Suspension systems, steering systems, and other vehicle wear surfaces will continue to require regular service and maintenance.

During the group's visit, a battery from a Ford F-150 Lightning was being repaired, and the possibility of replacing just a single cell was being explored, which would significantly reduce the repair cost.

New solutions for servicing and repairing electric vehicles

The final stop was the technology company EV HUB, which specializes in the service, diagnostics, and repair of electric vehicles and high-voltage components. The company has built a service platform for workshops that combines diagnostic solutions, training, technical assistance, and access to refurbished high-voltage components for electric vehicles.

The presentation showed how EV HUB works with workshops throughout the Nordic countries to build skills and infrastructure for handling electric vehicle repairs. The company places a special emphasis on enabling traditional workshops to participate in the service and repair of electric vehicles through specialized training, certifications, technical support, and access to diagnostic equipment.

One of the things that drew particular attention was how EV HUB utilizes data analysis and condition monitoring to assess the health of high-voltage batteries and other key components of electric vehicles. The company has developed solutions that analyze battery condition and can predict potential failures before they become serious problems. Such information can be useful for both workshops and vehicle owners for maintenance, fault diagnosis, and the resale of used electric vehicles.

The circular economy is becoming increasingly important

Another characteristic of EV HUB's operations was the emphasis on reusing and rebuilding high-voltage components. The company works with workshops, dismantling companies, and recycling facilities to give batteries and other components a longer life instead of being discarded. The goal is to reduce waste, lower repair costs, and promote a more sustainable use of valuable raw materials.

Here you can see an example of how a PTC heater is tested

This approach is already becoming very important in Norway, where the number of older electric vehicles is increasing rapidly. EV HUB is involved in building a comprehensive value chain for the reuse and repair of batteries and has, among other things, participated in projects aimed at diagnosing, refurbishing, and reusing high-voltage batteries before they are recycled.

The main lesson from the visit to Norway was the importance of a clear strategy, robust continuing education, and close collaboration between the industry and the education system. When these factors come together, it is possible to achieve enormous changes in a relatively short time.

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