Norway January 2022: BEV hits record 83.7% share, 19 in Top 20 are BEVs, Hongqi E-HS9 in Top 20

The Hongqi E-HS9 ranks #16 in Norway in January.

The Norwegian new car market drops a harsh -22.8% year-on-year in January to 7,957 units. Even without Tesla whose sales light up at the end of every quarter, the share of BEVs in market surges from 53% a year ago to a record 83.7% this month thanks to sales up 21.9% to 6,660. Add in 539 PHEV (-81.2%) and 371 HEV (-55.6%) and the share of electrified vehicles reaches 95.1% which is believed to be a new record also. Petrol sales hold a tiny 2.2% share vs. 4.8% a year ago and diesel is at 2.7% vs. 6.2%. In fact there were more Porsche Taycan registered in January than petrol vehicles..

Audi (+17.1%) leads the brands ranking with a stellar 12% share vs. 5.9% over the Full Year 2021, it is followed by Hyundai (+159.8%) up seven spots on December to #2. Volkswagen (+22.7%) is third ahead of Kia (+48.1%) while Toyota (-56.3%) takes a hit at #5. Ford (+131.5%) and Skoda (+54.4%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10 whereas Volvo (-68.3%), BMW (-46.5%) and Mercedes (-33.2%) all implode. #1 over the Full Year 2021, Tesla (-56.5%) is down to #26 as low sales in start of quarters are the tradition with this carmaker. Xpeng (+566.7%), Porsche (+146.7%), Suzuki (+57.1%) and Honda (+42.9%) also impress further down. Chinese newcomer Hongqi is up 17 spots to #15 and 2.2% share as we’ll see below.

Over in the models ranking, the seven best-selling models are recent BEV launches and didn’t exist a year ago and a record 19 of the Top 20 models are electric (see Top 20 electric cars below the jump). Only the Toyota RAV4 (-66.6%) isn’t a BEV in the Top 20. The Audi Q4 e-Tron is in pole position with 8.1% share, followed by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at 6% and the BMW IX at 5.6%. The Skoda Enyaq, VW ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6 are in tow. A majority of these nameplates are hitting a world-best ranking here in Norway this month. But one of the most striking event of the month is the entrance of the Chinese premium SUV Hongqi E-HS9 inside the Norwegian Top 20 at #16 vs. #108 in December. It follows the BYD Tang which peaked at #8 last October and ranks #23 this month. Notice the Volvo C40 also breaking into the Top 20 at #17. 

Previous post: Norway Full Year 2021: Tesla #1 brand, electrified share up to 91.7% in record market (+24.7%)

One year ago: Norway January 2021: Toyota RAV4 secures first ever win, electrified vehicles at 88.8% share, market up 7.7%

Full January 2022 Top 42 All-brands, Top 165 All-models and Top 20 EVs below.