Tesla has reclaimed the leading position in Norway's automotive market in February 2026, following a sharp decline in January. Electric vehicles captured 98% of new car registrations amid a market rebound. The recovery comes after value-added tax adjustments prompted buyers to advance purchases into late 2025.
In February 2026, Tesla returned to the top of Norway's new car sales rankings, registering 1,210 vehicles for a 16.6% market share, according to data from the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council (OFV). This marked a recovery after January's registrations hit their lowest level in three years, influenced by changes to value-added tax (VAT) rules that led many consumers to buy earlier.
Total new car registrations in Norway reached 7,272 units in February, up significantly from January's slump, which saw sales drop nearly 75% year-over-year. Electric vehicles dominated, accounting for 7,127 registrations and a 98.01% market share, while fossil-fuel and hybrid vehicles made up just 2%. The Tesla Model Y led individual models with 1,073 registrations, securing 14.8% of the market and reclaiming its position after falling to seventh in January.
OFV Director Geir Inge Stokke commented on the trend, stating, “We are now seeing signs that the market is returning to a more normal level of activity, which we also experienced after the VAT change in 2022. At that time, changes in demand led to a weak start to 2023. We have seen the same pattern this year.” Toyota followed Tesla as the second-best-selling brand with 941 registrations, ahead of Volkswagen, Volvo, and Skoda.
The data indicates the January dip was likely due to timing effects from VAT adjustments rather than a broader decline in demand. Separate reports noted Tesla registrations rose 32% year-over-year in Norway, contrasting with a 55% increase in France but an 18% decline in Denmark.
