Sales of Chinese electric vehicles in Norway have climbed significantly, even as a growing number of Norwegian drivers express hesitation regarding the origins of their cars. According to a survey conducted by the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association between 31 March and 3 May, 31% of EV owners stated they would avoid purchasing a Chinese brand for political reasons, a notable increase from the 23% reported the previous year.
Christina Bu, the association’s secretary general, noted that modern vehicles function effectively as computers on wheels. She explained that as consumers pay more attention to data privacy and security, it is natural for them to become concerned about where their cars originate and how their personal information is managed. In past instances, security researchers in Norway discovered a vehicle from the Chinese manufacturer NIO transmitting data back to China, while separate tests on a bus from the Chinese manufacturer Yutong indicated the maker could theoretically access control systems to disable the vehicle remotely.
Despite these apprehensions, brands such as BYD, NIO, and Dongfeng, alongside Chinese-owned entities like Volvo and Polestar, have seen their market share expand, accounting for approximately 25% of new EV registrations in the first half of the year. This represents a stark contrast to 2019, when such brands were virtually non-existent in the Norwegian market. Bu suggested that buyers are balancing conflicting priorities, noting that for some, price and technology remain the decisive factors, while others struggle with moral dilemmas and uncertainty regarding security.
The current report suggests that if these trends hold, Chinese manufacturers could overtake European brands as soon as 2027, potentially establishing a dominant position in the Norwegian market. This growth is particularly significant given that Norway leads the world in EV adoption; data from the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) shows that electric cars made up 97.8% of new registrations in the first eight months of 2026. By comparison, electric vehicles accounted for 21.7% of new registrations in the EU during the same period, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
The survey also touched on the influence of political controversy, noting that while Elon Musk’s political involvement triggered strong reactions last year, decreased attention this year may have resulted in fewer consumers explicitly rejecting Tesla. Meanwhile, across the EU, brands like Leapmotor, Chery, BYD, and Geely Group have seen rapid growth in registrations.
According to a new survey by the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, conducted from 31 March to 3 May among nearly 15,000 EV owners in Norway, nearly one-third (31%) of Norwegian electric car drivers said they would avoid buying a Chinese brand for political reasons, compared with 23% a year earlier.
In the EU, among the fastest-growing manufacturers were Leapmotor (up 211%), Chery (201%), BYD (129%) and Geely Group (24%). Registrations of cars made by US carmaker Tesla grew by 53%.
