The adoption of electric vehicles in Norway has been driven not only by environmental awareness but also by government policies that have equalized the costs of EVs with internal combustion cars. Norway obtains 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, mainly hydropower, which has facilitated the transition to electric mobility.
In contrast, there is concern in Mexico about whether the country's electrical grid could support the additional load that increased adoption of electric vehicles would entail. However, data from Norway indicates that even using only 5% of electricity for EVs, the impact on electricity consumption is less than expected.
Norway has improved its charging infrastructure by establishing fast charging stations every 50 km in 2015. Currently, the country has around 9,500 fast chargers, mostly funded by private companies. This has significantly contributed to the mass adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
Government policies in Norway since the 1990s have been fundamental in driving the transition to electric mobility. Tax incentives, subsidies for purchasing electric cars, and taxes on internal combustion vehicles have equalized prices, encouraging the population to opt for electric vehicles.
To accelerate electrification in Mexico, measures such as minimum quotas for manufacturers, taxes on combustion cars, direct subsidies for EVs, or other regulations that promote emission reduction can be implemented. Additionally, it is crucial for the country to focus on addressing practical questions such as the availability of a reliable charging network to boost the adoption of electric vehicles.
Mexico should consider promoting local EV production for export, following Norway's model, which succeeded in dominating its local electric car market. The Norwegian experience shows that the transition to electric mobility requires not only environmental awareness but also economic incentives and appropriate government policies. Mexico needs to strategically position itself in this transformation to advance towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility.
