More Norwegian electric vehicle drivers skeptical about Chinese cars
A recent survey shows that Chinese car brands are still gaining larger market shares in Norway. Meanwhile, political opposition to Tesla is declining.
25.09.2026 07:42 | Updated 24.09.2026 16:51
31 percent of Norwegian electric vehicle owners surveyed now say they are skeptical about cars from China for political reasons.
The corresponding figure last year was 23 percent.
The numbers come from this year’s edition of “Elbilisten,” the Electric Vehicle Association’s annual survey among electric vehicle owners.
“New cars are essentially running computers. As data security and privacy receive more attention, it’s natural that more consumers are concerned about where the cars come from and how their data is handled,” says Christina Bu.
She is the secretary general of the Electric Vehicle Association and is clear about who is responsible for ensuring safety on Norwegian roads:
– I understand consumers who are unsure about this. At the same time, it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that vehicles sold in Norway meet safety and data protection requirements, she says.
Sales Rise Despite Skepticism
As skepticism grows, Chinese brands have grown from a market share of nearly zero in 2019 to 25 percent in the first half of 2026.
You can read more about this rapid development in this article:
– In just a few years, China has gone from being a curiosity in the Norwegian car market to becoming the second-largest supplier of new electric cars to Norway, says Christina Bu.
She is not surprised that skepticism and market share are both increasing at the same time.
– It indicates that consumers weigh various factors against each other when buying a car. For some, price and technology are decisive, while others are influenced by moral dilemmas and concerns about data sharing and security.
Tesla resistance is declining
Tesla, however, is the specific car brand most frequently mentioned by respondents in the survey.
24 percent say they would not buy a Tesla for political reasons. This is a significant drop from last year, when 43 percent were skeptical about Tesla.
– In the past, Elon Musk’s political involvement was very visible and naturally triggered strong reactions. This year, there has been less attention to this issue, which may have led to fewer respondents saying they would not choose Tesla, says Bu.
Are there any car brands you would not choose for political reasons?
Yes
No
2025
63 %
37 %
2026
53 %
47 %
Specify which car brands/countries:
Tesla
China
2025
43 %
23 %
2026
24 %
31 %
This is an open-text response where respondents are asked to specify. “Tesla” and “China” are the most frequently mentioned. It was possible to mention multiple at once.
The figures are taken from Elbilisten, the Norwegian Car Association’s annual survey of car owners in Norway. This year’s survey was conducted from March 31 to May 3. Nearly 15,000 respondents participated.
– Global politics still play a role in car choice
Last year, 63 percent of car owners said there were car brands they avoided for political reasons.
This year, 53 percent answered the same way. Despite a decline, more than half of car owners remain politically conscious when purchasing a car.
– The figures show that car owners consider more than just vehicle features. Country of origin, data privacy, and global politics still play an important role when Norwegians choose a car, concludes Bu.
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