Majority of the population opposed to ending environmental tax breaks on fuel

A recent survey by Opinion shows that 54 percent of the population supports the Electric Vehicle Association’s call to maintain environmental discounts for electric cars.

29.10.2026 10:45 | Updated 11:11

Electric vehicles should pay at most 70 percent of the toll rate charged to gasoline cars at toll booths. This rule was last established in the National Transport Plan 2025–2036.

Nevertheless, the government proposes in the 2027 state budget to introduce equal toll rates for electric and fossil fuel vehicles in the urban development plan for Nord-Jæren. If this happens, the Electric Vehicle Association fears that more will follow suit.

– As electric vehicles face increasing taxes, it is unwise for the government to remove the environmental discount on fuel as well. This creates a double penalty that could delay the necessary transition away from fossil fuel vehicles, says Christina Bu, secretary general of the Electric Vehicle Association.

She urges the Storting to consider public support for maintaining the environmental discount, which shows that people believe it is worthwhile to choose environmentally friendly options.

Climate goals can be combined with zero growth

New figures from the State Road Administration show that traffic in Nord-Jæren has decreased since measurements began in 2017. Previously, it was assumed that traffic had increased, and this was used as an argument to eliminate the environmental discount for electric vehicles.

• We have enough examples showing that environmental tax cuts on fuel and zero-emission targets for urban traffic can be combined. There are a number of other traffic reduction measures that do not align with established climate goals. These should be introduced before implementing effective climate measures such as fuel tax cuts, says Bu.
• We are not on track with electric vehicle policies.

In the future, it will largely be private car owners who become the new electric vehicle users. They need to get used to new technologies and figure out charging issues, and fuel tax cuts will be an important incentive.

– I would like to remind everyone that 65 percent of cars on Norwegian roads still emit exhaust gases. Politicians have a responsibility to ensure that public resistance does not grow, and in that regard, fuel tax cuts are a significant contribution, Bu concludes.

Electric Vehicle Association in the Storting: We are working to preserve fuel tax cuts

Do as 120,000 other electric vehicle owners: Become a member of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association...

Here was how the question was phrased in the survey:

Today, electric vehicles pay a maximum of 70 percent of what gasoline and diesel cars, as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles, pay in tolls. Do you think electric vehicles should keep this environmental discount?

Yes

54 %

No

38 %

Don’t know

9 %

The survey was conducted by Opinion in mid-October 2026. The sample is nationally representative of the population aged 18 and above, consisting of 1000 interviews.

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The post Many in the public oppose ending environmental subsidies for cars appeared first on Norsk elbilforening.