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Why Norway Loves the Tesla Model S
In January, Elon Musk made some controversial and critical remarks about hydrogen fuel cell cars when addressing a group of journalists during a Q&A session in Detroit. Musk’s comments were pertinent to my reading audience, so I published them as a blog post.
I then noticed something peculiar. The post had received hundreds of views from a single country: Norway. In fact, most of the views during a two-day period originated from this icy nation of only 5.1 million inhabitants.
Norway’s Best-Selling Car
During much of 2014, Tesla’s Model S was Norway’s best-selling vehicle. Not best selling electric car, but best-selling vehicle overall.
Sales of the Model S have gone gangbusters since its introduction in Norway. In the year and a half since its debut, in the country that’s famous for hosting the 1994 winter Olympics and being home to the popular Netflix show Lilyhammer starring Sopranos veteran Steven Van Zandt, the Model S has been setting records—and pleasing thousands of customers.
As reported by New York’s Daily News in April 2014, the Model S outsold Ford’s entire line of cars and sold double the number of Volkswagen Golfs, normally the number one seller in the snowy, narrow country that borders Sweden and Finland.
During the same period, the expensive Model S outsold the Nissan LEAF by a margin of three to one. Three to one. This goes counter to basic marketing dynamics, where more expensive products typically sell in lower quantities. Depending on battery configuration and options, the Model S is two to four times more expensive than the LEAF.
Satisfying Demand
It seem that the introduction of the Model S helped satisfy a pent up demand for performance-oriented electric cars in the Scandinavian country. As reported in the AID Newsletter (Automotive Industry Data) in September 2013, Elon Musk’s poster child for all things auto electric sold 184 units in its debut month of August 2013. It sold 322 units in September—besting the number two Volkswagen Golf, which sold only 256 cars. Not bad for right out of the gate (and in a nation of fewer than six million residents).
EV News Report, in a November 2014 article, reported that Norway’s goal to put 50,000 electric cars on the road by 2017 should be reached sometime in 2015. In the world of government initiatives, exceeding goals is almost unheard of.
In December 2014, CNNMoney published an article entitled Norwegians Love Tesla More Than Americans that spotlighted the fact that Tesla has sold more than 6,000 Model S sedans in the ironically oil-rich country. This is nearly 10% of the 61,000 all-electric sporty sedans sold globally since its introduction in 2012.
But why?
Part of the reason is simple economics. Norway’s government has offered steep incentives on battery electric vehicles to motivate its citizens to purchase zero emission cars. “Teslas and other electric vehicles are spared the steep sales taxes that can easily double the cost of a car,” reported CNNMoney last December.
Norway’s automotive sales tax can “double the cost of a car.” Imagine that you heard that Tesla was having a 50% off sale on the Model S. Would you be interested?
Norwegians are given additional incentives to jump on the electric car bandwagon, including the ability to travel in bus lanes, free parking, and no toll road charges (prices for which range from $0.65 to $20). For those who drive frequently and rack up the miles, especially for a five-days-a-week work commute, these are significant financial benefits and conveniences.
In Their Own Words
To learn more, I asked Norwegian owners themselves why they purchased a Model S. Most cited good value, inexpensive or free fuel (from home electricity or Tesla-supplied charging stations), exceptional driving range, and good handling in winter weather.
The Model S (in both 60 kWh and standard 85 kWh battery configuration) features a 48/52 front-to-rear weight distribution, making it a well-behaved rear-wheel-drive vehicle in rain or snow—critical in a northern climate like Norway. The top-shelf P85D, of course, features all-wheel-drive, making it even more adept in foul weather. “The total cost of ownership of my Tesla matches my previous car, a Toyota Prius. No fuel cost (not even electricity), no service, cheap insurance. Tesla is cheap compared to other cars in the same class,” said Marius Gromit Nedregård, an engineer living in Oslo (the nation’s capital and largest city).
Ståle Andreassen, who works for his father’s gas station in Bodø (“Oh the irony,” he told me during our interview), in the northern region of the country, said he purchased, “Because the Model S is basically competing against a VW Passat (price wise) in Norway. In the U.S., it competes against an Audi RS7, [BMW] M6, etc. If the Model S cost just a little more than a VW Passat in the U.S., I think it would sell more, don’t you?”
In terms of the power of word-of-mouth and how unofficial test drives from friends and family are propagating news of the value of the Model S in Norway, Andreassen said, “My father is about to replace his Audi A7 fully loaded with a P85D soon, so there will be two Teslas outside of our Esso station. First in the world?”
The Norwegian love of the Model S is tersely summarized by Are Koppang, an administrative director in Moelv, a city in southern Norway. “I drive a dream car, and cannot see how I will ever switch back to an ICE [internal combustion engine] vehicle.”
Embracing Renewable Energy
Culturally, Norway embraces renewable energy. According to EV News Report, 98% of the nation’s energy is derived from domestically generated, renewable sources. This is somewhat ironic, considering that the country, on a per-capita basis, is the world’s second largest producer of oil and natural gas, directly behind the Middle East (according to the CIA’s World Factbook). According to The Economist, “petroleum accounts for 30% of the government’s revenues.”
The desire to own a zero emission car was echoed by many responses I received from Norwegians. Sune Jakobsson, a system architect in Hommelvik, Sor-Trondelag, said he purchased a Model S, “To…buy an [electric car] with [a] more than 400 kilometer range, and the car is good for the environment.”
When asked why he purchased his Model S, Petter Karal, an owner from Oslo, said, “The opportunity to drive with a clean conscience.”
Goodbye Expensive Gas
Of course, one can’t discount the fact that gasoline is very, very expensive in Norway. In fact, as of February 2, gasoline in the country was selling at nearly four times the price in the United States, or more than $7.50 per US gallon. That’s no small incentive for Norwegians to dump gas-guzzling piston pumpers and adopt battery electric cars.
Arne Inge Dyrdahl, owner of a taxi company in Trondheim, cited saving money by not having to purchase gasoline as one of the primary benefits he gains from Model S ownership (he drives about 60,000 kilometers, or more than 37,000 miles, a year). “For me, tolls and fuel, if I only charge at home, saves me about 75,000 kroner [$10,000 USD] a year. More if I use Tesla’s free Superchargers.” Dyrdahl is anticipating delivery of his second Model S, a P85D, in March and has two Model Xs reserved.
Free Superchargers
Another reason for consumers in the country to consider a Model S is the healthy—and growing—network of Tesla Supercharger stations. Norway’s network of the fast-charge depots is currently populated by 21 such stations, available free of charge to all Model S customers (except those who purchase the entry-level 60 kWh model sans the “Supercharger Enabled” option, which is priced at $2,000 in the States).
All other Model S owners, if they live near one of these charging stations, get to enjoy free power for the life of their vehicle. In a country where petrol sells for more than $7 per gallon, this is no insignificant benefit. Tesla is planning to open five additional Supercharger stations in the country in 2015.
More Popular Than In California
Norwegians are adopting electric vehicles (EVs) in a way that matches the enthusiasm found in California. In fact, according to The Foreigner in a January 2015 article, sales of EVs in Norway have reached 15%, exceeding the saturation in the Golden State by nearly 50% (California recently reported 10% of new car sales being electric). “Some 40,000 electric vehicles were traveling on Norway’s roads as of December 2014,” reported the site.
“Filling up” the Teslarati 48 race car at the Vacaville, CA Tesla Supercharger
When you add it up, it’s not surprising that Norwegians are embracing the Model S and purchasing the seductive sedan in record numbers. Even consumers who normally would find it difficult to justify the cost of a luxury car are doing the math and discovering that they can afford a Tesla.
Based on the savings from gasoline and no automotive tax, especially for those who pile on the miles, Norwegian consumers can enjoy a quiet, high-performance, luxury vehicle featuring state-of-the-art technology. Add in savings on maintenance (oil changes, transmission repairs, and exhaust work become a thing of the past), and no tolls or parking charges, and the mystery is solved: Norway loves the Model S because it saves them money and helps preserve their beautiful environment.
This is best summed up by Norwegian Model S owner Cato Standal, a manager with Emerson in Telemark, who said his purchase was a “Once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a vehicle with over 400 horsepower for the same price as a VW Passat,” adding, “Many of my friends who have tested the car [are] also thinking about buying [it].”
I’m surprised that I’m not seeing more Model S sedans show up in Lilyhammer. Apparently Tesla is more focused on engineering one of the world’s best battery electric cars than product placement. And Norwegians are applauding them all the way to the Supercharger station—after which they visit the bank to deposit what they saved on gas.
Curt Robbins
Tesla has finally announced the features for the 2025 Holiday Update, which includes a wide variety of new inclusions that are both functional and just for fun.
The new features are plentiful, but there were a handful of things we were expecting to see based on what we know. We don’t want to sound ungrateful, because there are a lot of great new things on the way with this update.
Here’s what was included:
Grok with Navigation Commands (Beta)
Grok will now have the ability to add and edit navigation destinations, which is a drastic improvement considering Tesla owners had to use their standard voice commands for this in the past.
The utilization of Grok will likely improve the navigation experience by offering some insight into your destination, including reviews and other points of interest nearby.
It will be enabled by using Grok’s “Assistant” personality.
Tesla Photobooth
“Turn your car into a photobooth! Take selfies from inside your Tesla & give yourself a makeover with fun filters, stickers, and emojis. Share with others right from the Tesla app.”
This feature will be available within the Toybox.
Dog Mode Live Activity
When using Dog Mode to keep your four-legged friend comfortable in the car, you’ll now be able to check in on them as it will share periodic snapshots of the cabin, along with live updates on temperature, battery, and climate conditions.
Dashcam Viewer Update
Dashcam clips are awesome, but they’re void of a lot of information, which could be useful in some instances, especially if there is an accident.
Now, there will be additional details included on each Dashcam clip, like speed, steering wheel angle, and Self-Driving state.
Santa Mode
New graphics, trees, and a lock chime are now available.
Light Show Update
A new Light Show, called Jingle Rush, will be available.
Custom Wraps and License Plates in Colorizer
Colorizer will now be known as “Paint Shop” in the Toybox. You will now be able to personalize your Tesla Avatar with window tints, custom wraps, and license plates. Preloaded designs will be available, but owners will be able to use their USB Flash Drives to create one that suits their style.
Navigation Improvements
Changing the order of your destinations will be easier through a new “Favorites” tab, and Home and Work can now be set by dropping a pin.
There will also be “Suggested Destinations,” which will be determined through recent trips and habits while parked.
Supercharger Site Map
Perhaps the most significant feature of the Holiday Update, Tesla is adding a 3D view of select Tesla Superchargers by tapping “View Site Map.”
When navigating to a location with this capability, the site layout, live occupancy, and nearby amenities will be available. Drivers will also be able to choose which stall to Supercharge.
This is only available at a handful of locations currently, but it will expand to more Superchargers as it becomes more robust.
Automatic Carpool Lane Routing
Navigation will include an option to utilize carpool lanes. Your route will automatically choose the carpool lane when eligible.
Phone Left Behind Chime
If the in-car occupant detection system does not see anyone in the car and there is a phone key, or if a phone is left inside the cabin, your Tesla will chime a few seconds after the doors close.
Charge Limit Per Location
You can now save a charge limit for the current location while parked and it will be applied automatically the next time you charge there.
ISS Docking Simulator
In a SpaceX collaboration, Tesla has added this game to its in-car Arcade:
“Become an astronaut and prove your skills by docking with the International Space Station. Control & guide the rocket in this 3D docking simulator game using a set of controls based on actual interfaces used by NASA astronauts.”
Additional Improvements
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Enable or disable wireless phone charging pads in Controls > Charging (S3XY) or Controls > Outlets & Mods (Cybertruck)
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Add Spotify tracks to your queue right from the search screen & scroll through large Spotify playlists, albums, podcasts, audiobooks & your library seamlessly, without paging
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Take the vibes up another level with rainbow colors during Rave Cave. Accent lights color will change along with the beats of your music. App Launcher > Toybox > Light Sync
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Lock Sound now includes Light Cycle from Tron Mode. Toybox > Boombox > Lock Sound
What’s Missing
There are a handful of features we expected to see with the Holiday Update, but were not included.
Banish Feature
Tesla has been teasing the Banish functionality for quite a few years, but evidently, it is not quite there yet.
Banish will allow owners to get out of their vehicle at the entrance of their destination, and the car will go find a spot and park itself. Some refer to it as “Reverse Summon.”
Apple CarPlay
With all of the rumors regarding Apple CarPlay and then the evidence that Tesla was working to bring CarPlay to vehicles, we really expected it to come with the Holiday Update.
We’re not upset it’s not here, though. Tesla’s in-car UI is significantly better, at least in our opinion.
Parking Spot Selection
One of the biggest gripes about the new Arrival Features with Full Self-Driving v14 is that choosing a set parking spot is not available. This is especially frustrating for Tesla owners who rent or live in townhouse neighborhoods or apartment complexes with assigned parking.
Tesla seems to be working on this based on the release notes for v14.2, where it said future capabilities would include Parking Spot Selection.
News
Man credits Grok AI with saving his life after ER missed near-ruptured appendix
The AI flagged some of the man’s symptoms and urged him to return to the ER immediately and demand a CT scan.
A 49-year-old man has stated that xAI’s Grok ended up saving his life when the large language model identified a near-ruptured appendix that his first ER visit dismissed as acid reflux.
After being sent home from the ER, the man asked Grok to analyze his symptoms. The AI flagged some of the man’s symptoms and urged him to return immediately and demand a CT scan. The scan confirmed that something far worse than acid reflux was indeed going on.
Grok spotted what a doctor missed
In a post on Reddit, u/Tykjen noted that for 24 hours straight, he had a constant “razor-blade-level” abdominal pain that forced him into a fetal position. He had no fever or visible signs. He went to the ER, where a doctor pressed his soft belly, prescribed acid blockers, and sent him home.
The acid blockers didn’t work, and the man’s pain remained intense. He then decided to open a year-long chat he had with Grok and listed every detail that he was experiencing. The AI responded quickly. “Grok immediately flagged perforated ulcer or atypical appendicitis, told me the exact red-flag pattern I was describing, and basically said “go back right now and ask for a CT,” the man wrote in his post.
He copied Grok’s reasoning, returned to the ER, and insisted on the scan. The CT scan ultimately showed an inflamed appendix on the verge of rupture. Six hours later, the appendix was out. The man said the pain has completely vanished, and he woke up laughing under anesthesia. He was discharged the next day.
How a late-night conversation with Grok got me to demand the CT scan that saved my life from a ruptured appendix (December 2025)
byu/Tykjen ingrok
AI doctors could very well be welcomed
In the replies to his Reddit post, u/Tykjen further explained that he specifically avoided telling doctors that Grok, an AI, suggested he get a CT scan. “I did not tell them on the second visit that Grok recommended the CT scan. I had to lie. I told them my sister who’s a nurse told me to ask for the scan,” the man wrote.
One commenter noted that the use of AI in medicine will likely be welcomed, stating that “If AI could take doctors’ jobs one day, I will be happy. Doctors just don’t care anymore. It’s all a paycheck.” The Redditor replied with, “Sadly yes. That is what it felt like after the first visit. And the following night could have been my last.”
Elon Musk has been very optimistic about the potential of robots like Tesla Optimus in the medical field. Provided that they are able to achieve human-level articulation in their hands, and Tesla is able to bring down their cost through mass manufacturing, the era of AI-powered medical care could very well be closer than expected.
News
Tesla expands Model 3 lineup in Europe with most affordable variant yet
The Model 3 Standard still delivers more than 300 miles of range, potentially making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Tesla has introduced a lower-priced Model 3 variant in Europe, expanding the lineup just two months after the vehicle’s U.S. debut. The Model 3 Standard still delivers more than 300 miles (480 km) of range, potentially making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Tesla’s pricing strategy
The Model 3 Standard arrives as Tesla contends with declining registrations in several countries across Europe, where sales have not fully offset shifting consumer preferences. Many buyers have turned to options such as Volkswagen’s ID.3 and BYD’s Atto 3, both of which have benefited from aggressive pricing.
By removing select premium finishes and features, Tesla positioned the new Model 3 Standard as an “ultra-low cost of ownership” option of its all-electric sedan. Pricing comes in at €37,970 in Germany, NOK 330,056 in Norway, and SEK 449,990 in Sweden, depending on market. This places the Model 3 Standard well below the “premium” Model 3 trim, which starts at €45,970 in Germany.
Deliveries for the Standard model are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, giving Tesla an entry-level foothold in a segment that’s increasingly defined by sub-€40,000 offerings.
Tesla’s affordable vehicle push
The low-cost Model 3 follows October’s launch of a similarly positioned Model Y variant, signaling a broader shift in Tesla’s product strategy. While CEO Elon Musk has moved the company toward AI-driven initiatives such as robotaxis and humanoid robots, lower-priced vehicles remain necessary to support the company’s revenue in the near term.
Reports have indicated that Tesla previously abandoned plans for an all-new $25,000 EV, with the company opting to create cheaper versions of existing platforms instead. Analysts have flagged possible cannibalization of higher-margin models, but the move aims to counter an influx of aggressively priced entrants from China and Europe, many of which sell below $30,000. With the new Model 3 Standard, Tesla is reinforcing its volume strategy in Europe’s increasingly competitive EV landscape.
Tesla 2025 Holiday Update: Here’s what it includes, and what it’s missing
Man credits Grok AI with saving his life after ER missed near-ruptured appendix
