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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 became the first company to pass the United States government’s new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) testing with the Model Y, completing each of the new tests with a passing performance.
In a landmark announcement on May 7, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) declared the 2026 Tesla Model Y the first vehicle to pass its newly ADAS benchmark under the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Model Y vehicles manufactured on or after November 12, 2025, met rigorous pass/fail criteria for four newly added tests—pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, and blind spot intervention—while also satisfying the program’s original four ADAS requirements: forward collision warning, crash imminent braking, dynamic brake support, and lane departure warning.
The NHTSA has just officially announced that the 2026 @Tesla Model Y is the first vehicle model to pass the agency’s new advanced driver assistance system tests.
2026 Tesla Model Y vehicles, manufactured on or after Nov. 12, 2025, successfully met the new criteria for four… pic.twitter.com/as8x1OsSL5
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) May 7, 2026
NHTSA administration Jonathan Morrison hailed the achievement as a milestone:
“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in our efforts to provide consumers with the most comprehensive safety ratings ever. By successfully passing these new tests, the 2026 Tesla Model Y demonstrates the lifesaving potential of driver assistance technologies and sets a high bar for the industry. We hope to see many more manufacturers develop vehicles that can meet these requirements.”
The updates to NCAP, finalized in late 2024 and effective for 2026 models, reflect growing recognition that ADAS features are no longer optional luxuries but essential tools for preventing crashes.
Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, for instance, targets one of the fastest-rising causes of roadway fatalities, while blind spot intervention and lane keeping assistance address common sources of side-swipes and run-off-road incidents. By incorporating objective, performance-based evaluations rather than mere presence of the technology, NHTSA aims to give buyers clearer data on real-world effectiveness.
This milestone arrives at a pivotal moment when vehicle autonomy is transitioning from science fiction to everyday reality.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and the impending rollout of robotaxis underscore a broader industry shift toward higher levels of automation. Yet regulators and consumers remain cautious: safety data must keep pace with technological ambition.
The Model Y’s perfect score on these ADAS benchmarks validates that current driver-assist systems—when engineered rigorously—can dramatically reduce human error, which still accounts for the vast majority of crashes.
For Tesla, the result reinforces its long-standing claim of building the safest vehicles on the road. More importantly, it signals to the entire auto sector that meeting elevated federal standards is achievable and expected.
As autonomy edges closer to Level 3 and beyond, where drivers may disengage more fully, such independent verification becomes critical. It builds public trust, informs purchasing decisions, and accelerates the development of systems that could one day eliminate tens of thousands of annual traffic deaths.
In an era when software-defined vehicles promise transformative mobility, the 2026 Model Y’s NHTSA triumph is more than a manufacturer accolade—it is a regulatory green light that autonomy’s future must be built on proven, testable safety foundations. The bar has been raised. The industry, and the roads we share, will be safer for it.
Tesla is going to fix the nearly 219,000 vehicles that it recalled due to an issue with the rearview camera with a simple software update, giving owners no need to travel to a service center to resolve the problem.
Tesla is formally recalling 218,868 U.S. vehicles after regulators discovered a software glitch that can delay the rearview camera image by up to 11 seconds when drivers shift into reverse.
The affected models include certain 2024-2025 Model 3 and Model Y, as well as 2023-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles running software version 2026.8.6 and equipped with Hardware 3 computers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined the lag violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 on rear visibility and could increase crash risk.
Yet this is no ordinary recall. Owners do not need to schedule a service-center visit, hand over keys, or wait for parts.
Tesla fans call for recall terminology update, but the NHTSA isn’t convinced it’s needed
Tesla identified the issue on April 10, halted further deployment of the faulty firmware the same day, and began pushing a corrective over-the-air (OTA) software update on April 11.
By the time the NHTSA posted the recall notice on May 6, more than 99.92 percent of the affected fleet had already received the fix. Tesla reports no crashes, injuries, or fatalities linked to the glitch.
The episode underscores a deeper problem with regulatory language. For decades, “recall” meant hauling a vehicle to a dealership for hardware repairs or replacements. That definition no longer fits software-defined cars. When a fix arrives wirelessly in minutes — identical to an iPhone update — the term evokes unnecessary alarm and misleads the public about the actual risk and remedy.
Elon Musk has repeatedly called for exactly this change. After earlier NHTSA actions, he stated plainly: “The terminology is outdated & inaccurate. This is a tiny over-the-air software update.” On another occasion, he added that labeling OTA fixes as recalls is “anachronistic and just flat wrong.”
The terminology is outdated & inaccurate. This is a tiny over-the-air software update. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no injuries.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 22, 2022
Musk’s point is simple: regulators must evolve their vocabulary to match the technology. Traditional recalls involve physical intervention and downtime; OTA updates do not. Retaining the old label distorts consumer perception, inflates perceived defect rates, and slows the industry’s shift to faster, safer software iteration.
Tesla’s rapid, remote remedy demonstrates the safety advantage of over-the-air capability. Problems that once required weeks of dealer appointments are now resolved in hours, often before most owners notice. As more automakers adopt software-first designs, the entire regulatory framework needs to catch up.
Updating “recall” terminology would align language with reality, reduce public confusion, and recognize that modern vehicles are no longer static hardware — they are continuously improving computers on wheels.
For the 219,000 Tesla owners involved, the process is already complete. The camera works, the car is safe, and no one left their driveway. That is the new standard — and the vocabulary should reflect it.
News
Tesla is seeing record sales rebounds in key markets globally
Tesla reported robust sales momentum in April 2026, extending a multi-month recovery in its two largest markets amid intensifying global EV competition.
Tesla is seeing record sales rebounds in key markets across the world, and as skeptics and bears of the company that builds electric powertrains rejoice on the weak registration figures that have been reported in the past, the Musk-fronted company is keen on making a comeback.
Tesla reported robust sales momentum in April 2026, extending a multi-month recovery in its two largest markets amid intensifying global EV competition.
While the company does not release official monthly global delivery figures—reserving those for quarterly reports—data from local registration and wholesale sources show significant year-over-year gains in China and several European countries, building on a turnaround from 2025’s declines.
In China, Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory shipped 79,478 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in April, a 36% increase from the same month last year. The figure marks the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth for China-made EVs, which include both domestic sales and exports to Europe and other regions.
Although down slightly from March’s 85,670 units, the April performance underscores Tesla’s resilience against domestic rivals like BYD. Wholesale volumes from the plant have helped Tesla regain ground after softer retail figures earlier in the year, with analysts noting improved demand fueled by competitive pricing and new configurations
Europe also delivered encouraging results. Registrations—a close proxy for sales—surged in multiple countries. France posted a 112 percent jump, Sweden 111%, Denmark 102%, and Ireland 100%. The Netherlands rose 23%, while Belgium and Romania recorded gains of 47% and 53%, respectively.
These double- and triple-digit increases reflect a broader EV market recovery across the continent, where battery-electric vehicle market share climbed to 20.5% in Q1 2026 from 13.2% a year earlier. Chinese brands continue to challenge Tesla’s position in some markets, but the U.S. automaker’s rebound has been widespread in Northern and Western Europe.
Germany, Europe’s largest auto market, contributed to the positive momentum. Although full April registration data had not yet been released as of early May, March’s figures were record-setting: 9,252 Tesla vehicles registered, a staggering 315% increase year-over-year and the company’s strongest March performance in years.
Germany reported 3,149 Tesla sales and 1.3% market share in April. BEV penetration is 25.8% and Tesla has 4.9% of this segment. 🇩🇪
• +256% vs. April last year and +142% compared to January the first month of the previous quarter
• Best April ever
• Highest first month of the… pic.twitter.com/n4MIJv4w6t— Roland Pircher (@piloly) May 7, 2026
That month alone accounted for 72% of Tesla’s Q1 total in Germany (12,829 units, up 160%). Industry observers expect April to follow suit, supported by new EV subsidies and rising fuel prices.
The April figures come after Tesla’s Q1 2026 global deliveries of 358,023 vehicles, which showed modest growth but trailed some analyst expectations. The European and Chinese rebounds suggest accelerating demand heading into Q2, driven by refreshed lineups, competitive pricing, and expanding charging infrastructure.
However, Tesla faces ongoing pressure from lower-cost Chinese competitors and softening demand in select markets like Norway and Portugal, where April registrations fell sharply.
Overall, April’s data paints an optimistic picture for Tesla. The company’s ability to post consistent growth in China while reclaiming share in Europe signals renewed strength after 2025’s challenges.
Investors and analysts will watch closely for May and June numbers as Tesla prepares its Q2 report, which could confirm whether this rebound translates into sustained record-setting momentum. With approximately 450 words, this snapshot highlights how targeted execution is paying dividends in Tesla’s most critical regions
Tesla crushes NHTSA’s brand-new ADAS safety tests – first vehicle to ever pass
Tesla to fix 219k vehicles in recall with simple software update
