## When the Tesla Model S came out for sale, little Norway became the second biggest market - after the U.S. Not relative to the population, but total. How was this possible for a country with 5 million people? In 2014 and 2015 over 8000 Teslas were sold in Norway. ##

  

![Tesla_Model_S_in_Trondheim.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmX9y5iDfNGvvbxR6rtjexpPUE4MfP9WScAedszcwfLUd6/Tesla_Model_S_in_Trondheim.JPG)


I remember when my dad ordered the the P85D Model S in 2013.  I couldn't believe it . A cool looking electric luxury car that supposedly was as fast as a proper Grand Touring car. First time hitting the accelerator I couldn't believe the push it gave. Cruising down the highway as one of the first Model S in Norway , people were filming the car, sports cars wanted to race and every time I parked it people would come up and ask what it was. When I told them it was an electric car their jaws dropped. Up until then electric cars were slow ugly cars looking like they were designed by Picasso. 

4 years later and almost 15,000 Teslas later, they are such a common view,  you don't even look twice. Actually, you look away. Because by looking at one, you can't avoid thinking about the fact that you have sponsored this sweet car for the upper middle class of politically correct "look at me, I´m saving the planet, and I did not buy this car because it's subsidized and it goes 0-60 in 4 seconds no no no, it's for the climate" people. 

Yes, you heard correctly. It's subsidized. Like all electric cars in Norway. Not only is it subsidized, you don't have to pay a toll fee  driving the highway, you don't even have to drive in rush hour - because you can use the taxi/bus lane. 

As more commercial brands are making hybrids and electrical cars that doesn't look like the Mars Rover, Tesla is losing a little bit of the market i Norway. In 2016, 16% of all new cars sold were electric, and in 2017 it's projected over 20%. Another reason number of Teslas sold in Norway is dropping is because of the rising dollar prices. 

In the U.S a fully specced Model S P100D is about 140,000$ which is a pretty expensive car. A fully specced Model S P100D in Norway is "only" 100,000$ Also keep in mind that cars in general are expensive here. Normal estate cars like a Volkswagen Passat or Volvo V70 are 60-70,000$. And if you want any car with some speed-capabilities you have to pay. Cars like the BMW M5 or Audi RS6 are out of reach for normal people. Because of engine volume fees and horsepower fees these cars are easily 150-200,000$ new. Even higher range models like the BMW 525 are immensly expensive due to fees. That's why most norwegian cars, even larger ones have small engines.