Tesla Model 3 Sets New Delivery Record in Norway

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

It's only been a few weeks since Tesla started selling the Model 3 in Europe and the electric-only sedan has become a massive hit in the electric-crazy country of Norway. According to Teslastats.no, there have been a total of 3,593 Model 3 sedans that have been registered in Norway so far in the month of March, and there's still some time to go. 

Tesla Tops The Charts

With that incredible figure, Tesla's Model 3 has beaten the previous record holder, the Nissan Leaf, by 65 percent. The Nissan Leaf set the record last March, but Tesla's latest electric car has set the new standard. This is obviously good news for Tesla, as Norway is the American automaker's fourth largest market. It's also great news because the Model 3 is meant to be Tesla's most affordable foray into the wonderful world of electrics, so it's doing exactly what it's meant to. 

While this is excellent news for the Model 3 and great news for Tesla overall, it doesn't bode well for the automaker's other vehicles. Forbes claims that the Model 3's popularity is coming at the expensive of the Model S and the Model X – the automaker's more upstream offerings. 

"Despite Tesla Model 3 topping Western Europe's electric car market in its first month of European deliveries in February – accounting for 18 percent of the pure electric car market – the boost is also coming at the expense of its flagship Model S model expected to record a big fall in first quarter sales," said Matthias Schmidt, Berlin-based automotive industry analyst. 

Can The Model 3 Continue To Do Well?

While some will claim that they saw the Model 3's popularity coming, the EV does have some impressive specs, others were surprised to see the electric sedan do so well in its first month. Felipe Munoz, global automotive analyst at JATO Dynamics, was one of those people that were surprised. 

"The hotly anticipated car excelled during its first full month on the European market and because the best selling BEV (battery electric vehicle)," said Munoz. "The Model 3 quickly outsold other big players like the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe, despite being more expensive and only available for a short amount of time." Munoz claimed that the Model 3's success is remarkable, and out of the ordinary, as it usually takes half a year to get these kind of results. 

Norway has been one of the more popular places for electric cars thanks to tax breaks and other benefits, including discounts for toll roads and discounts on parking. The former makes electrified machines much more affordable than in other parts of the world. Norway also has an extensive network of charging stations, which makes it easier to live with an EV. 

With the Model 3 doing so well in its first month, it wouldn't be surprising to see the electric sedan continue its popularity throughout the year. EVs, after all, are incredibly popular in the country. 

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods