Norwegian electric vehicles are failing mandatory safety inspections at nearly double the rate of their fossil-fuel counterparts, with 30 percent of ten-year-old EVs rejected for critical faults. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Statens vegvesen, suspects a pattern of neglected maintenance as the country's pioneering EV owners grow complacent.
‘Many of the faults can be due to the fact that EVs are heavier and often have more powerful motors, which can cause more general wear. But faults like parking lights not working or brake fluid with too low a boiling point point to maintenance,’ said Leif Magne Halvorsen of Statens vegvesen in a statement released today. The data reveals a significant safety gap emerging as Norway's massive early fleet of electric cars ages.
The Inspection Gap
Official figures show a clear divergence in roadworthiness. For critical suspension, axle, and tire faults, 30 percent of ten-year-old electric cars failed their biennial EU control, compared to just 16 percent of similarly aged petrol and diesel vehicles. The trend extends to lighting and electrical equipment, where 22 percent of older EVs were rejected against 14 percent of fossil-fuel cars.
Halvorsen points to a potential behavioral shift. ‘Since EVs, among other things, don't need regular oil changes, it may be that some owners of older electric cars are tempted to skip service and ordinary maintenance. Then a number of faults won't be discovered until the car comes in for the legally required EU control,’ he said.
Beyond Regenerative Braking
It has long been understood that EVs experience more brake issues due to regenerative braking systems, which reduce use of the physical friction brakes, leading to corrosion. However, the latest control data uncovered widespread problems with components unrelated to the powertrain.
This suggests the issue is not solely technical but also rooted in owner habits. The administration emphasizes that the EU control is merely a snapshot check of a vehicle's safety and environmental standards at that moment. It does not account for future use and should not be confused with or replace regular servicing.
The Cost of Complacency
Neglecting these issues carries direct financial and safety consequences. ‘When you drive with faults in the suspension and steering, you will simultaneously increase wear on other components like tires. Therefore, it is important, and cost-effective, to repair such faults as soon as possible,’ Halvorsen advised.
Most personal vehicles in Norway require inspection every other year, starting when the car is four years old. If faults are found, owners typically get a chance to repair them and return for approval. However, some defects are so serious they result in an immediate driving ban. Last year, this happened to 33,000 light vehicles.
A Regional Divide in Vehicle Care
The audit data also highlighted a surprising geographic pattern in vehicle maintenance. Finnmark county in the far north, despite harsh Arctic driving conditions, had the highest pass rate, with 39 percent of vehicles failing initial inspection. In contrast, the counties of Agder and Buskerud saw failure rates of 50 percent. This indicates that factors beyond climate, potentially including owner attitudes and access to service networks, influence maintenance standards.
The Path Forward
The Public Roads Administration's warning is a preemptive measure. There is no suggestion of systemic failure, but a clear trend that requires correction. The next phase of Norway's EV leadership may involve not just selling cars, but educating owners on their long-term care. As Halvorsen succinctly put it, the legally mandated control is not a substitute for proper upkeep.
For a nation that has invested so heavily in an electric future, ensuring those vehicles remain safe on the roads for their full lifespan is the next logical step. The message from Vegvesenet is clear: the era of maintenance-free motoring has not arrived. Norway's drivers must adapt their habits to match the technology they champion.