The unusually low temperatures have led to a significant disruption in Oslo’s electric bus fleet

In the early days of this year, a dramatic drop in temperatures was observed across Norway, Finland, and Sweden, with some areas experiencing temperatures plummeting to below -40 degrees Celsius. This marks the lowest temperatures recorded this winter. Notably, the small town of Nikkaluokta in northern Sweden experienced a frigid -41.6 degrees Celsius early on January 2nd, as reported by the Swedish broadcaster SVT. Oslo experienced a historic low when the temperature fell below -30°C for the first time, contributing to a total of 15 new cold records set across eastern Norway.

This wave of extreme cold is not isolated to these countries; Spain is also bracing for a sharp drop in temperatures, with highs not expected to surpass ten degrees this week. The severe cold, coupled with significant snowfall, is wreaking havoc on transportation systems and leading to disruptions in electrical supplies. This situation is particularly challenging for vehicles that have transitioned away from combustion engines as part of the broader climate agenda.

In Norway’s capital, the impact of the cold weather has been stark, leading to the cancellation of approximately 100 electric bus departures. This development raises concerns over the city’s investment and its efforts to shift towards more environmentally friendly transportation options. The cold weather significantly affects the performance and reliability of electric vehicles, posing a challenge to cities like Oslo that are striving to meet ambitious climate goals through the adoption of such technologies.