That sounds a bit hyperbolic. Norway is a long country with multiple climate zones. Average temperature in March in Longyearbyen [1] is 3.4 F. Meanwhile, Embarrass, the coldest city in Minnesota according to Google, averages 8.3 F in January. Cold record in Norway is -60.5F, which is about the same as Minnesota's -60F.
According to folks living in Karasjok, the problem with EVs in extreme temperatures is the 12V starter battery capitulating once you dip below -40F. Petrol cars usually fail to start for the same reason.
While this is true, the comparison is meaningless without taking population into account.
Only 1700 people live in Longyearbyen. The majority of Norway's population lives in the southern part of the mainland, especially Oslo, with much warmer winters.
By contrast, the majority of Minnesota's population lives in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro, which is considerably colder than Oslo or Bergen or Stavanger.
According to folks living in Karasjok, the problem with EVs in extreme temperatures is the 12V starter battery capitulating once you dip below -40F. Petrol cars usually fail to start for the same reason.
[1]. https://en.climate-data.org/europa/norge/svalbard/longyearby... [2]. https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-a...