Norway boasts over 10,000 charging stations. To ensure a smooth trip, it's a good idea to plan your charging stops in advance. Charging stations are commonly found at gas stations, hotels, shopping centers, municipal parking lots, and other locations. Finding a charging station in Norway is simple with resources like www.ladestasjoner.no or your car's GPS, which might have the option to point out the nearest charging points. Most hotels also offer charging facilities; ask your accommodation about the conditions when checking in.
The best way to manage charging is to download one of the charging provider apps on your smartphone. Besides finding stations, these apps allow you to pay for charging. Many charging points will not accept cards, so app payments are the most convenient. Ensuring you have a registered payment method set up before your trip will save you time.
Several apps are available for download, and some of the more popular ones are Elton, Ionity, Tesla (usable by non-Tesla drivers as well), and Bilkraft/Eviny (often used in the fjord area). You can choose any app you want, but not all apps list all stations. Often, rental companies will also have their preferred charging partner, and you will get this information when picking up your car.
For rental cars, it's crucial to top up the car when returning it, just like with an internal combustion engine car. Different companies have different rules, but generally, they consider the car "full" when it has over 80% charge and will charge around 500 NOK to charge the car if this is not the case.
If you own your EV, things will feel familiar quickly. If you’re renting an electric car for the first time, it might take a little while to adapt, but by preparing in advance and understanding the infrastructure, traveling by electric car in Norway can be an enjoyable and environmentally friendly way to explore this beautiful country.
Each EV may have different charging requirements, so ensure you know how to use both regular and fast chargers. Rental cars will have the right cables on board, and the personnel at the desk will be more than happy to answer any questions you have upon pickup. If you drive your EV, bringing your own Type 2 cable is a good idea to use all sorts of chargers.
By planning ahead and familiarizing yourself with Norway’s extensive charging network, you can enjoy a seamless and sustainable travel experience.
Enjoy your journey and safe travels!