Plan a vacation in Norway?
Welcome to Norway – the land of the midnight sun, fjords and mountains – and electric cars.
There are at the moment (as of 17. October 2026) more than 1,218,000 electric cars in Norway, and the number is increasing every month. You can find the updated number of EVs here: https://elbilstatistikk.no. That makes a higher and higher demand for enough infrastructure for all-electric cars. New-car sales remain extremely high – 98.8 % electric in September 2026, a new monthly record.
The main purpose of this article is to give you, as a tourist in Norway, some helpful pointers to a trouble-free vacation with an electric car, hopefully without range anxiety.
You can read an inspirational Norwegian summer travel story from an English Tesla owner here: TOGUK-Norwegian-Fjord-Road-Trip-2019.
Preperations
- Install charging apps (see below) on your mobile phone
- Register your vehicle for AutoPASS / Epass24 so you receive the correct lower toll rates.
- Get hold of a Type 2 charge-cable if you have none from before
- Check whether you need a Norwegian Mobile Connector / UMC (see notes below).
- Bring a CHAdeMO adapter only if your car actually requires it.
- Have a payment card ready and pre-register in the main apps.
Charging apps
For practical travel we recommend:
- Elton – broad coverage across many operators.
- Operator apps: Mer, Recharge, Circle K Charge, Kople, Ionity.
- The Tesla app (most Norwegian Superchargers are open to non-Tesla CCS cars).
- A route planner such as A Better Routeplanner (ABRP).
Many newer fast chargers accept direct card payment, but apps usually give better prices and real-time status. Fast-charging prices in mid-October 2026 typically sat around 5.90–6.80 NOK/kWh depending on operator and payment method (several operators raised prices slightly in early/mid October).
LadeNå is still available and useful for an overview linked to the NOBIL database.
http://www.apphuset.com/apps/ladenaa/
Autopass/tolls
Electric cars are not free on most toll roads. Zero-emission vehicles normally pay a maximum of 50 % of the ordinary rate (local rates vary and can be lower; some projects apply different rules). Foreign-registered cars must register in advance (Epass24 or an “AutoPASS” visitor agreement) to be recognised as electric. Without correct registration you risk the full fossil-car rate plus extra fees.
Sometimes the front window does not allow the signal from the tag to come through properly. In that case – put it in the back window, or somewhere appropriate.
Type 2 cable and Tesla chargers
A Type 2 cable is still very useful for destination and AC charging (hotels, shopping centres, many municipal points). Tesla Destination Chargers remain common at hotels. Most Tesla Supercharger sites in Norway are open to non-Tesla vehicles with CCS – start and pay via the Tesla app.
Tesla Owners Club Norway has sponsored some 22kW chargers at various shopping malls and hotels in Norway. You can check them out here:
https://www.tocn.no/2015/09/hvor-finner-man-ladefondsladere
Many hotels have Type 2 Destination Chargers from Tesla (check in the Tesla map – or by following the QR-link above)
CHAdeMO adapter
Older Model S and X can use CHAdeMO as well, if you have an adapter.
It is possible to borrow a CHAdeMO adapter on various locations around the country:
https://www.tocn.no/chademo-adapters
Rapid chargers
Main networks covering Norway include Mer, Recharge, Circle K, Ionity, Eviny, Kople and Tesla Superchargers. Fortum Charge & Drive continues as a roaming option. Coverage on the main roads (E6, E18, E39, etc.) is dense; northern and more remote stretches require a little more planning.
| Company | URL to registration /Information | Details |
| Fortum Charge and Drive | https://www.fortum.no/privat/lade-elbil/lade-pa-ladestasjoner/ladeappen/hvordan-bruke-charge-drive-appen Scroll down on page for English instructions | Have Type-2, CCS and CHAdeMO on most locations, some places only Type 2. Cover all of Norway. Their map of chargers can be seen in the mobile app |
| Mer | https://minside.mer.eco/bestill (no English page here) | Cover all of Norway Their map of chargers – can also be seen in their mobile app |
Other useful Information
Charging using a normal Tesla charge cable (UMC)
The safest way to make sure you can charge using a plug at the hotel is to borrow or buy a Norwegian UMC from Tesla in Norway.
Ferries in Norway
Electric cars normally receive a substantial discount on AutoPASS ferries (typically around 50 %, higher with a proper prepayment agreement and tag). The discount is easiest to obtain when the vehicle is correctly registered in the system. Arrive with enough charge for the crossing plus the next leg – do not rely on charging at the quay.
Parking
Municipal street parking often has a lower rate or free period for electric vehicles. Check the signs and any “elbil” information; rules vary by municipality. Private parking and most garages usually charge the full rate.
Parking in the street or on public parking spots normally has a lower rate for electric vehicles. All parking with P-signs that are blue with white P, are normally owned by the municipality.
If in doubt, check the sign on the machine. If you find a coat of arms and the word “kommune”, you should be able to park for a lower rate as long as you follow a few rules:
- Check if there is a time limit on how long you can park. If so, write a note and put it in the window saying “parkert klokken hh:mm “+ the date (put in the time you parked). Remember to be back in time.
You can use a parking clock as well (examples are shown below). - Some municipalities will charge you anyway, and an electric car will normally pay in all parking garages.
Meeting places on narrow roads (møteplasser)
Many Norwegian roads – especially in the fjords, mountains, Lofoten, and other scenic areas – are narrow, often single-lane or with limited room for two vehicles to pass. These stretches have designated meeting places (møteplasser), marked with a blue rectangular sign showing a large white “M”.
Etiquette and practical rules:
- Pull fully into the meeting place. Stop completely off the driving lane so the oncoming vehicle can pass safely. Do not stop only partly in the road.
Who should yield? In practice, the driver who has a meeting place closest on their side, or who reaches one first, should use it and wait. Avoid forcing the other vehicle to reverse if possible – reversing on narrow, winding roads is more dangerous and slower. - Uphill vs downhill: The vehicle travelling uphill is often given priority, as it is harder to start again on a slope. Be flexible and use eye contact, a wave, or indicators to communicate.
- Never park on a meeting place. They are only for temporary yielding to oncoming traffic. Parking is prohibited and can block the road for everyone else (and may result in a fine).
- Plan ahead and drive calmly. Watch for oncoming traffic early, reduce speed on narrow sections, keep to the right, and be patient. If you are slower (e.g. looking for photos or driving a large camper), use meeting places to let faster traffic pass.
- Locals are generally used to this system and appreciate considerate drivers. A little courtesy goes a long way on these roads.
Winter and range
Expect 20–40 % less range in cold weather (sometimes more). Precondition the battery and cabin while plugged in, prefer seat heaters, and add extra buffer on high or northern routes. Fast charging slows in deep cold unless the battery is preconditioned.
If you need help
Remember to enjoy yourself – and if you find yourself in trouble when it comes to charging, there might be a Tesla-owner living close, or you can get some expert help through our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/TeslaOwnersClubNorway, our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TeslaOwnersClubNorway or through the discussion forum on http://elbilforum.no/forum/index.php/board,59.0.html.
Where to rent a Tesla
Several rental companies offer Teslas and other EVs. Confirm the charging cable situation, winter tyres (if relevant) and any AutoPASS arrangements when booking.
Some rental companies where you can rent a Tesla in Norway:
Avis: https://www.avis.co.uk/drive-avis/fleet/prestige/norway
Sixt: https://www.sixt.no/?changeLocale=true&et_uk=cde289cb8e04490883ecc309e82d5f2f
Where to go
There are so many nice places to visit in Norway. Some strive for the very north like North Cape (Nordkapp) and the midnight sun, some for fjords and others for mountain exploration. Tromsø is (in the winter time) THE place to see Northern Lights.
For fjords: check for inspiration here: https://www.tocn.no/2016/06/landstreff-flam.
For more information about where to go and what to see in Norway – check Visit Norway.
Safe travels – and welcome to Norway!
A film from June 2016 in Flåm:
