How do I charge an electric car in Norway as a tourist?
Apps, card payment, where to find chargers and what foreign plates mean.
Short answer
Tourists charge electric cars in Norway with operator apps, a bank card at chargers that accept it, or an app such as Elton that covers several operators. Visit Norway advises registering with the major providers before the trip, usually through an app. New chargers of 50 kW or more ordered after 1 July 2023 must accept card payment.
Why
- Visit Norway says there are more than 17,000 charging stations and 3,300 rapid chargers spread across the country.
- The card payment requirement first applies to new charging posts of 50 kW or more that operators ordered after 1 July 2023.
- Hotels are increasingly offering charging for guests, sometimes for free, according to Visit Norway.
Details
Many operators let you pay by bank card through a QR code without creating a profile, while starting a charge by SMS can cost more. NAF notes that many apps give an overview of fast chargers, which helps you find stations along the route. An EV or plug-in hybrid needs Norwegian registration plates to use the parking spaces and other facilities reserved for such cars.
Tip
Ask your hotel or campsite about charging when you book, and with a rental EV ask which apps or charging cards come with the car.
What may differ
Cars with foreign plates do not get the Norwegian EV parking benefits, even when they are fully electric.
People also ask
- How do you charge an electric car in Norway?
- Where are the charging stations in Norway?
Sources
Information checked on 15 October 2026.
EV travel: charging at cabins and along the routeRelated questions
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Are Norway's mountain roads open in May, or is it too early for a road trip?
Some seasonal mountain roads in Norway are open by May, but others, such as Trollstigen and Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, have opened as late as June in previous years.
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Has Norway banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars?
No, Norway has not banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, but it has a political goal that all new passenger cars should be zero-emission by 2025.
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Can other electric cars use Tesla Superchargers in Norway?
Yes, most Tesla Supercharger stations in Norway are now open to other electric cars with a CCS charging port, and you start and pay for charging in the Tesla app.
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Can I get E5 or 98 octane petrol in Norway?
Yes, you can still buy 98 octane petrol labelled 98 E5 in several places in Norway, but every pump marked 95 now sells E10 with up to 10 percent ethanol.