Should I rent an electric car in Norway as a tourist?
Charging, winter range, tolls and rental terms for EVs.
Short answer
Renting an electric car is a practical choice for most trips in Norway, as most rental companies offer EVs and there are more than 30,000 charging points. Plan charging in rural areas, register with the main charging providers in advance and expect about 25 per cent shorter range in winter, according to NAF.
Why
- Visit Norway says you can easily rent an electric car from most rental companies and advises booking it well in advance.
- NAF's rule of thumb is to plan for 25 per cent shorter range in winter, and its tests found range losses of 4–30 per cent even at a few degrees below zero.
- Electric cars pay lower tolls: in the Oslo toll ring in 2026 an EV pays NOK 21 outside rush hour, against NOK 38 for a petrol car.
Details
Sixt's Norwegian terms say an electric car should be handed over charged to at least 70 per cent unless otherwise agreed, and the renter pays for charge used but not replaced at Sixt's retail price. Visit Norway recommends registering with the major charging providers in advance, usually through an app. New fast chargers of 50 kW or more ordered by operators after 1 July 2023 must accept card payment. Statens vegvesen advises making sure you have enough charge before a mountain pass.
Tip
In sparsely populated areas, follow Visit Norway's advice: plan your next charging stop in advance and charge whenever you have the chance.
What may differ
Range falls in cold weather and varies a lot between models, so an EV needs more planning on long winter drives and in areas with few chargers.
Common misconception
An electric car will not cope with Northern Norway.
What actually happens
Visit Norway says you can get around easily in an EV even in the northernmost parts of Northern Norway, as long as you plan charging stops.
People also ask
- Is it a good idea to hire an electric car in Norway?
- Is an electric rental car practical for a road trip in Norway?
Sources
- Visit Norway: Electric cars in NorwayChecked at:
- Visit Norway: Must-know before you driveChecked at:
- NAF: Plan for 25 per cent shorter range in winterChecked at:
- Sixt Norway: Rental terms and conditions (PDF)Checked at:
- Fjellinjen: Tariffs and toll stationsChecked at:
Prices change, so check the rental company and the charging operator before you go.
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.