Charging on holiday — tips for Norway and Europe
Travelling on holiday with an EV has become everyday life for Norwegian drivers. Whether you're driving to Nordkapp, the cabin in the mountains, or through Europe to the Mediterranean, charging along the way is a natural part of the trip. But there are differences between charging in Norway and abroad — from operators and payment solutions to connector types and pricing models. Here's what you need to know for a worry-free EV holiday in 2026.
Charging on holiday in Norway
A well-developed charging network
Norway has one of the world's best-developed charging networks for EVs. In 2026, there are fast charging stations along all national roads and the vast majority of county roads. Even in more remote parts of the country, it's rarely more than 50-80 km between charging stations.
The largest operators in Norway include:
- Circle K / Recharge — wide coverage along main roads
- Mer (formerly Gronn Kontakt) — many stations in cities and along roads
- Kople — growing network with a focus on good user experience
- Tesla Supercharger — open to all car brands since 2024
- Ionity — high-power chargers along motorways
Find the nearest charging station — use the map to find charging stations along your holiday route in Norway.
Price differences between operators
Charging prices vary significantly between operators, and it can pay to compare before the holiday. Some operators offer subscriptions that give a lower price per kWh, while others have more affordable prices without a subscription.
Compare charging subscriptions — find the best subscription for your holiday trip.
Popular holiday areas in Norway — what you should know
Heading north (Nordland, Troms, Finnmark): The charging network is good along the E6, but the distances between stations can be longer than in southern Norway. Plan a bit of extra margin for each leg.
Western Norway (the fjords): Ferries take time but not battery. You can make use of waiting time at ferry quays, where there are often charging options.
The mountains (cabin): Many cabin owners have now installed charging options, but check this in advance. Alternatively, you can charge in the nearest village before driving up to the cabin.
Charging on holiday in Europe
Crossing the border with an EV requires a bit more preparation, but it's fully achievable and getting easier all the time.
The charging network in Europe in 2026
Europe has expanded its charging network significantly in recent years. The EU requirement for fast chargers along all main roads every 60 kilometres is starting to show results. The situation still varies between countries, however:
- Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands: Very well developed. Almost as easy as in Norway.
- France, Spain, Italy: Well developed along motorways, but can be thinner off the main routes.
- Eastern Europe: Varies a lot. Main routes have coverage, but in rural areas it can be far between stations.
Operators that work across borders
One of the great advantages in 2026 is that more operators work seamlessly across national borders:
- Ionity: Europe's largest fast charging network with stations in over 20 countries. Perfect for long-distance driving through Europe.
- Tesla Supercharger: Open to all car brands across all of Europe.
- Fastned: Large network in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and the UK.
Roaming — use one app across many networks
Roaming apps let you use one account to charge at many different operators. The most important ones for Norwegian EV drivers in Europe:
- Plugsurfing: Access to hundreds of thousands of charging points in Europe with one app.
- Chargemap: Popular in France and southern Europe with good map coverage.
- Shell Recharge: Broad coverage in northern Europe.
Payment and apps — prepare from home
Prepare charging cards and apps before you travel. Here's a checklist:
- Download the apps for the major European operators (Ionity, Fastned, Shell Recharge).
- Register a payment card in the apps in advance — make sure the card works abroad.
- Have a physical charging card as backup — some stations have poor mobile coverage.
- Check if your car supports Plug & Charge — an increasing number of chargers and cars support automatic payment without an app or card.
Connectors and cables
CCS — European standard
In 2026, CCS2 (Combined Charging System) is the universal standard for fast charging in Europe. All new EVs sold in Europe use CCS2 for fast charging, and all new fast chargers have CCS2 connectors. You don't need an adapter for fast charging in Europe.
Type 2 — for slower charging
For AC charging (home charging, destination charging), Europe uses the Type 2 connector. Most EVs are delivered with a Type 2 cable. Bring this on holiday — it's useful for:
- Hotel charging overnight
- Campsites with power points
- Public AC chargers in cities
The United Kingdom — the special case
The UK uses Type 2 and CCS2 for EV charging, just like the rest of Europe. So you don't need any special charging cable adapters. But remember that they use BS 1363 outlets (three-pin) for regular sockets, so a Schuko adapter won't work there.
Charging etiquette — be considerate
Some unwritten rules for charging, especially during busy holiday periods:
- Move the car when it's finished charging. Don't leave the car occupying the charging space after charging is complete.
- Don't charge to 100 percent at a busy station. Charge to 80 percent and free up the space for the next car.
- Don't unplug someone else's charging cable. Even if it looks like the car is finished charging.
- Clean up after yourself. Hang the cable neatly back in place.
Economics — what does holiday charging cost?
Charging costs vary a lot between countries and operators. Generally, fast charging is more expensive than home charging, and prices abroad can be both higher and lower than in Norway.
See all prices — compare Norwegian charging prices before your holiday trip.
As a rule of thumb, you can budget approximately 5-8 kr per kWh for fast charging in Europe in 2026. With a consumption of 18-20 kWh per 100 km, that gives a cost of 90-160 kr per 100 km — still cheaper than petrol in most European countries.
Holiday checklist for EVs
Before the holiday:
- Plan route with charging stops
- Download necessary charging apps
- Register payment card in the apps
- Check the car's charging cable and accessories
- Update the car's software
- Check tyre pressure
- Order any charging subscriptions
To pack:
- Type 2 charging cable
- Schuko adapter (emergency charging)
- Outlet adapter for the destination country (for phone, etc.)
- Power bank for phone
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special charging cable abroad?
No, for fast charging all of Europe uses the CCS2 standard, which is built into the car. For AC charging, Europe uses Type 2, which is the same standard as in Norway. Bring your regular Type 2 cable for destination charging at hotels and campsites.
Can I use Norwegian charging apps abroad?
Most Norwegian charging apps only work in Norway. Download European roaming apps like Plugsurfing or Shell Recharge before you travel, or use the major European operators' own apps (Ionity, Fastned). Several Norwegian operators have partnerships with European networks that allow your card to work abroad — check with your operator.
How far can I drive between each charging stop in Europe?
In Western Europe in 2026, it's rarely more than 60-100 km between fast charging stations along motorways. With an EV with 300-400 km range, you can safely plan legs of 200-300 km. In Eastern Europe and in rural areas, you should plan with shorter legs and more margin.
Is it safe to charge the EV at campsites?
Yes, many campsites in Europe have power points that can be used for EV charging. Use an approved charging cable with a Schuko plug or a dedicated camping charger. Check that the power point has sufficient capacity — some older campsites have weak fuses. Charge at moderate power (6-8A) to avoid overloading the system.
What do I do if I run out of power abroad?
Call the car's roadside assistance service — most EV manufacturers offer this. Roadside assistance can either transport the car to a charging station or bring a mobile charger. In the EU, you can also call the European emergency number 112. To avoid the situation: plan conservatively, always have a plan B for an alternative charging station, and don't let the battery go below 15-20 percent between charging stops.
Kilder
- AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) — EU regulation requiring fast chargers every 60 km on TEN-T corridors
- Ionity — Pan-European high-power charging network
- Plugsurfing — European charging roaming platform
- Tesla Supercharger — Tesla's European Supercharger network
- NOBIL — Norwegian charging infrastructure database