How to compare charging prices

It should be simple to compare charging prices: who has the lowest price per kWh? But in reality, charging operators make it surprisingly difficult. Some charge per kWh, others per minute, some have start fees, and prices vary by charging speed, time of day, and whether you are a registered user.

In this guide, we show you how to navigate the pricing jungle and find the truly cheapest charger — not just the one that looks cheapest.

Kr/kWh — the most important unit of measurement

The only fair way to compare charging prices is kroner per kilowatt-hour (kr/kWh). This tells you what you actually pay for the electricity you get into your battery.

In 2026, the typical price picture looks like this:

• Home charging: 1.00-2.00 kr/kWh
• Semi-fast (AC, 22 kW): 2.50-4.00 kr/kWh
• Fast charging (50 kW): 3.49-5.49 kr/kWh
• Fast charging (150-350 kW): 3.99-6.99 kr/kWh

But remember: this is just the starting point. Several factors can make the real price higher than the stated kWh price.

Watch out for per-minute pricing

Some operators charge per minute instead of (or in addition to) per kWh. This is the most common pitfall.

Why is per-minute pricing problematic?

Because different cars charge at different speeds. A car that can charge at 250 kW gets much more electricity per minute than a car charging at 50 kW — but both pay the same per minute.

Here is an example showing the difference:

Fortunately, most operators in Norway have switched to kWh-based pricing in 2026, but some still use per-minute pricing, especially outside Norway.

Start fees and surcharges

Several operators add costs beyond the kWh price itself:

Start fee

A fixed fee per charging session, regardless of how much you charge. This can be anywhere from 5 to 25 kr. The start fee especially affects those who charge small amounts — topping up 10 kWh with a 20 kr start fee means 2 kr/kWh extra.

Idle fee

Many operators charge extra if you leave your car connected after charging is complete. This is to ensure charging spots are available for others. Typical price: 3-6 kr per minute after 10-15 minutes.

Parking

Fast chargers at shopping centres, along motorways, and in parking garages may have a parking fee in addition to the charging price. Always check the signage.

Roaming surcharge

If you charge using a third-party app at an operator you do not have a direct agreement with, a roaming surcharge may apply that makes charging more expensive.

Different prices for different speeds

Most operators in Norway have differentiated prices based on charging speed. Typically there are two or three price levels:

• AC/normal speed (up to 22 kW): lowest price
• DC/fast (50 kW): medium price
• DC/ultra-fast (150-350 kW): highest price

This means the advertised "from" price often applies to the lowest speed. When you actually plug in at an ultra-fast charger, the price can be 1-2 kr/kWh higher.

Registered vs. drop-in — a big price difference

One of the most important distinctions in the Norwegian charging market is between registered users and drop-in customers.

Registered user: You download the operator's app, create an account, and register a payment card. Free to register. Rewarded with a lower price per kWh.

Drop-in: You pay with a bank card directly at the charger without registering. Simple, but significantly more expensive.

Typical difference in 2026:

How to use ladr.no to compare

It is precisely this jungle of prices, fees, and conditions that ladr.no helps you navigate. On ladr.no you can:

• See updated kWh prices for all nine major operators in Norway
• Compare prices across operators and speeds
• Find the cheapest charger nearby with our map
• Calculate what a charging session actually costs with your car

We do the work of collecting prices, including all surcharges, and presenting everything in a comparable format — so you can make informed choices and save money.

Checklist: how to compare correctly

Next time you need to choose a charging station, use this checklist:

1. Check the kWh price — not just the advertised price, but for the speed you will actually charge at
2. Look for surcharges — start fee, parking fee, idle fee
3. Consider your car's charging speed — if you have low charging speed, avoid per-minute chargers
4. Register — never pay drop-in if you can avoid it
5. Consider a subscription — if you charge regularly with one operator, a subscription may pay off

Frequently asked questions