How to Find the Nearest Charging Station
Finding an available charging station shouldn't be difficult. With over 5,184 charging stations in Norway, you usually have a charging point nearby — but you need to know where to look. Here are the best ways to find the nearest charging station, whether you're at home planning or out on the road.
1. Use the charging map on ladr.no
The easiest way to find and compare charging stations is to use the Find nearest charging station map on ladr.no. The map shows all public charging stations in Norway — over 5,184 stations from all the major operators.
What you can do on the charging map:
- See all charging stations near your location
- Filter by operator (Recharge, Mer, Circle K, Tesla, and more)
- Filter by charging power (50 kW, 150 kW, 350 kW)
- See prices directly on the map
- Compare prices between different stations in the same area
The advantage of ladr.no is that you see prices from all operators in one place, making it easy to choose the most affordable station nearby.
2. Your car's built-in navigation
Most modern EVs have built-in navigation that knows about charging stations. Many cars automatically plan charging stops when you enter a long-distance destination.
How to use your car's nav:
- Enter your destination as usual
- The car calculates whether you need a charging stop along the way
- Charging stations are suggested automatically based on range
- Some cars precondition the battery for optimal charging speed
Cars with especially good charging features:
- Tesla: The Supercharger network is integrated into navigation, with estimated wait times and available spaces
- Volkswagen/Skoda/Audi: We Charge integration shows available stations
- BMW/Mercedes: Built-in planning with multiple charging networks
- Polestar/Volvo: Google Maps with integrated charging information
3. Operator apps
Each charging operator has its own app where you can find their stations, see real-time availability, and start charging.
The most important charging apps:
- Recharge: Shows all Recharge stations with real-time status
- Mer: Map and charging history for Mer stations
- Circle K Charging: Integrated with the Circle K app
- Tesla: Supercharger map with wait times and availability
- Ionity: European coverage with real-time status
Advantages of operator apps:
- Real-time status for each charging point
- Ability to reserve a charging spot (with some operators)
- Charging history and receipts
- Push notifications when charging is complete
Disadvantage:
- You need many apps to cover all operators
- No cross-operator price comparison
4. Google Maps and Apple Maps
Both Google Maps and Apple Maps show charging stations. This can be convenient if you already use these for navigation.
How to find chargers in Google Maps:
- Search for "charging station" or "EV charging" in the search field
- The map shows charging stations nearby
- Tap a station to see details
- See connector type, power output, and user reviews
Google Maps is especially useful when you're in an unfamiliar area and just need to find the nearest charging station quickly. But be aware that the price information is not always up to date.
5. Plan long trips with charging stops
If you're going on a long trip, it pays to plan your charging stops in advance. That way you avoid stress and can choose stations with the best price and location.
Plan a trip with charging stopsTips for trip planning:
- Plan charging stops where you would take a break anyway (food, restroom, stretch your legs)
- Schedule charging stops with 10-15 percent remaining battery as a buffer
- Check that the station has multiple charging points, so there's a better chance of finding a free space
- Have an alternative station in mind in case your preferred station is full or out of service
Tips for finding available chargers
Even though Norway has many charging stations, there can be queues at times — especially at popular stations during holidays and weekends.
How to increase your chances of finding a free charger:
- Avoid rush hour: Afternoon and early evening are often the busiest
- Check real-time status: Use apps that show whether charging points are available
- Choose less popular stations: Stations slightly off the main road often have less queuing
- Be flexible on operator: Don't lock yourself to one operator — compare price and availability instead
Summary
You have several good tools for finding charging stations in Norway. For the best overview with price comparison, we recommend using the charging map on ladr.no. Combine it with your car's navigation on long trips, and you're well covered.
Compare charging pricesHow many charging stations are there in Norway?
Norway has over 5,184 public charging stations with fast charging. In addition, there are thousands of normal chargers at shopping centers, parking garages, and residential complexes. The number is growing steadily, with new stations opening every week.
Which app is best for finding charging stations?
It depends on what you need. For price comparison, ladr.no is best. For real-time status, use the operators' own apps. For navigation with automatic charge planning, your car's built-in system is often best.
Can I see if a charging station is available?
Yes, most operator apps show real-time status for each charging point. The charging map on ladr.no also shows which stations are in an area. Be aware that real-time status can have a few minutes' delay.
What do I do if the charging point is occupied?
Check if the station has multiple charging points — there are often free spaces even if some are occupied. Alternatively, you can use the map to find another station nearby. On ladr.no you can filter by operator and power to find alternatives quickly.
Kilder
- NOBIL — Official Norwegian charging station register — 5,184 stations
- ladr.no ladekart — Interactive map with real-time availability
- Google Maps — EV charging station search and navigation
- A Better Routeplanner — Trip planning with charging optimization