This July, Thrive Electrify traveled to Norway. We naturally rented an EV to explore this beautiful county. Follow us on our electric journey through beautiful Norway! Easy access to charging facilities has made Norway a preferred destination for electric vehicle enthusiasts. Norway is the world’s most EV-friendly country, and minimal planning was required for travel due to its robust charging network. Our experience was mainly positive, but with a few speed bumps that illustrate the challenges created during the country’s transition to EVs.
Loen, Norway
The Land of the Midnight Sun
Land of majestic mountains, breathtaking fjords, mouthwatering seafood, outdoorsy-ness, social equity, and sustainable environmentalism. In many ways, it reminded us very much of our own beloved West Coast…plus Vikings!
Did you know?
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Norway has more EVs on the road than any other country per capita.
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1 in 5 cars on the road are EVs.
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- 80% of new-car sales were electric in 2022.
- Norway plans to end the sale of gas-powered cars entirely by 2025.
EVs Galore!
Norway is actively promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. This endeavor involves offering a range of incentives akin to those recently introduced by BC Hydro. (read more about the newest incentives here).
We were amazed by the overwhelming presence of electric vehicles. Familiar models were present like Tesla, Nissan, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Mustang. We also saw numerous electric utility vehicles such as scooters, off-road vehicles, public buses, street cleaners, and postal service vehicles.
Thrive decided to rent the XPENG P7, described by the rental company agent as a ‘Chinese version of a Tesla’. The company is known for its smart EV technology, advanced driver-assistance systems, AI capabilities, and smart connectivity features. We enjoyed the luxurious interior, acceleration and handling, and the song it would play when travelling at very low speeds.
Electric recreational vehicle on the city streets of Hellesylt, Norway
XPENG P7 in Åndalsnes, Norway
Ready, Set, Charge
Despite its widespread adoption of EV technology, Norway’s EV charging infrastructure has been characterized by its complicated system of competing suppliers. With nearly 30 different apps, multiple RFID chips, and 13 different payment solutions (but not credit card payment), charging EVs in Norway can be a complicated thing. 2
Elton to the Rescue
A company called Elton has stepped up to the challenge of fixing the issue of competing suppliers. Here is what they have done:
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- 16 different chargers were recently consolidated into one app.
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- Elton works at all Circle K (major convenience store chain) stations in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
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Lessons Learned
Another app, Bilkraft, one of the most popular charging apps in Norway, gave us some trouble.
- The instructions were entirely in Norweigan.
- It would not accept my Canadian mobile number to complete the registration process.
This led to a somewhat scary moment the first time we tried (and failed) to use it at a remote charging station in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park where the only available chargers were Tesla and Elton (despite the rental agent’s assurance that the car could use Tesla chargers, we were unable to connect the vehicle to the Tesla network). As a result, we spent a somewhat late night at a Circle-K station, while our vehicle charged up for the next leg of our journey.
Driving Change
One exciting development in Norway’s electric charging system will make it easier to charge up, and hopefully eliminate the hassle of using multiple apps and RFID chips. As of July 1, 2023, all new charging stations must accept credit card payments. In this way, Norway leads the rest of the EU, which is expected to require card payment options at all charging stations in the near future. 3
Conclusion
Ultimately, despite the growing pains of its nascent charging infrastructure, Norway sets a strong example for other countries to follow. By consolidating down into fewer apps, and by accepting credit card payment at all new charging stations, Norway is taking steps to make charging more convenient for locals and tourists alike.
If you would like to learn more about how you can take advantage of BC Hydro’s incentives and add EV chargers to your workplace, reach out to us at Thrive Electrify!
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Written by Adam Paton
Business Development Manager
Adam is the Manager of Business Development at Thrive Electrify. He has a background in providing eco-friendly digital solutions. He excels in building lasting connections with clients and spotting opportunities for business growth. What sets him apart are his desire to give exemplary customer service, and his commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and society. Through his work, Adam aims to create a world where innovative advancements and ecological values harmoniously coexist, shaping a brighter future for all. Adam has a great love for the outdoors, and spends his spare time enjoying the fresh air.
Citations
1 Ewing, Jack (2023, May 9). In Norway, the Electric Vehicle Future Has Already Arrived. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/business/energy-environment/norway-electric-vehicles.html
2 Figenbaum, Erik & Wangsness, Paal Brevik (2022, September 21). The Norwegian charging market for electric cars is chaotic and not very user friendly. NORDIC Road and Transportation Research. https://nordicroads.com/the-norwegian-charging-market-for-electric-cars-is-chaotic-and-not-very-user-friendly/
3 Leendertse, Willem., Ystrøm, Thomas., and Våge, Hanne Christin (2023, June 29). Lance had to change the charger due to app problems – but now electric car charging will be easier. Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. https://www-nrk-no.translate.goog/rogaland/nye-krav-for-betaling-pa-ladestasjonar-_-na-er-det-kortbetaling-som-gjeld-for-elbilistar-1.16464686?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp