Norwegian EV drivers face charging hassles on holiday

A survey commissioned by Frende Insurance and conducted by Norstat found that more than half of electric‑vehicle owners in Norway have encountered charging problems while on vacation. The most common issues were dead or out‑of‑service chargers (31 %), malfunctioning apps or payment systems (28 %), and difficulty locating a charger (20 %). Younger drivers were particularly affected, with 35 % of those under 30 reporting non‑working chargers compared with 16 % of drivers over 60.

Industry experts advise motorists to plan extra charging stops, register on multiple charging‑network apps, and keep a safety margin in the battery – ideally around 80 % charge – before leaving the car parked for weeks. The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) also recommends unplugging the vehicle during holiday periods to avoid storm‑related damage and to monitor the 12‑volt auxiliary battery, which can prevent the car from starting if its voltage drops.

Practical tips include checking charger status in advance, avoiding peak‑time charging stations, and ensuring roadside assistance coverage is in place.