Tips for renting an electric car for the first time

Starting and running

The first thing that surprises many is the silence. An electric car starts without engine noise, often you don't even need a start button. Many rental cars are keyless: you get in, step on the brake, select «D» (Drive) just like in an automatic car, and then you're ready to go. The only clear indication that the car is on is usually a light on the dashboard.

When you release the brake and give it a little gas, you’ll notice the next thing: the acceleration is immediate. Electric cars have full torque from the very first moment, so the car feels nippy and responsive, especially at low speeds. There’s nothing to be scared of. Just take it easy for the first few minutes until you get a feel for the pedal.

The biggest difference from a petrol or diesel car, however, is how the car brakes. Most electric cars brake noticeably on their own as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator pedal, because the motor then acts as a generator and recharges the battery. This is called regeneration. On many models, the effect is so powerful that you can drive a large part of the time with just one pedal; you accelerate to speed up and lift off to slow down, and mostly only need the brake pedal for a full stop. It feels unusual for the first few kilometres, but most people find it quickly becomes comfortable. If you want a smoother transition, you can usually adjust how strong the regeneration should be in the car's menu.

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With a rental car, it's wise to keep an eye on the battery level, but you rarely need to stress about it. Stavanger and Sandnes have good coverage of rapid chargers, and there are charging stations in towns and along the main roads throughout the region. You can easily find them on the car's map, in Google/Apple Maps, or in a charging app.

Here's how fast charging works in practice:

The cable is attached to the charger. For fast and ultra-fast chargers, you don't need a separate cable – they have a built-in cable. Most cars use the CCS standard, but it's a good idea to check with your car.
Payment has become simple. At most charging stations, you can now simply tap a regular bank card to start and stop charging – from the end of 2025, card payment will be a requirement at charging stations. Alternatively, you can use a charging app (operators such as Mer, Recharge, Circle K and Eviny, or a common app like Elton) and pay with a card or Vipps.

A reservation is placed on the card. Many chargers reserve an amount in advance (typically a few hundred kroner) and then adjust it down to the actual charging cost afterwards.
Charge to around 80 percent. As the battery approaches full, the charging speed drops significantly to protect the battery. Therefore, on a longer trip, it is often faster to take an extra short stop than to wait for the last few percent.

A simple rule of thumb used by Norwegian electric car drivers: charge when you stop, don't stop to charge. Add charging to a natural break like a coffee break, a snack, a toilet visit – then the power goes in while you're resting anyway.

Plan a little in advance

For short trips between the city and attractions, you rarely need to think about charging at all; the battery lasts more than enough for a typical day. If you're planning longer trips – for example, inland to Ryfylke or south along Jæren – it's a good idea to plan a little. The car's navigation usually shows both range and charging stations along the route, and some systems automatically suggest where you should charge.

Two things worth remembering: don't run the battery completely flat before the next stop – always maintain a little reserve. And if you're here during the cold part of the year, you'll have to expect the range to drop quite a bit in the cold. If you live somewhere with overnight charging facilities, it makes the whole trip easier.

Tolls and ferries

Two practical details that are good to know in this region: The Stavanger area has toll rings, but electric cars pay a reduced rate, and rental cars usually have an AutoPASS tag, meaning crossings will be automatically invoiced to you afterwards – you don't need to do anything yourself. If you're taking a ferry (for example, into Lysefjorden or across to Ryfylke from the south), an electric car will pay a maximum of half price compared to a petrol or diesel car. Feel free to ask the rental company how they handle tolls and ferries to avoid any surprises.

Relaxed and comfortable driving

Finally, the silence is not just a curiosity but one of the great benefits. Without engine noise, the journey becomes calmer, especially on longer stretches through the countryside, and many find the driving smoother and more comfortable than they are used to, both in city traffic and on country roads.

For most people, it only takes a short drive before everything feels natural. And once it clicks, it's not difficult to understand why electric cars have become the obvious choice for both residents and visitors in this part of Norway.