10 things to consider when choosing an EV

1. What is your typical daily driving distance?

This is the most important question. If you average 50 km a day, even an older EV with limited range will do. If you drive 150 km daily and can never charge at home, you need a car with long range and access to fast chargers along your route.

As a rule of thumb: choose a car with a WLTP range at least double your daily driving distance. That gives you a comfortable buffer for winter conditions and unexpected situations.

2. Can you charge at home?

Home charging is one of the biggest advantages of owning an EV. If you start the day with a full battery, range is rarely an issue. If you live in a detached house or townhouse with a garage or carport, installing a home charger is straightforward. If you live in an apartment without charging access, you'll depend on public charging infrastructure — and should choose a car that charges quickly.

3. Winter range, not summer range

WLTP figures are measured under ideal conditions. In a Norwegian winter — cold temperatures, cabin preheating, heated seats and steering wheel — range is typically reduced by 25–40 percent. A car rated at 500 km WLTP will realistically give you 300–375 km on a cold January day.

Cars with a heat pump handle the cold significantly better. Always check whether a heat pump is standard or optional — and whether it's included in the listed price.

4. Charging speed: kW determines your road-trip pace

Fast-charging capacity is measured in kilowatts (kW). The higher, the shorter your stops on long trips. A car that charges at 50 kW takes twice as long as one that charges at 100 kW. Cars with 800-volt architecture — such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, Porsche Taycan, and Audi Q6 e-tron — charge the fastest and are especially well suited for frequent long-distance driving.

5. Size and body style

SUVs dominate sales in Norway, but sedans and estate cars typically deliver longer range from the same battery — thanks to lower aerodynamic drag. Think about what you actually use the car for: families with children and lots of luggage benefit from an SUV, while commuters who mostly drive alone are often better served by an efficient sedan.

6. Price — but the full picture

EVs in Norway are exempt from VAT up to NOK 500,000. Above that threshold, you pay 25% VAT on the excess amount. The one-off registration tax is based on weight, so heavy SUVs pay more than light city cars. Remember to factor in insurance, maintenance (lower than petrol/diesel), charging costs, and any home charger installation when calculating the total cost.

7. All-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive?

AWD provides better traction on slippery roads and is popular in Norway. However, AWD variants consume more energy and cost more. Modern rear-wheel-drive EVs with good winter tyres perform very well — and give you longer range at a lower price. If you live in a flat city with good snow clearing, AWD is rarely necessary.

8. Tow bar — check the weight limits

Not all EVs can tow a trailer. Available tow bar options and permitted towing weights vary greatly between models. Some cars, such as the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4, handle up to 1,600 kg braked, while others are limited to 750 kg or have no tow bar option at all. If you use a trailer regularly, make this an absolute requirement in your search.

9. The charging network along your routes

Some charging solutions — such as Tesla's Supercharger network — are open to all, but priced differently for non-Tesla owners. CCS is the dominant fast-charging standard in Europe and is supported by most new EVs. Check that there are fast chargers along the routes you drive frequently, and consider subscriptions from providers like Recharge, Ionity, or DEFA.

10. Test drive — at least two cars

Specifications on paper tell you a lot, but not everything. Seat height, visibility, noise level, infotainment logic, and driving feel vary enormously between models. Always book a test drive, and compare at least two alternatives before making your decision. Many dealers now offer multi-day test periods — take advantage of them.

Ready to compare?

Use our EV comparison tool to filter by price, range, brand, and body type — and find the models that match your needs.