Norway’s First Fully Electric “Gas Station” Is Here — Goodbye, Gas Pumps

Photo: st1

The Gas Station Is Evolving — And So Should Everyone Else

On Thursday, April 10, Norway opened its very first charging station exclusively for electric vehicles. That familiar term we’ve used for decades — “the gas station” — is quickly becoming outdated. We no longer need to stop to pump fuel or grab a hot dog at the counter. The world is changing fast, and like many others, I haven’t filled up a private car with gasoline or diesel since 2021.

With nearly 95% of new cars sold in Norway now being electric, the infrastructure around us needs to catch up. It's not just about replacing fuel pumps with chargers — it's about rethinking the entire experience of being on the road.

A New Kind of Competition

For EV drivers, the options are expanding. Traditional gas stations are no longer the only places to “fuel up.” Grocery stores, shopping malls, and restaurants are all adding chargers to their parking lots. The competition to attract drivers is heating up — and it’s about more than just convenience.

Charging a car takes anywhere from 10 to 50 minutes, which means EV drivers stick around longer than those making a quick pit stop. That changes everything. These customers are looking for more than just a coffee and a sausage roll. They want a better experience — one that makes the wait worth it.

So who’s next? Will gyms offer spin classes while your car charges? Will museums and galleries invite EV travelers in for a dose of culture? The possibilities are wide open when you’re no longer tied to an underground fuel tank.

Hotels, Don’t Get Left Behind

One of the things I miss most on long road trips is the ability to charge overnight at hotels. Imagine plugging in when you check in, and waking up to a fully charged car — no detours, no extra stops.

But right now, only a handful of hotels offer this. It’s time they caught up. Having to spend an extra hour at a public charger the next morning isn’t just annoying — it slows down the whole journey. Offering overnight charging wouldn’t just improve road trips; it would make life easier for all of us who travel long distances in EVs.

Healthy Eating — and Charging — on the Road

One last thing, and it's close to my heart: healthier food options while traveling. As someone who spends a lot of time on the road up north for work, I often struggle to find good, nutritious meals during charging stops. Sure, burgers and fries sell well — but that doesn’t mean they’re the only option we want.

Now that we don’t need to build massive underground tanks just to offer “fuel,” I urge businesses focused on healthy, nourishing food to join the charging game. The fast food chains already figured it out — when will you?

A Road Ahead That Works for Everyone

The shift to electric is about more than just vehicles — it’s about reshaping our entire travel experience. Charging takes longer than filling a tank, yes, but that opens up new opportunities: for better food, richer experiences, and smarter, more thoughtful services.

We’re ready. The only question is — who’s coming with us?

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