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EV Charging in Iceland: The Complete Guide

Updated April 2026

Iceland is one of the best countries in the world for electric vehicles. Cheap electricity, a growing charging network, and short distances between towns make it ideal for EV road trips. Here's everything you need to know.

Overview

Iceland has over 140 public EV charging stations spread across the country, operated by 7 different networks. The charging infrastructure has grown rapidly in recent years, and you can now drive the entire Ring Road (Route 1) in an electric car without range anxiety.

Nearly 100% of Iceland's electricity comes from renewable sources — geothermal and hydropower — making EV charging here truly zero-emission. Electricity is also significantly cheaper than petrol, so charging an EV costs a fraction of filling a tank.

The capital area (Reykjavik, Kopavogur, Hafnarfjordur) has the densest network of chargers, but stations are now available in every region of Iceland including the Westfjords, East Iceland, and the north.

Charging Networks

Tesla Superchargers

Tesla operates 13 Supercharger locations in Iceland with 250kW CCS2 connectors. All Tesla Superchargers in Iceland are open to non-Tesla vehicles. Stations are strategically placed along the Ring Road and major tourist routes. Payment is via the Tesla app.

ON Power

ON Power is Iceland's largest charging network with stations across the country. They offer both DC fast chargers (up to 225kW) and AC destination chargers (22kW). Payment is via the ON app or Electroverse. ON Power is owned by Orka Natturunnar, one of Iceland's major energy companies.

N1

N1 is Iceland's largest fuel station chain and also operates DC fast chargers at many of their locations, with power levels from 50kW to 400kW. This makes N1 stations convenient stops where you can charge your EV, grab food, and use restrooms. Payment is via card or the N1 app.

Orkan

Orkan operates Kempower fast chargers at their fuel stations, with some locations offering up to 600kW — among the fastest chargers in Iceland. Payment is via card or the eONE app. Orkan chargers are especially fast and are being rolled out at more locations across the country.

Isorka

Isorka operates DC fast chargers (50–240kW) at Olis fuel stations and other locations. Payment is via the Isorka app, Virta, or Plugsurfing.

InstaVolt

InstaVolt offers up to 160kW CCS charging with no app required — just tap your contactless card or Apple Pay. Simple and tourist-friendly.

e1 (eONE)

e1 is a community charging network that includes stations from Bilorka, Orkusalan, Orkubu Vestfjarda, and Dagar. Payment is via the e1/eONE app.

Connector Types

There are three types of charging connectors used in Iceland:

CCS (Combined Charging System / CCS2)

The European DC fast charging standard. All modern EVs sold in Europe use CCS2. This is the connector you'll use at Tesla Superchargers, fast chargers, and most new installations. Power levels range from 50kW to 600kW.

CHAdeMO

An older DC fast charging standard primarily used by the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. CHAdeMO is being phased out in Europe, and fewer new stations include it. If you drive a Leaf, check that your planned stops have CHAdeMO before departing. Typically limited to 50kW.

Type 2 (Mennekes)

The standard European AC charging plug. Used for slower destination/overnight charging at hotels, workplaces, and parking lots. Power levels are typically 7–22kW. Every EV sold in Europe can use Type 2 AC charging.

Charging Costs

EV charging in Iceland is significantly cheaper than petrol. Typical costs as of 2026:

  • DC fast charging: 55–85 ISK/kWh (roughly $0.40–0.60 USD/kWh). A full charge for a typical EV (60 kWh battery) costs around 3,300–5,100 ISK ($24–37 USD).
  • AC destination charging: Often free at hotels, or 30–50 ISK/kWh at public stations.
  • Tesla Superchargers: Around 60–75 ISK/kWh depending on time of day.
  • For comparison: Filling a gas car costs roughly 12,000–15,000 ISK ($85–110 USD) — about 3–4x the cost of charging an EV for the same distance.

Most networks charge per kWh. Some older stations charge per minute, which can be more expensive for vehicles that charge slowly.

Driving the Ring Road by EV

The Ring Road (Route 1) is approximately 1,322 km around Iceland. As of 2026, it is fully drivable in an EV with charging stops every 100–200 km along the route.

Key tips for Ring Road EV trips:

  • The longest gap between chargers is in East Iceland — plan these stops carefully
  • Use the JuiceUp route planner to see all stations along your planned route
  • Most EVs with 300+ km range can complete the Ring Road comfortably with 5–7 charging stops
  • Charge to 80%+ before remote stretches in the East and North
  • In winter, expect 20–30% reduced range due to cold temperatures and heating use
  • Always have a backup plan — download offline maps and note the next 2 charging stops ahead

A typical Ring Road EV trip takes 5–7 days at a comfortable pace, with total charging costs of roughly 15,000–20,000 ISK ($110–145 USD) — compared to 40,000+ ISK in fuel costs for a gas car.

Renting an Electric Car in Iceland

Several car rental companies in Iceland now offer EVs, including:

  • Blue Car Rental — Tesla Model 3, Model Y
  • Lotus Car Rental — Various EV models
  • Lava Car Rental — Tesla and other EVs
  • Hertz Iceland — Select EV options

When renting an EV in Iceland, ask the rental company which charging apps you'll need. Most will provide instructions or pre-configured accounts. Tesla rentals can use the built-in Tesla navigation to find Superchargers.

EV rentals are typically 10–20% more expensive per day than comparable gas cars, but the fuel savings usually make up for it on longer trips.

Tips for EV Drivers in Iceland

  1. Download charging apps before you arrive. You'll likely need 2–3 apps depending on which networks you'll use. ON Power and N1 are the most essential.
  2. Pre-condition your battery. If your EV supports it, start heating the battery before you arrive at a fast charger. This dramatically improves charging speed, especially in cold weather.
  3. Charge while you explore. Many chargers are near tourist attractions, restaurants, or swimming pools. Use charging time productively.
  4. Don't rely on one network. Have accounts with at least ON Power and N1 for the best coverage. InstaVolt is great as a backup since it needs no app.
  5. Check charger availability. Some locations have only 1–2 charging points. If they're occupied, you may need to wait or drive to the next station.
  6. Keep your charging cable. For Type 2 AC charging, you often need to bring your own cable. DC fast chargers always have attached cables.

Winter EV Driving in Iceland

Winter driving in Iceland (November–March) presents additional challenges for EVs:

  • Reduced range: Expect 20–30% less range due to cold batteries and cabin heating. A car rated for 400 km may only achieve 280–320 km in winter.
  • Slower charging: Cold batteries charge more slowly. Pre-conditioning helps significantly.
  • Road closures: Mountain roads and highland passes close in winter. Check road.is for conditions before departing.
  • Shorter daylight: In December, you get only 4–5 hours of daylight. Plan charging stops during daylight hours when possible.
  • Studded tires: All rental cars should come with winter tires. Studded tires are legal November 1 – April 14.

Despite these challenges, many Icelanders drive EVs year-round. With proper planning, winter EV road trips are absolutely doable.

Use the JuiceUp interactive map to find charging stations, plan routes, and filter by network, connector type, and region. It's free and works on any device.