Climate change and environmental challenges define our time, and transportation choices play a significant role in the fight for a sustainable future. The car rental market in Norway is undergoing a green revolution, with an increasing range of eco-friendly options available to conscious consumers. From all-electric cars to hybrid models and innovative fuel solutions, there is now a wide range of choices for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint on the road. This development reflects not only a change in consumer preferences, but also a shift in the car rental industry's focus towards more sustainable business models.
Electric and Hybrid Car Rental Options in Norway
Norway has long been a pioneer in the adoption of electric vehicles, and this is now reflected in the car rental market. An increasing number of rental companies offer a wide range of electric and hybrid models, giving travelers the opportunity to choose environmentally friendly transportation options without compromising on comfort or performance.
Tesla Model 3 as a Popular Electric Car Rental Option
The Tesla Model 3 has quickly become a favorite among rental car customers seeking a premium electric driving experience. With its impressive range of up to 580 km (WLTP), advanced technology and sporty driving characteristics, the Model 3 offers a combination of environmental friendliness and luxury. Many rental companies report increased demand for this model, especially among business travelers and tourists who want to explore Norway in a sustainable way.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6: Long-Distance Electric Cars for Rent
For those planning longer trips, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 have become popular choices in the rental car market. These models offer impressive ranges of up to 481 km and 528 km (WLTP) respectively, and excel with their fast charging capabilities. With the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes at a 350 kW fast charger, these cars significantly reduce concerns about range anxiety.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: Versatile Hybrid Option for the Rental Market
For customers who prefer hybrid technology, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has established itself as a popular choice. This SUV combines a gasoline engine with an electric drive system, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions. The RAV4 Hybrid is particularly attractive to families and groups who need extra space and flexibility, while wanting to minimize their environmental impact.
The transition to electric and hybrid rental cars represents a significant opportunity to reduce transport-related emissions, especially in the tourism sector where travelers often cover long distances.
Sustainable Car Rental Companies in Norwegian Cities
Norwegian cities have seen the emergence of innovative, environmentally focused car rental companies that offer sustainable transportation solutions. These companies play an important role in promoting green mobility and reducing cities' carbon footprint.
Move About: 100% Electric Car Sharing in Oslo and Bergen
Move About has established itself as a pioneer in electric car sharing in Norway. With a fleet consisting exclusively of electric vehicles, the company offers a flexible and environmentally friendly transportation solution for both individuals and businesses in Oslo and Bergen. Their app-based system makes it easy for users to find, reserve and unlock cars, helping to reduce the need for private car ownership in cities.
Vy Bybil: Environmentally Friendly Short-Term Rental in Trondheim and Stavanger
Vy Bybil, an initiative from the state-owned transport company Vy, has introduced a fleet of electric cars for short-term rental in Trondheim and Stavanger. The service is designed to complement public transport and offer a seamless, environmentally friendly mobility experience for city residents and visitors. By integrating the car sharing service with other modes of transport, Vy Bybil helps to reduce dependence on private cars and promote more sustainable travel habits.
Hertz Green Collection: Focus on Low-Emission Vehicles Nationwide
As one of the largest traditional car rental companies in Norway, Hertz has taken significant steps towards sustainability through its Green Collection. This selection includes a range of electric, hybrid and low-emission vehicles available at rental stations across the country. Hertz's commitment to green alternatives makes it easier for travelers to choose environmentally friendly options, regardless of destination or itinerary in Norway.
Charging Infrastructure for Electric Rental Cars
One of the biggest challenges in renting electric cars has been concerns about charging, especially on longer journeys. Fortunately, Norway has made significant progress in the development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure, making it increasingly easy to choose electric rental cars.
Grønn Kontakt and Fortum Charge & Drive: Extensive Charging Network
Grønn Kontakt and Fortum Charge & Drive have established themselves as leading players in charging infrastructure in Norway. With a network of charging stations that extends across the country, these companies offer reliable charging options for electric rental cars. Many of these charging stations are strategically located along main roads and in city centers, making it easy for travelers to plan stops and charge along the way.
Tesla Supercharger Stations: Fast Charging for Tesla Renters
For those renting Tesla models, the exclusive network of Supercharger stations provides an added benefit. These fast charging stations, which are optimized for Tesla vehicles, offer extremely fast charging and are often located near popular travel routes and destinations. This network helps to make long-distance travel with electric rental cars more convenient and time-efficient.
IONITY: High-Power Charging Stations Along Norwegian Highways
IONITY, a collaboration between several major car manufacturers, has established a network of high-power charging stations along Norwegian highways. These stations offer charging capacity of up to 350 kW, enabling extremely fast charging for compatible electric vehicles. For renters of modern electric cars such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6, this means that charging stops can be reduced to as little as 15-20 minutes , making long-distance travel with electric rental cars more convenient than ever before.
The development of charging infrastructure in Norway has been crucial to increasing the attractiveness and practicality of electric rental cars, and has helped to reduce so-called "range anxiety" among users.
Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Technologies in Rental Car Fleets
Rental car companies in Norway are constantly expanding their range of environmentally friendly vehicles, and now include several innovative technologies to meet different customer preferences and travel needs.
Hydrogen-Electric Vehicles: Toyota Mirai as a Forward-Looking Rental Option
Hydrogen-electric vehicles represent an exciting new frontier in green mobility. The Toyota Mirai, one of the first commercially available hydrogen cars, is now beginning to appear in some rental car fleets in Norway. These vehicles combine the benefits of electric operation with rapid hydrogen refueling, providing a range and refueling time comparable to conventional cars . For renters who want to explore this groundbreaking technology, the Mirai offers a unique and environmentally friendly driving experience.
Plug-In Hybrids: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for Flexible Rental
Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) have become a popular choice in the rental car market, and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is one of the most sought-after models. This SUV offers the flexibility of a gasoline engine combined with the possibility of pure electric driving over shorter distances. For renters who want to combine environmental friendliness with the versatility of a larger car, especially for trips involving both city and highway driving, the Outlander PHEV is an attractive option.
Biodiesel-Compatible Vehicles: Volvo V60 with FlexiFuel Technology
Some rental car companies also offer vehicles that are compatible with biodiesel, such as the Volvo V60 with FlexiFuel technology. These cars can run on both regular gasoline and E85 bioethanol, giving renters the opportunity to choose a more environmentally friendly fuel option where it is available. Although the availability of E85 is limited in Norway, this technology represents an interesting alternative for those seeking to reduce their carbon footprint without fully transitioning to electric operation .
Economic Incentives for Green Car Rental Choices
To promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles, Norwegian authorities have implemented a number of economic incentives that also benefit rental car customers. These incentives make it not only more environmentally friendly, but often also more economically advantageous to choose green rental car options.
Reduced Toll Rates for Zero-Emission Vehicles
One of the most noticeable benefits for renters of electric cars is the reduced toll rates. In many Norwegian cities and on highways, electric cars enjoy significantly lower toll rates, and in some cases completely free passage . For renters planning trips involving multiple toll crossings, this can result in significant savings, especially on longer trips or when driving in and around major cities.
Free Parking in City Centers for Electric Rental Cars
Many Norwegian cities offer free parking for electric vehicles in central areas. This incentive can be particularly attractive for renters planning city visits or business trips, where parking costs can otherwise be a significant expense. It is important to note that the rules may vary between different municipalities, and in some places you are required to pay for the parking time itself, but do not have to pay for the electricity when charging.
Tax Benefits When Renting Environmentally Friendly Company Cars
For companies and self-employed individuals who rent cars for business purposes, choosing environmentally friendly options can result in significant tax benefits. Norwegian tax authorities offer more favorable calculation of company car taxation for zero-emission vehicles, which can result in a lower taxable benefit for employees who use rental cars as company cars. This incentive makes it more attractive for companies to choose green rental car options for their employees and assignments.
These economic incentives, combined with the ever-improving range and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, make the choice of environmentally friendly rental car options increasingly attractive, both from an environmental and economic perspective. This shift in incentives and technology supports Norway's ambitious goal of phasing out sales of new fossil-fueled cars by 2025, and reflects a broader societal movement towards more sustainable transportation solutions.