Bergen, January 20, 2026 — The Norwegian Competition Authority said publishing electric vehicle charging prices must help consumers make informed choices without limiting competition, as Norway considers legislation to implement the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
In a hearing response to the Ministry of Transport’s proposal for a new law on infrastructure for alternative fuels, the authority warned that certain forms of price disclosure could make it easier for charging operators to monitor each other, increasing the risk of reduced competition to the detriment of consumers.
AFIR requires contactless card payments to be available on all new fast chargers, older fast chargers along certain main routes and hydrogen refuelling stations. The ministry is also seeking input on possible Norway-specific rules that would require contactless card payments on all older charging stations and on new normal chargers.
The authority said there are clear advantages to card payments, but cautioned that imposing additional requirements could raise operators’ costs, potentially leading to higher charging prices and fewer charging stations over time.
“There are many advantages to card payment. At the same time, a requirement for card payment can increase operators’ costs, which in turn can lead to more expensive charging and fewer charging stations,” division director Marita Mæland Skjæveland said. The authority recommended instead adopting general requirements, including security and user-friendliness, suggesting that a QR code at the station could provide access to secure mobile payments.
AFIR also requires companies offering EV charging and alternative fuel refuelling to make price data for drop-in charging and refuelling available through a national database. The authority said solutions that help consumers compare prices are positive, but stressed that the design must avoid sharing information in ways that could weaken competition.
The authority said the database should be operated by a neutral party that does not itself sell services in the market to ensure fair access to information.
Source: https://konkurransetilsynet.no/publisering-av-ladepriser-ma-ikke-skade-konkurransen/
