Charging Electric Cars in Iceland: Complete Guide

Iceland is one of the world’s leaders in renewable energy, making it a natural fit for electric vehicle travel. For visitors renting an electric car, charging in Iceland is not only straightforward—it is often easier than expected.

With a well-developed charging network and electric rentals from Saga Car Rental that include seamless charging access, travelling Iceland by EV is both practical and stress-free.

Every electric car rented from Saga Car Rental includes an E-One charging key. The key gives access to the entire E-One charging network, which connects multiple charging providers across Iceland.

Charging on the E-One network is included in the daily rental price. There is no need to download apps, create accounts or manage multiple payment methods—simply plug in and charge.

For charging outside the E-One network, travellers can register directly with the relevant charging provider and pay separately, ensuring flexibility even in more remote areas.

Iceland has an extensive and rapidly expanding charging infrastructure. Fast chargers are widely available along the Ring Road, in towns and near many of the country’s most popular attractions.

This makes it entirely possible to explore Iceland by electric car, from short city drives to multi-day road trips around the island.

Electric vehicles in Iceland use a small number of well-established charging standards. All electric cars rented from Saga Car Rental are equipped with a Type 2 charging connector, which is the European standard and fully compatible with Iceland’s public charging infrastructure.

• Type 2 AC (Level 2): The standard connector on all Saga Car Rental electric vehicles. Common in towns, hotels and accommodation areas, and ideal for overnight or longer charging stops.
• CCS (Combined Charging System): Used for fast charging on main routes and along the Ring Road. All Saga electric vehicles support CCS fast charging.
• CHAdeMO: An older fast-charging standard still found at some charging stations in Iceland. While some vehicles on the road use CHAdeMO, all Saga Car Rental electric vehicles use Type 2 and CCS connectors.

This ensures simple, reliable compatibility with the vast majority of charging stations across Iceland.

Charging stations are easy to find along Iceland’s main travel routes:

• Reykjavík and the capital region: A dense network of fast and slow chargers near hotels, shopping centres and service areas.
• Golden Circle: Charging available near major stops such as Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
• South Coast: Fast chargers in towns such as Selfoss and Vík, as well as near key attractions.
• Ring Road towns: Reliable charging in places like Akureyri, Egilsstaðir and Húsavík allows drivers to complete the full Ring Road with confidence.

Modern electric cars offer strong real-world range suitable for Icelandic distances. Cold weather, wind and elevation changes can reduce range, particularly in winter, so planning charging stops in advance is recommended.

Charging naturally fits into sightseeing breaks, meal stops and overnight stays, making EV travel feel effortless rather than restrictive.

• Charge opportunistically: Plug in whenever you stop for food, sightseeing or accommodation.
• Plan ahead in rural areas: Charging is widely available, but distances between stations can be longer outside main routes.
• Allow extra buffer in winter: Cold temperatures and strong winds can affect range.
• Follow charging etiquette: Move your vehicle once charging is complete to keep stations available for others.

Charging an electric rental car in Iceland is straightforward when travelling with Saga Car Rental. With charging included through the E-One network, a growing nationwide infrastructure and modern electric vehicles designed for Icelandic conditions, EV travel is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to explore the country.

Discover EV car hires in Iceland with our electric car rental guide