This Is What’s Happening to Gas Stations In The Electric Car Capital! The Rise Of Energy Stations

#Summary: This Is What’s Happening to Gas Stations In The Electric Car Capital! The Rise Of Energy Stations

In Oslo, Norway—where 50% of cars on the road are pure battery electric and 98% of new car sales are EVs—traditional gas stations are transforming into comprehensive “energy stations.” A Circle K location just outside Oslo on the E6 highway exemplifies this transition.

The site now features **32 EV charging points** prominently positioned where fuel pumps would traditionally stand, while maintaining just four gas pumps—a reversal of conventional layouts. The charging infrastructure includes state-of-the-art Kempower satellites delivering up to 400kW for 800-volt vehicles, supported by 600kW power cabinets with silicon carbide technology offering 25kW granularity for efficient power distribution.

**Key features of the modern energy station:**

– Charging under canopy protection (like traditional fuel pumps)
– Familiar pull-through parking—no reversing required
– Accommodation for large vehicles, vans, and trailers
– Integration with existing amenities: convenience store, bathrooms, car wash facilities, vacuum stations, and extensive window washer fluid supplies

The site uses distributed charging architecture, eliminating queues by allowing multiple vehicles to charge simultaneously, even if at reduced individual power levels during peak times. Charging costs approximately 6 NOK per kWh (roughly $0.60/kWh), significantly cheaper than gasoline at around $7 per gallon.

Adjacent McDonald’s locations have also adapted, featuring numbered charging bays with app-based food delivery to cars while charging. This transformation demonstrates how Norway’s high EV adoption has fundamentally reshaped transport infrastructure, with “energy stations” becoming the new normal.