We Are In The EV Capital Of The World! Arriving In Norway And Trying To Activate Chargers

Join Kyle and Alyssa as they cruise around Oslo, Norway in the new ID buzz to see what fast charging networks they can activate being Americans.
We would really appreciate it if you subscribe to our channel! The more subscribers we have, the more awesome opportunities we will be able to bring to you!
Find all of our Amazon must-haves here:
www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
Kyle on Twitter: @itskyleconner
Kyle on Instagram: @Virtualkyle
For more behind the scenes content:
Twitter: @Out_of_Spec
Facebook: / outofspecreviews
Instagram: @OutofSpecReviews
Inquiries: [e-mail]
If you liked this video, we recommend checking out some of our other channels!
Out of Spec Motoring: / outofspecmotoring
Out of Spec Reviews: / outofspecreviews
#ev #charging #idbuzz

[@eckligt]

You'll be happy to learn that in the news in Norway just this week, it was announced that new legislation will be introduced that will require all charging stations to accept payment with normal credit or debit cards with no registration or app required.

[@Andre1980stavanger]

Regarding the road noise: Norway is known to have especially rought asphalt due to the use of studded tires in the winter. Bjørn mentions this in many of his videos.

[@MrStian78]

100% true!

[@kilipaki87oritahiti]

Also our roads suck compared to the rest of the world. Even Albanian has better roads than us, and we are one of the richest countries in the world, yet we can't make high quality roads lol.

[@Dan-fo9dk]

Nope.... It's opposite.... The rough asphalt are needed in order to give grip to NON-STUDDED winter tyres, when you have snow and ice conditions.

[@florianhaffner3910]

The ID Buzz is such a cool EV with so much character. Love it

[@thepab3072]

Too bad we will get a larger version than the European version. Also the price is going to be a lot higher than the ID4

[@Andre1980stavanger]

So nice to see you again in Norway! I am looking forwards to your videos from this trip. Loved your video on the ID.3, the car I own. Hope you have a good time while here! :)

[@ezpoppy55]

I love the Buzz too - and I’ve only seen it on KZbin! Thanks for feeding my voyeuristic needs, Kyle and Alissa!

[@markarnot5337]

Awesome to see you are in Oslo area and Drammen. Mer chargers were great on our trip in May, the more you charge cheaper it becomes and is all renewable energy

[@Ben311]

Just found your channel (I’m from Denmark) Nice to see how tourists get around with charging. I guess it would be the same “struggle” with apps and RFID if I would driv an EV in the US. We currently have a Tesla M3 and a Kia Niro EV and I love the fact the both are equipped with the CCS2 connector. We can use Tesla SC or any other Fast Charger with both cars.

[@selbyjohnson5986]

Great video! I love seeing Europe! I’m interested in the Buzz to replace my gas van but it depends on how the US version turns out.

[@danielruehrwein192]

So cool being able to review the Buzz in Norway.

[@73av8r5]

Incredible amount of chargers. As someone who drives an EV between Oklahoma and Texas this is a dream for me.

[@mtbphoto]

Hey Kyle, Just got back from a 1200 mile road trip in Norway, we rented a PHEV and it did not include a charging cable (Enterprise said the dealer doesn't provide them with the car) Only found one type 2 charger with a cord/handle to charge at. Everyone drives EV because you don't have to pay tolls and you can drive in the bus lane. Enjoy your road trip!

[@stianthomassen6693]

Cool to see you in Norway. Enjoy your stay. Soon it will be possible to pay with credit card all over Europe.

[@paolostubeyou]

Awesome to see non Teslas on superchargers working well. About the noise, I’m sure you are aware but the rough Norwegian tarmac is much more noisy than for example German…

[@bruceflyr7359]

Excellent information. Thank you.

[@felixklusener5530]

Fun fact: You get a better deal on Circle K with Elton compared to a drop-in customer with the Circle K app. While it's 7,89 NOK per kWh (~0,78 USD) with Circle K, it's 'only' 7,70 NOK (~0,76 USD) with Elton.

[@15bit62]

You came to norway in mid november to drive to the far north? Not the best time of year for it - less than 2 hours daylight at the north cape now. At least the weather forecast doesn't suggest snow, which could cause you serious trouble up north. As others have commented, the road surface here is very rough due to studded tyres. Don't conclude anything by comparing to your experience in the US. For reference, Mer is not government backed. No charging providers in norway are. It is owned by Statkraft, who are a government-owned company though. It is worth mentioning that all providers can access subsidies to put up chargers in remote areas.

[@tomingejosefsen]

I live 80km south of Nordkapp, and its way more than 2hrs of daylight right now. It will change quickly though, as tomorrow is the last day we see the sun until January 20th.

[@Evphonehome]

Very strange to see that Cirkle K and MER do not work with Plugsurfing because this is the go-to charge card in Europe. Good to learn this because planning to go to Norway next summer.

[@zon3884]

Kyle your like a kid on Christmas being able to charge in Norway. Love it man!

[@Fr0gn3R]

Welcome to Norway, have a nice to Nordkapp. Remember to mount on winter tires, snow is coming very soon.

[@tomingejosefsen]

Its here already😉

[@RichPym]

Great video. Would also be interesting to hear about the different charging costs across all of those brands

[@slijkhuis]

19:45 😂 FINALLY WINDSHIELD CLEANING!! Haha, I know, I was always complaining about that. Pro tip for you guys, most chargers here in Norway you all start with the app indeed. So most EV drivers here in Norway have 15 different apps on their phone. Pretty annoying. But yeah. Another tip to save money; if you are gonna use ionity alot these 2 weeks, get a 1 month subscription. Will save you quite alot.

[@jasonschlesinger5343]

Needing a phone or data, membership or an app to refuel/recharge a vehicle. This is a major barrier. You should only need cash/debit/credit only.

[@Gandalph93]

--

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

The wipers go out from the center on the Chrysler Town and Country from 2001-2007 at least.

[@Greybone62]

Also, at the Pontiac TransSport & siblings. I do think that the current Ford Transit Connect has wipers that moves from center to both A-pillars.

[@christianlarsen6747]

Great to have you back :)

[@dw4793]

I Bet they will change and light the back door handles..Good Catch!!

[@jarrodf_]

Fun fact: as of Nov 2022, EVs make up ~75% of Norway's new car sales, of which ~16% are Teslas. By comparison, EVs make up ~16% of California's new car sales, of which 75% are Teslas.

[@lpdude2005]

In october EV sales was 89% - new record.

[@selbyjohnson5986]

Wow that is very cool!

[@kdlange6052]

How much is electricity there and price differences between all the different companies? also do people typically charge at home also and what are their rates?

[@_mo09]

Some guys out from Germany drove a Tesla Model Y LR and in a Skoda Enyaq to the Nordkap. It will be probably fun to see you drive there.

[@ailivac]

Seeing a Tesla charger charge a non-Tesla vehicle is so weird... it's amazing what can happen in a place where the government can actually make and enforce regulations.

[@kruemelfelix]

This isn't Norway specific nor has it something to do with the government, Tesla has opened chargers in many countries in Europe. Tesla also needs to open those chargers as especially in the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region as those superchargers are literally completely empty due to the ridiculous pricing from Tesla. Many Model 3 and Y charge at other HPCs directly nearby as they are like 40% cheaper (48ct/kWh instead of 70-80ct/kWh at superchargers). I mean that doesn't mean other cars are charging there, but even if some that's still somewhat of a revenue for Tesla. Better than a completely empty location.

[@lorenzmuller4000]

@@kruemelfelix The EU made the CCS port mandatory for all cars, which is the reason why this is even possible. So yeah, it definitely has to do something with the government.

[@b127_1]

@@lorenzmuller4000 I don't think they have yet. Leaf is still on sale. Pretty sure they made a recommendation for it, just like the old micro USB agreement.

[@ailivac]

@@b127_1 all DC chargers in the EU are required to have a CCS connector, but I think they're still allowed to support others at the same time (so a charge station with both CCS and chademo plugs is fine). norway may have a similar rule but I'm not sure. however that does mean Tesla has to have the hardware for CCS at their superchargers already, and supporting other cars can't require more than a software update. they've teased about a similar program in the US earlier this year, but since their network here is all based on the proprietary connector I don't know if that's going to involve adding CCS cables, or making people purchase their own adapter, or what. but because they were never forced to use a vendor-agnostic standard (something companies rarely do without regulatory pressure), now they're going to need extra hardware one way or another.

[@b127_1]

@@ailivac Tesla is introducing CCS2 teslas in Taiwan, which uses CCS1, so I'm not expecting much. I would love to see CCS2 worldwide, but CCS1 and 2 in different regions is fine i guess. Hopefully someone persuades tesla to make CCS1 cars at some point.

[@Gh0stHack3r.]

Welcome to the Future, and enjoy the hospitality of Norway...

[@robert5008]

Thanks guys for taking us along for the ride. Just a thought Kyle would it be a good topic on your podcast or general interviews with charging company's on how to have customers connect with charging company's from around the world? With thousands of people daily flying from EU to the US how do they rent a EV and charge them during their trip? Why can't there be like a roaming charge like a phone service? Just a thought

[@brandenflasch]

Glad you’re shedding light on this important topic.

[@marcusrose5943]

Hi what are the chances we get a card that works on at least the big 3 Networks in NA

[@brandenflasch]

@@marcusrose5943 unlikely due to one of those 3.

[@marcusrose5943]

@@brandenflasch ugh I understand that's disappointing

[@brandenflasch]

@@marcusrose5943 2 of them already have roaming

[@southbirdsouthbird]

Just was in Norway for a month this spring. Impressed by all the electric cars around Oslo, which makes sense since Norway is rich, has abundant hydroelectric power plus lots of oil and gas to burn to make electricity, and people don't drive that far. The most electric friendly country in the world. . . But I noticed that in the more rural outskirts of civilization (Askerhus, Sogne, west coast in general) very few electrics were to be seen. Lots of Toyota etc. pickup trucks, actually. . . I can't say that all of your hassles in trying to simply charge your rental in Norway make me inclined to get the VW Buzz (or whatever they will call it in the U..S.) here in California, where I often drive 400-500 miles in a day. I'll keep my Subaru Outback and drive from San Francisco to San Diego with all my stuff non-stop on one tank of gas until the EV thing gets sorted out.

[@kilipaki87oritahiti]

This isn't really true... even out in the country side people now has electric cars. And Akershus is literally next to Oslo, I grew up there.

[@janolafonarheim2735]

E-tron is one of the most popular cars in Norway . E-golf and i3 is very hot 2hand cars . Have a good trip from Norway Askøy (Bergen)

[@wavesnowaves]

At 11:50 you drive about 300 meters from where I live :) Hope you enjoyed Norway!

[@erikdandanell1054]

Very smart👏 of you to do some "charging research" before the actual trip. Where it works to charge in practice is otherwise a pain.

[@robgrt]

Will the US version have a panoramic sun roof? or a regular sunroof?

[@Idbuzzpro]

Im still waiting for my cargo . I think it will come in january or february. Id buzz=awesome cars

[@ojeskog]

Enjoying seeing your Norwegian adventures. Will be heading over to Sweden tomorrow to pick up an EV rental. Hoping for something nice but fear a Niro-EV. As long as it's not Leaf+ with Chademo I'm OK 🤣. Charging as a visitor can be a bit interesting.... I very much appreciated MER letting us foreigners both download the app and register while at home. They will even bill you monthly and let you charge tons before actually charging your card. And even send you an RF ID home to you if you have the time for the post to arrive I seem to remember. I am well disappointed with CircleK. My choice of petrol station when driving gas cars over there. So far haven't even been able to get their app downloaded as not even allowed to see it in the app store even when in the country with my "foreign" phone. I am born a Swede but not living in Scandinavia since many years. Have been told on the chat that I should be able to activate the charger by scanning a qr code on the charger and inputting credit card details. We shall see. I just wish all chargers had a card reader and a pin pad. Not been able to rent an EV in the US yet but looking forward to that fun and games... As a European filling up with gas in the US has always been a bit of a faff. Pay at pump most times fail. But you know you'll always be able to fill up as long as you go inside and pre-pay.

[@Ifyoudonttakeitucantfakeit]

You mention the plastic tailgate but perhaps someone can explain why the id4 bonnet weighs the same as a baby elephant? Unless it balances out the rear motor I wonder why it couldn’t be plastic. Great video thank. Do you ever pass out because you forget to breath? I do just watchi 👍🏻

[@Idbuzzpro]

You should take a trip to Fredrikstad. 100km South from oslo

[@therealcdnuser]

I am just surprised that the back windows don’t open. I hope the US spec version does or i’ll have to buy something else.

[@Yanquetino]

Gotta hand it to Alyssa for being willing to hold the camera to record you. If I were in her passenger seat, I'd want to look at everything I could see around me in Norway.

[@cbatiau2528]

lol... it's a "work" trip... They're working when they're doing these videos... And they still get to see a lot of Norway (they've been there before, too)

[@0JEB0]

The most common EV in Norway is still Nissan Leaf, over 75.000 on the roads

[@gwaddles]

This explains the additional supercharger build out we are seeing across the US. But Europe seems to embrace EVs so much more - maybe because driving distances are shorter.

[@Kraakesolv]

I doubt they are much shorter tbh.

[@Dan-fo9dk]

You need some help with your geography "knowledge". USA isn't even close to the size of Europe.

[@milanzivanovic945]

Beautiful car would love to drive it as well as the NIO es8 and es7. Greetings from Serbia!

[@MV_96]

The silver color and light enterior fits the car really well 👍

[@kilipaki87oritahiti]

Btw “mer” actually means “more” in English, seeing that English and Norwegian are related languages as both are Germanic languages. English basically exists due to the Norwegian and Danish Vikings that invaded and colonized parts of Britain.

[@jeffh5903]

Why won’t VW offer that hitch as an option in the US market? They could change the end piece to be an open 2” square receiver so we could attach a bike rack or slide in a ball for trailer towing. They’ve offered it in Europe for quite some time. I’ll bet if they offered it as an option in the US it would be popular.

[@ramdynebix]

Probably because the EU hitch is different from US hitches

[@TesLatino]

I’m so glad you exist, my friend. As an “expert” I know a lot of “experts” but you are above and beyond anyone else I’ve personally met. So glad we’ve share stages twice. Good omen 🎉

[@philipweh]

Do you guys having a meetup in Oslo before you leave for the tesla roadtrip @outofspecsreview ?

[@andrejensen9002]

Welcome back 🙂👍

[@joemartino6976]

Love the Buzz but it looks better in two-tone paint.

[@teslatim78]

Out of Spec motor boating🤘🤘❤

[@oceans123]

Yo, Kyle, what color is your hoodie? My wife loves it!!! Keep-up the great work...😂

[@o00scorpion00o]

Crazy expensive, If I remember correctly I read somewhere it will cost around 65,000 Euro's here in Ireland, that's insane.

[@MrStian78]

It starts at 46.000 euros here in Norway.

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@MrStian78 There's no Irish price list yet but I read in a local paper that the cost was going to be around 65,000 in Ireland, we have higher tax on cars than most of Europe and the Buzz is not eligible for the tax rebate due to the cost, electrics over a certain cost do not get tax relief. I do believe that electrics should not be taxpayer funded any more because I think the car companies are keeping the costs high in order to gain from the taxpayer. Volkswagen have increased the cost of their ID range anyway, my tour 5 cost around 41,000 last October and now it costs around 5,000 Euro's more and VW are stripping equipment in order to keep the costs lower. My tour 5 came with no rear door speakers, I was astonished that a car costing 41,000 would have no rear door speakers but this is typical of the penny-pinching VW always engaged in.

[@baranguler1168]

I think with Elton app your covered in Norway and Scandinavia.

[@flyordieinafire]

Kyle's hair at midnight improves the look of testing chargers. 😅

[@Cjdergrosse]

Dang you missed Bjoern!! That would have been an awesome collaboration!

[@SamuraiTacos1]

i love the buzz

[@flattire707]

It is this confusion of apps and differing cards at different stations that will seriously hold back EV adoption. The average American ICE driver will see these problems and say, "forget it." I charge my M3LR at home so I feel immune to this confusion.

[@fineartz99]

Commendably fast/fun diverse charging functionality

[@Thinkcity]

In Norway you would have been covered with the Elton app.

[@pumpuppthevolume]

any type 3 discharge from the hotdogs :P

[@EddieLeal]

Towing would significantly reduce the range this vehicle could travel. Would have to make sure there were plenty of charging station on your planed travel path.

[@MrStian78]

No problem here in Norway

[@isaaclavoie]

Too bad they won't sell solid color Buzz in the US, that silver one looks rad.

[@IrenESorius]

The Buzz in silver,, 💖😋💖

[@DrKellieOwczarczak]

Now, I want to see it in Oslo Blue. 😏

[@MrStian78]

Only Porsche 😉

[@krisvandermeulen253]

Damn, I would have loved to see a collab with Bjorn - that would have been awesome !

[@paulg2923]

Am I going mad, or does the Mer app download bit play twice??

[@jamdoodles]

Charging in Europe seems effortless compared to the American experience.

[@pumpuppthevolume]

damn no wild Bjorn sightings

[@olio_benzina]

Is this the same Norway that exports large amounts of oil and gas?

[@KamleshMallick]

19:00 Why Do European charger apps not support American cards? What is the issue? What I did was get a European card and load Euros in it. Do that Before you land in the EU. That card works everywhere.

[@jank330]

thats to bad not meeting up with tesla bjorn he can surely can give tips on driving to arctic land.

[@Dan-fo9dk]

....except knowing about some ev-charges, his "knowledge" is crappy....specially about Norway and the Arctic..... At times I've been mind-blown how little that guy knows.... He's just a self proclaimed expertise is laughable.....

[@ToreHansen]

A saying in Norway, better to take a drink each hour, than stay in Drammen a hour...

[@EddieLeal]

5:45 Delivery on an electric scooter? That is one massive package he has secured to his back. Just cruising along like nothing. 😳😁

[@lpdude2005]

Oslo is full of them, its food-delivery

[@EddieLeal]

@@lpdude2005 😳Food? Fast food or groceries? Must have been a month of groceries in there.

[@tacosalaten3677]

@@EddieLeal its like uber eats. only they use scooters😄

[@EddieLeal]

@@tacosalaten3677 😁

[@lpdude2005]

@@EddieLeal Fast food, eksklusive dinners and groceries from all restaurants in Oslo. Its always a take home option. Foodora

[@syedhabbas1]

Any plans to meet Bjorn Nyland? It will be cool to see a colab between you 2.

[@USUG0]

as he mentioned, Bjorn fled to Thailand

[@pumpuppthevolume]

well yeah tesla chargers should work for everyone ....can u imagine mercedes specific gas stations that no one else can use

[@steveb.5617]

Could you have purchased a local Circle K gift card at Circle K and paid that way for your charge???

[@johnpoldo8817]

I hope the US version of Buzz is much more like previous VW Bus and NOT a USA minivan.

[@plushiie_]

Think the eu comission is working on standarising payments for all electric car chargers, hopefully it gets sorted out soon.

[@thewaygokid3135]

I notice your standing in front of the UGLY front end 😂

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

I hate charging ports or gas filling doors on the passenger side of a vehicle. I hope VW puts it on the drivers side of the US Version!

[@unclej3910]

My new Chevrolet Bolt EUV charging door is on the left front fender. It makes it easy to pull into a charging station.

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

@@unclej3910 other than weight, there is no reason there can’t be multiple ports on the front and the rear of a car. If plugging into both at the same time is a violation, I’m sure the charging contactor can lock out the second one so people can’t try faking the system and blow their batteries up double charging them!

[@flyordieinafire]

18:00 looped content for emphasis 😅

[@tiemeiscool123]

you said too the artic circle and the first thing i tought of was Tesla Bjorn 😂

[@JakesOnline]

Collab⚡

[@JakesOnline]

@@James_Ryan I met him at SpaceX. Didn't seem antisocial at all.

[@tomingejosefsen]

If they are only going to the Arctic Circle they are not even close to Nordkapp....

[@CandycaneBeyond]

Your driving on the right side?

[@binflydushy]

1:59 So your also starting using german words😂😂 Same as Tesla Björn

[@Josh-179]

Ironic that Norway's largest source of wealth is oil/gas exports while being the leader in EV adoption. A lot of that charging infrastructure was paid for by oil. 😋 People like to compare Norway's advanced EV lead to the US but it's not that difficult when the country is the size of one US state.

[@inquisitor4635]

And Norway's own electricity tends to be hydroelectric derived and not every place has that ability to utilize this type if natural resorce for their power needs.

[@Dan-fo9dk]

To your information is Norway 2900 km (1800 miles) end to end. Absolutely no single US stat is even close in distance.

[@SamuraiTacos1]

its pretty beasty 180 kilowatts

[@bdeithrick]

The Veefils don’t screem.

[@cupofkona]

I do despise road/cabin/wind noise...

[@diZrupt0r]

Welcome to Norway :)

[@Chobaca]

Needs editing at right before 18:20 kinda. Double clip

[@NutellaCrepe]

Man I really love the ID Buzz, but VW really dropped the ball with their current gen infotainment systems. It wouldn't hurt the car's prices all that much to use a more powerful SoC. Even the Intel Atom in the pre-Ryzen Teslas are way smoother and usable.

[@DishNetworkDealerNEO]

We’re you a fan of Chrysler Town and Country before 2008?

[@rud]

I think at this point it is easier to run into a Norse troll than running into Bjørn. I am starting to believe he is just part of the mythology in Norway.

[@brian.z6592]

I thought the world EV capital is China. As they have way more EV options than any other country, lowest EV price, and best highway charging/battery swapping system.

[@aeromtb2468]

the concept looked better

[@user-in3ry2lh4r]

BYD

[@infernovideo]

Found the easter egg @ 17:22 & 17:45