Europe at your fingertips: making travel simple with your EV charge card

If you're used to driving your electric car (EV) in the Netherlands, you know how easy it is. With great infrastructure and public chargers everywhere, it's something you quickly stop thinking about. But as you venture further into Europe, you'll find the landscape changes, and that patchwork of infrastructure can make holiday planning feel a little more daunting.

It all leads to the big question: how do you choose the right charge card for a seamless trip? This is where we can help. With a little smart planning and your E-Flux charge card, which is often highlighted as one of the best charge cards for Europe, you're covered. Paired with the E-Flux by Road app, it unlocks a network of more than 800,000 charge points for your holiday, letting you travel without the stress.

So, whether you're in the planning stages or already packing the car, we’ve gathered all the country by country information you need to ensure your trip is as smooth as possible.

Your guide to charging in France

On the surface, the French EV network looks impressive, with over 160,000 charge points and still growing. However, a successful road trip here requires a bit of planning. The reality is that over 70% of these are slower chargers (22 kW or less), ideal for overnight stops, while the super-fast chargers (>150 kW) you want for quick stops make up only about 4%.

The secret to saving time on the road is to use the E-Flux app to pinpoint the ultra-fast chargers along your route. Having a dependable charge card is key, and with its broad network acceptance, the E-Flux card is the perfect travel companion for your EV, allowing you to continue your journey with complete peace of mind.

Navigating Germany with your charge card

For Dutch EV drivers crossing into Germany, a large charging network of around 160,000 public points awaits as of early 2025. But it's a country of different scale; the density of chargers is lower than you're used to back home (1.89 per 1,000 people versus over 10 per 1,000). The good news is that Germany went on a major expansion spree in 2024, leading Europe in new DC fast chargers. This means you’ll find plenty of high-power charging, especially on the Autobahn and in cities.

Still, once you venture off the main arteries, you'll notice the fast-charger coverage isn't as complete as in the Netherlands. That's why careful planning with a tool like the E-Flux app is key. If you’re heading off the beaten track, maybe to find better charge card rates, make sure you have your charging card map handy to travel with confidence.

Your charging guide to Belgium

Belgium's EV charging infrastructure is on the rise, offering around 80,000 public charge points. The country boasts a high density of chargers for its size, at 6.54 per 1,000 people, it's ahead of Germany, though not yet at the level of the Netherlands or Norway. Its fast-charger network is also expanding, with over 3,000 units ready to give you about 160 km of range in just 20-60 minutes, all at prices similar to what you'd pay back home.

You'll find excellent coverage along the motorways and in busy areas. However, if your journey takes you to more rural parts of the country, a little forward planning with a charging app is a wise move. It’s the best way to guarantee you can use your charge card whenever you need it and enjoy a truly relaxed trip.

Your charge card guide to Austria

Austria's growing network of over 20,000 public chargers makes it a fantastic destination for an EV trip, easily getting you to popular ski regions like Tyrol and Salzburgerland, especially with the well-placed fast chargers on key routes.

You'll find hundreds of ultra-fast chargers ready for you, but remember the golden rule of alpine driving: cold temperatures will impact your battery's range, so planning with the E-Flux app is non-negotiable.

The good news is that many ski resorts provide AC chargers for convenient overnight top-ups. While long journeys on main roads are perfectly doable, be smart about mountain driving. Distances between fast chargers can be greater, so always plan ahead and keep a healthy buffer on your battery.

Your charging guide to Denmark

For Dutch EV drivers heading to Denmark, a growing network of over 17,000 public chargers awaits.

While it may not yet have the density you're used to at home, the network is rapidly improving where it matters most. You’ll find more and more fast (50kW+) and ultra-fast (150kW+) chargers popping up along the motorways, making a road trip a smooth experience. Companies like Fastned and PowerGo are leading the charge; Fastned, for instance, is planning several stations with powerful 400 kW chargers, with the first sites expected to be up and running by mid-2025.

It’s clear that Denmark is committed to expanding its network, especially with fast chargers. The government is actively promoting electric driving, paving the way for a huge increase in EVs and the infrastructure to support them.

Your charge card guide to Norway

When it comes to the perfect EV road trip, Norway is arguably Europe's top destination. With nearly 90% of all new cars being electric and a vast, constantly expanding charging network (over 27,000 public points, which works out to 447 per 100,000 people), it’s a true paradise for electric drivers. This robust network means you can leave range anxiety behind and charge up whenever and wherever you need to.

But the advantages don't stop there. In Norway, EV drivers are treated to fantastic perks like free parking, cheaper tolls, and access to bus lanes, making the driving experience both relaxing and economical. (Pro-tip: always check the latest local rules for these benefits and confirm if your E-Flux charge card is compatible for any registration needed to access them.)

Your charging guide to Sweden

An electric road trip from the Netherlands all the way to Sweden is more than just possible, it's a fantastic journey, made easier by Sweden's impressive network of over 30,000 charge points. You'll find that the main motorways, like the E4 and E6, are well-equipped with an abundance of fast (50kW+) and ultra-fast (150kW+) chargers, usually spaced every 60-100 km. While the number of chargers per EV might not be quite what you're used to at home, the overall infrastructure is robust and reliable.

Your charge card guide to Italy

Italy's charging network for electric cars is expanding quickly, boasting over 65,000 public charge points at the start of 2025. While it's true that most are concentrated in the north, you'll find that getting a charge is usually not a problem. The country has seen a huge boost in fast and ultra-fast chargers (now over 15,000), especially along the motorways where nearly half of all service stations offer powerful DC charging.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that while finding a charger is one thing, paying for it can be another, as payment methods can differ from one place to the next.

Your charging guide to Spain

Spain's charging network for electric cars is on the rise, now offering more than 46,000 public charge points. This makes exploring the country by EV easier than ever, though you'll still find the best coverage in cities and along the main routes. The good news is that Spain is focused on building out its fast-charging network, especially on the motorways. Although the current count is around 4,000 fast chargers, the recent progress is promising: a large number of new chargers installed in the first quarter of 2025 were powerful, high-speed units, showing a clear ambition for the future.

Charge like a pro: your ultimate holiday tips & tricks

No matter where your journey takes you this holiday season, a few universal truths will make your electric car adventure a success.

1. Sort your charge card early. Don't leave it to the last minute. The E-Flux charge card is one you can conveniently order online ahead of time.

2. Avoid the "energy rush hour." To get the best speeds and skip the queues, try to avoid charging during peak times, which are usually between 6 PM and 8 PM.

3. Be strategic with fast chargers. A well-planned route with smart stops at DC fast chargers is the key to a smooth trip. The charging map in the E-Flux app is your best friend for finding the nearest available spots.

4. Book accommodation with charging. When planning overnight stays, make it a priority to find hotels or rentals with their own AC charge points for guests. The E-Flux by Road app makes spotting these easy.

5. Plan to beat range anxiety. The best cure for range anxiety is a good plan. Map out your route and charging stops before you set off for a worry-free drive.

6. Keep a 20% buffer. Stay relaxed and confident by keeping your battery level above 20%. It’s the perfect safety net to ensure you can reach the next charger without any stress.

7. Stick with a universal card. While you can sometimes charge without a specific card, using a universal charge card from a provider like E-Flux is almost always easier. It can offer better rates and guarantees access to a much wider network, saving you the headache of checking for compatibility on the road.

Please note: All statistics are correct at the time of publication, May 2025.