The complete CO2 calculation of a road trip in Norway.

In this blog post, we embark on an eco-friendly adventure, exploring the wonders of Norway on a 6-week road trip in a fully electric car. Our goal is to shed light on the environmental, time, and cost differences between this electrifying journey and the conventional option of flying. Our study centers around a roundtrip experience through the stunning landscapes of Norway..

Disclaimer!
Before we delve into our findings, it’s crucial to note that this is not an exhaustive scientific study but a valuable exploration of sustainable travel. Our methodology may have some uncertainties and limitations, and it does not encompass all variables such as weather, car weight, passenger numbers on flights, and variations in airplane efficiency. We rely on online calculation services that utilize general and average data, which also have their own limitations and uncertainties. Additionally, it’s essential to remember that CO2 emissions are not the sole greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles and aircraft. This study focuses exclusively on CO2 emissions. Therefore, we urge you to perceive this post as a concept rather than an absolute fact, offering insights into the differences in cost, time, and CO2 emissions between flying and driving in a fully electric car across Norway.

CO₂

Transportation

To start, let’s examine the CO2 emissions of two people traveling from Copenhagen to Malaga and back in a large petrol plug-in hybrid car and an airplane. The road trip in the plug-in hybrid car emits 0.46 tons of CO2, while the airplane journey results in 1.37 tons of CO2 emissions.

Hotel

During our road trip through Norway, we made several stops and stayed at hotels for a total of 12 nights. To provide a holistic view of CO2 emissions, we include these 12 hotel nights in our calculation. While this number is based on the accepted standard of carbon footprint calculation, it can vary in reality. Hotel stays during a road trip contribute 373.2 kg of CO2 emissions. In contrast, if you choose to fly, you’ll likely arrive on the same day without hotel stays.

Time

Now, let’s consider the time spent on these journeys. Driving in an electric car from Copenhagen to Malaga and back would take around 60 hours, while the airplane journey would only take approximately 8 hours. This calculation is specific to the actual travel time and does not account for breaks, check-in, boarding, or airport waiting time.

Price

Now, let’s break down the cost of these journeys. We’ve factored in the expenses for 12 hotel stays and three meals per day for 12 days during the road trip. The flight ticket cost is based on the most economical option, without extras like checked luggage or seat reservations. Car rental expenses are not included in this calculation. We’ve estimated the average cost of a meal to be 6.8€ during road trips, though this figure is subjective and can vary depending on your lifestyle.

Summary and conclusion

In conclusion, our study reveals that embarking on a road trip in a fully electric car across Norway emits nearly half as much CO2 as flying the same distance. This surprising finding underscores the environmental benefits of road trips, although they do require more time and come at a higher cost.

Our Thoughts on This Opting for a road trip in a fully electric car offers numerous advantages, such as flexibility and the opportunity to explore along the way. It transforms travel into an integral part of your vacation, allowing you to discover countless attractions en route to your destination. You can stay wherever you desire for as long as you like. For instance, we fell in love with the charms of Paris and San Sebastian, so we decided to spend a few days in each of these captivating cities.

Arguably, time is one of the most precious resources in this century. Many readers may be thinking, “A few nights in Paris, savoring wine in Montmartre, and then a few days enjoying tapas and watching surfers in San Sebastian sound incredible, but who has the time?” You may believe you only have about five weeks of vacation each year (if you’re fortunate to be Scandinavian) and don’t want to spend them in a car. However, it’s all about your perspective. If you see the road trip not just as transportation but as an integral part of your holiday, you won’t consider time spent on the road as wasted. Suddenly, you’re exploring how the landscape, architecture, people, and cuisine change with every passing moment of your journey.

A significant concern highlighted in this study is the cost difference. We believe that many individuals are eager to make more sustainable travel choices, but it can be challenging when the most eco-friendly option is considerably more expensive, especially for young travelers. We stand with you on this issue. The travel industry must evolve to make sustainable travel more affordable. We’ve personally adjusted our mission to fly only once a year to send a message to the airline and fuel industry giants. By reducing the demand for flights, we hope to encourage more investment in alternative fuel sources, allowing us to fly in a more sustainable and affordable manner.

Travel Cost, Time, and CO2 Emission on Weekend Getaways from Copenhagen to Berlin or Paris If a road trip through Norway seems too ambitious, we’ve prepared two examples of weekend getaways from Copenhagen to Berlin and Copenhagen to Paris, each including the environmental, time, and cost factors. We also introduce train travel as an option. These calculations are based on the same calculation services as used in our previous study. Hotel stays and meals are not included in these calculations, nor are car rental expenses. We’ve chosen the cheapest flight options without any additional costs.

Copenhagen – Berlin

Copenhagen – Paris