EVs in extreme cold — the huge impact of a home charger

Winter is the toughest test for any electric car. The cold drains more energy, the battery takes longer to charge, and range shrinks. But there's one simple trick that makes an enormous difference: a home charger (laddbox). Elbilsmagasinet has tested how much a home charger affects energy consumption in Kiruna at minus 25 degrees — and the results are clear.

The test: Kiruna, minus 25 degrees

Elbilsmagasinet carried out the test in Kiruna under truly harsh winter conditions with temperatures down to minus 25 degrees. They compared energy consumption in two scenarios:

1. **With a home charger:** The car was plugged into a home charger overnight and pre-conditioned before departure

2. **Without a home charger (cold start):** The car stood outside unplugged and was started cold

The difference was striking. When the car was prepared via the home charger — with the battery and cabin pre-heated before departure — energy consumption dropped considerably. The battery was already at its optimal temperature and could deliver power without first having to warm itself up.

With a cold start, on the other hand, a large proportion of the energy went towards heating the battery, cabin and drivetrain before the car even began operating efficiently. This means not only higher consumption but also reduced range and slower charging at the next stop.

Why a home charger makes such a big difference

A home charger does more than just charge the battery:

This means an EV with 500 km WLTP range that normally drops to around 350 km in cold weather can instead stay closer to 400–420 km when properly prepared via a home charger.

What this means for privatleasing customers

If you're leasing an EV in Sweden — especially in central and northern Sweden — a home charger isn't an optional extra; it's a necessity. Yet home chargers are rarely included in the privatleasing agreement.

How to budget for a home charger

A home charger typically costs:

Budget for a total investment of **SEK 8,000–15,000** including installation. Spread over a three-year lease, that's SEK 220–420 per month — an investment that pays for itself through lower energy costs, better battery longevity and a warmer car in winter.

Tips for choosing the right home charger

1. **Choose at least 11 kW** — This ensures smooth overnight charging even with a large battery

2. **Smart charger** — Ability to schedule charging times and pre-conditioning via an app

3. **Load balancing** — Important if your home has a limited fuse rating

4. **Weather-resistant** — If the charger will be mounted outdoors, pick one rated for Nordic climates

5. **Check the ROT tax deduction** — Installation costs qualify for the Swedish ROT deduction (30%, max SEK 50,000)

Winter tyres and a home charger — the two most important add-ons

We've previously written about which privatleasing deals include winter tyres. The combination of winter tyres and a home charger is the single most important investment you can make as an EV lessee in Sweden. Winter tyres give you grip; a home charger gives you range and comfort.

If your privatleasing deal doesn't include these, you should budget for:

It may sound like a lot, but spread over three years it's SEK 360–830 per month — and the savings in lower energy consumption and avoided problems will pay back a large part.

Conclusion: The home charger is your EV's best friend in winter

Elbilsmagasinet's test in Kiruna clearly shows that the difference between a prepared EV and a cold-started EV is enormous in a Swedish winter. A home charger is the single most important investment you can make beyond the car itself.

Watch the full test in Elbilsmagasinet's video above for detailed consumption figures and practical tips for winter driving with an EV.