Planning is everything: choose charge-friendly stops, use planning apps and always have a backup plan. The mountain roads are quite possible for electric cars even in winter — and the trip can be part of the adventure.
Of course, you can ride an electric car to the mountains on sports holidays. You just have to plan a little smart. With the right approach, it will be a fun, safe and almost as fast trip as in summer. Here we guide you along the most important winter routes — from Stockholm via the E4 and from Gothenburg/southern Sweden on the E45 and E16. We have collected the pro tips so that you will avoid the stress of charging when there are many people traveling against the snow.
As Sweden's largest charging operator with over 60,000 charging points ChargeNode long experience in winter charging and destination charging at mountain facilities. Here we share our best tips for the sports holiday trip.
Winter cold reduces range considerably, often 15— 30%. Add extra margin and plan more charging stops than in summer.
Preheat the car and battery before the charging peak — this provides faster charging and better comfort.
Gothenburg — Sälen/Branäs/Idre
Route: E45 via Trollhättan—Karlstad—Sunne—Torsby, then E16/E45 towards the mountains.
Trollhättan: Many fast chargers and Tesla Supercharger.
Karlstad: Several charging stations centrally and at the E18/E45 exits.
Sunne: Lunch break and fast charger — perfect family stop.
Torsby: Tesla Supercharger and Fast Charger. Feel free to charge here to avoid Malung queues on change day.
Sysslebäck/Långberget: Many destinations have their own chargers -- check in advance.
Sälen/Branäs/Idre: Almost all major properties today offer destination charging, often via ChargeNode — Sweden's largest charging operator with over 60,000 charging points — or via other destination charging.
• Avoid charging in Malung on exchange days — choose Torsby or charging at the destination.
• Combine the charging peak with lunch, walk or playground.
• Charge to 70-80% if queued — it's significantly faster.
Stockholm — Vemdalen/Funäsdalen/Åre
Route: E4 northbound via Uppsala—Gävle—Hudiksvall—Sundsvall.
Uppsala: Multiple charging options along the way.
Gävle: Fast charger at Gävle Bridge as well as service and restaurants.
Hudiksvall: Fast charger close to E4 and good food options.
Ljusdal/Ytterhogdal: Important stop before the mountain roads.
Sveg: During the sports holidays, the charging capacity is sometimes increased.
Sundsvall/Östersund: Plenty of fast chargers and good range of restaurants.
Destination: Most major mountain resorts offer destination charging at hotels and lodge areas, often via ChargeNode or another local solution.
Stockholm — Sälen
Route: Enköping → Sala → Avesta → Borlänge → Malung → Sälen.
Enkoping: Fast chargers near both E18 and downtown.
Hall: Fast charger centrally along Route 70.
Avesta: Several fast chargers near the main road.
Borlange: Plenty of fast chargers and Tesla Supercharger. Perfect to fill up before the mountain.
Malung: Tesla Supercharger and Fast Charger. Popular charging stop and risk of queues on change days.
Sälen area: Most facilities and cottage villages have destination chargers, often through ChargeNode or another local solution. Own type 2 cable is often required.
Malung is known for queues on exchange days — rather charge in Borlänge or at your mountain destination.
Several accommodations have destination charging — check in advance.
Mora is a good alternative charging stop — here is the Tesla Supercharger and fast charger.
Tesla drivers: Supercharger is available in Borlänge, Mora and Malung.
The large mountain resorts (Lindvallen, Hundfjället, Tandådalen, Kläppen, Stöten) have plenty of destination chargers, often administered by ChargeNode or other local operators. Start charging via app or RFID — and never charge in engine heater sockets.
• Make sure to charge well in advance of the mountain road.
• Have at least 25-30% left when you reach the mountains — it may be full on arrival.
• Charge the night before returning home to avoid queues.
• Plan your trip live in apps like ABRP, ChargeFinder or ChargeNode.
• Always carry a Type 2 cable.
• Run economically in the cold for better range.
• Take advantage of the breaks — walk, coffee, shop.
• Charge at every stop — even short peaks help you get ahead.
Most charging stations accept ApplePay/GooglePay, RFID, or app (e.g. ChargeNode, Tesla).
Card requirements are imposed on fast chargers over 50 kW according to AFIR, but have APP/RFID as backup.
Travelling to the mountains by electric car in winter is all about smart planning and taking advantage of the charging possibilities along the way and at the destination. Want to delve into how to maximize range and get faster charging when temperatures drop?
👉 Read our guide: How to charge your electric car when it's cold — full of practical tips to make winter travel even safer.
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