Heat pump in an electric car: is it worth the extra cost?
In winter, electric cars lose a fifth of their range on average. A heat pump recovers part of that, but not equally for everyone. We looked at the measurements, prices and calculations.
Okretaji · Analysis · 2 November 2026.
Every EV driver knows that first cold morning glance at the estimated range. The number is lower than in summer, and the reason isn't just a cold battery. A large share of energy goes towards cabin heating, because an electric motor produces almost no waste heat to warm passengers, unlike an internal combustion engine.
Manufacturers solve this in two ways: with a standard electric heater (PTC) or a heat pump. The latter option often costs around one thousand euros. The question is whether it is worth that much.
How it works: the same principle as air conditioning, just in reverse
A PTC heater works like a space heater: from 1 kWh of electricity you get roughly 1 kWh of heat. A heat pump doesn't produce heat, it moves it. It takes it from the outside air, and better systems also from the waste heat of the motor, electronics and battery. In mild cold, it thus yields 2 to 3 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity.
Hardware-wise, this is not a new system. The air conditioning unit is already a heat pump. Valves and exchangers are added so it can also work in the opposite direction. That is why it cools in summer and heats in winter.
How much range cars lose in winter
The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) drives current electric cars until empty on real roads every winter. In the 2025 test, temperatures were between −9 and +1 °C, and the cabin was heated to 21 °C. On average, cars travelled 18.7% less than their official WLTP range. None reached the WLTP figure.
Best, average and worst in test · −9 to +1 °C
Source: NAF, according to ÖAMTC. The difference between models depends on the entire thermal system and software, not just on whether the car has a heat pump.
How much range a heat pump recovers
Here, the figures are less spectacular than in the brochures. An overview of measurements published by Recurrent shows that cars with a heat pump at around −1 °C have 8 to 10 % more winter range than those with a PTC heater. In a comparison of two Tesla models, consumption in the cold increased by 26 % for the one with resistance heating and only 8 % for the one with a heat pump.
Various measurements and conditions · the colder it is, the smaller the gain
Source: Recurrent, research overview (Zhao et al., 2022.; NREL). Results depend on the model, speed, and driving cycle.
In the city, at low speed, heating accounts for a large share of total consumption, so the heat pump helps more. On the motorway, aerodynamic drag dominates and the percentage gain drops.
The technology also has teething troubles. Volkswagen refunded 285 euros to owners of the first ID.3 and ID.4 because the heat pump savings in severe cold had been overestimated by 10 to 20 %. At the same time, it lowered the option price from 1,250 to 990 euros.
How much it costs and who offers it as standard equipment
Some manufacturers, like Tesla, install the heat pump as standard. Elsewhere, it is an option costing roughly one thousand euros. Volkswagen no longer installs it as standard in the refreshed ID.3 Neo (2026.), but offers it as an extra (in Sweden 14,300 crowns). Explanation: most journeys are short, and a stronger PTC heater is sufficient if the cabin is warmed up while the car is plugged in.
Calculation: how much is actually saved
This is our estimate, not a measurement. We assumed that the heat pump saves about 0,75 kW of heating power during driving and that the average speed is 50 km/h. With 7,500 winter kilometres per year, that is about 110 kWh of electricity. With home charging, that is ten to twenty euros a year, and at fast chargers 40 to 100 euros. With home charging, the thousand-euro extra takes decades to pay back, and even with fast chargers the payback period is not shorter than ten years. Enter your own figures:
Estimate: average 50 km/h, saving 0,75 kW of heating power. About 0,15 €/kWh is home charging, 0,5–0,7 €/kWh fast chargers.
Money spent on electricity is therefore not the main argument. The real value of the heat pump lies in something else: up to ten percent more range on a long winter trip, which can mean one less charging stop. There is also comfort, because you can heat the cabin without constantly watching the range. And used electric car buyers are increasingly looking for this too.
Comment: who it pays off for
Get it
- You drive across the continent, Lika, or Gorski kotar
- You frequently go on long winter journeys
- You do not have a charger at home
- You plan to sell the car in 3–5 years
You can skip it
- You live on the coast with mild winters
- You mostly drive short city routes
- You charge at home
- You heat the cabin while the car is plugged in
A heat pump is not a magic wand, but neither is it a marketing gimmick. It is a thousand euros for a bit more range and peace of mind when it gets cold. Before buying, check the winter tests by NAF or ADAC for the specific model: a well-designed thermal system and software are worth more than a „heat pump” badge in the catalogue.
Sources
- ÖAMTC — NAF winter range test 2025.
- Recurrent — Heat pumps in EVs (overview of measurements and studies)
- Drive Tesla Canada — Volkswagen refunds money and lowers option price
- Vi Bilägare — ID.3 Neo without a standard heat pump
Measured data is stated alongside the source. The car diagram, range model and cost-effectiveness calculator are Okretaji estimates and serve for illustration.
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