The pink Crystal Sauna in Skellefteå, Sweden, resembles a lithium crystal encased in mirrors. Its titanium-coated panels reflect the sky while drawing power from an unusual source: electric vehicle batteries.
Constructed on a former industrial site in Ursviken, the sauna was initially part of Society EXPO 2026 but now functions as a permanent installation owned by the municipality of Skellefteå and can be booked regularly. The exterior features 280 prisms clad in pink mirrored panels, 140 laser-cut metal plates, and 3,500 screws. Inside, the design contrasts futuristic elements with primitive ones—a wood-fired stove occupies a cave-like space, connecting humanity’s earliest use of fire to modern battery technology.
Powering the sauna with an EV battery
Skellefteå Kraft, the local energy provider, is testing bidirectional charging through its “Vehicle-to-Sauna” initiative. The system allows an electric vehicle’s battery to supply power to the Crystal Sauna and the surrounding park. Stationary batteries can also provide energy when required.
The setup demonstrates how traction batteries, usually reserved for driving, can return electricity to other systems. Here, the car serves as a mobile power source rather than just a consumer. The initiators describe it as the world’s first battery-powered sauna. Its broader goal is showcasing how EVs could support energy grids or buildings when not in use.
Bidirectional charging has existed for years, with applications like Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) already in limited deployment. Some automakers, including BMW, offer owners of compatible models financial incentives for feeding power back into the grid. However, adoption remains slow due to inconsistent standards, proprietary systems, and regulatory barriers, particularly in countries like Germany.
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The sauna’s distinctive appearance doesn’t address these challenges, but it makes the technology more visible. Most discussions about bidirectional charging occur in technical reports or corporate meetings. This project makes the concept tangible: a car powering a sauna, an application far removed from transportation.
Why a sauna?
The project’s unusual nature contributes to its appeal. A sauna provides a low-risk, high-profile way to test the technology. It doesn’t demand the same reliability as powering critical infrastructure, yet it still proves the system works. The installation also aligns with Skellefteå’s history—northern Sweden has frequently experimented with alternative energy, including wind farms and hydrogen projects.
Currently, the sauna operates as a public booking. Visitors can experience the space while the energy provider collects performance data. The true test, however, isn’t technical feasibility. It’s whether the idea gains traction elsewhere. If a pink sauna can generate interest in bidirectional charging, future demonstrations might not need such striking visuals.
The sauna’s design—equal parts art and experiment—reflects the current state of bidirectional charging. It functions but hasn’t entered widespread use. The technology exists, yet infrastructure and incentives remain incomplete. Still, the project hints at a future where cars serve purposes beyond transportation.