Heat pumps in electric vehicles are significantly improving driving in cold weather.
Electric vehicles are improving their performance for winter driving.
Numerous electric vehicle manufacturers have widely used resistive heaters, which consume a lot of energy, to keep both the cabin and the battery warm during the winter season. However, heat pumps, which can reduce battery range loss in cold climates, are gaining popularity in electric vehicles. This development could benefit EV owners in the United States, especially with the low temperatures being experienced across much of the country this week.
A site dedicated to electric vehicle research has pointed out that heat pumps can improve range in sub-zero temperatures by 8 to 10 percent. This claim was confirmed by comparing the range of the 2020 models of the Model 3 and Model S, which do not have heat pumps, with the 2021 versions that do. According to the analyzed data, the Tesla Model X and the Audi E-Tron only lose between 11 and 13 percent of their range at 0 degrees Celsius, compared to driving them in optimal conditions of around 21 degrees Celsius, making them some of the best-equipped electric vehicles with heat pumps. However, it has been mentioned that these pumps are not as effective at temperatures below -9 degrees Celsius.
The functionality of a heat pump lies in its ability to efficiently transfer the heat generated by the vehicle to the cabin and other components. Similarly, gasoline cars have long used a heating core to transfer wasted thermal energy from their internal combustion engine to the vehicle's interior.
Heat pumps have started to be integrated into popular EV models like Tesla since 2021, and their inclusion is expected in other notable models, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E for the 2025 model year. Additionally, they are already present in several electric vehicles currently on the market, including the Polestar 2, Honda Prologue, Chevy Equinox EV, Kia EV6, Rivian, and some models of the Nissan Leaf since 2013. A complete list of EVs equipped with heat pumps can be consulted.
Older electric vehicles, which have smaller batteries and lack heat pumps, experience more noticeable range losses in cold climates. For example, a driver of a 2017 Ford Focus Electric experiences only 80 miles of range in extreme cold conditions with the resistive heaters turned off, and just 50 miles with them on. This could make the difference between being able to complete a full work trip without stops or needing to find a fast electric charging station.
Furthermore, some tips have been shared for handling electric vehicles in winter that can assist in difficult road situations. Recommendations include preconditioning the vehicle while it is plugged in before heading out and the need to clear snow more frequently, as it will not melt off the hood like it does in a gasoline car.
