In cold weather, the energy required to heat the vehicle’s interior can negatively impact EV range. Ford claims its engineers have found a solution — for delivery vehicles at least.
As part of a research project with the European Commission, Ford engineers equipped the E-Transit delivery truck with heated armrests, floor mats, door panels and sunshades, as well as a sun visor. heated dashboard below the steering wheel, the automaker explained in a statement. Press Release. The engineers found that this method of heating the surface could extend the operating range compared to the conventional method of blowing hot air into the car’s cabin.
Ford E-Transit with experimental heated interior surface
Both heating methods require battery power, but engineers found that heating a surface instead of air reduces energy consumption by 13%, which the automaker claims is equivalent to 5% increase in range based on real-world charging patterns.
According to Ford, the test involved deliveries in and around Cologne, Germany in the summer and winter, on dry and wet roads as well as in heavy rain and wind. The automaker notes that the delivery service also means that doors and windows are kept open frequently, meaning that heat generated through the climate control system is lost more quickly in cold weather, while heated surfaces tend to stay warm.
Ford E-Transit with experimental heated interior surface
While it can’t be compared exactly with passenger car life cycles, data from the test can be integrated into range computers used by commercial fleets to improve accuracy.
The automaker is also testing other energy-saving features, including: a heat exchanger that uses the water heat from the transmission to heat the vehicle’s interior and/or battery pack, a cooling system battery and “smart fast charge” for the battery first. conditioning, eco-routing to maximize range takes into account charging stops, and a powertrain conditioning function that optimizes temperatures for maximum efficiency.
Ford E-Transit with experimental heated interior surface
Driven by the need to reduce the reduced range in cold weather caused by heating, engineers at other automakers and suppliers have come up with a range of solutions—Includes heated seat belt. BMW also infrared heat testwill be targeted to surfaces and even occupants without heating the air in between.
Other automakers have seen heat pumps as a positive solution to the cold-weather range — in most cases, far beyond the added complexity. Tesla are now putting them in its vehicles, and General Motors says the heat pumps in its electric vehicles can give them a real-world scope advantage.
