Real story. I am an electric vehicle driver who likes comfort and warmth and who, for ecological reasons, had to revise his priorities a bit a few times during certain winters, not without regret…
To avoid losing my vehicle’s autonomy on the road due to the heating I was using and to be able to get home after work, I sometimes agreed to freeze my buttocks. Against my will.
It must be admitted that in winter, an electric motor can hardly suffice to heat a passenger compartment with a traditional heating system. Anyone who drove the first hybrid or electric cars knows what I’m talking about. With the short autonomy per recharge that we were given, I am not the only one to have sacrificed the warmth of his cabin in cold weather.
The logic is there. Since there are fewer moving parts and less friction in an electric car than in a gas-powered vehicle, the engine does not produce enough heat.
Besides, even the heat of fuel combustion is not there. And the heat pumps offered on the market do not necessarily have the power to provide the desired temperature on a long road and on expressways.
But hey, that could all be a thing of the past. A breakthrough that could solve the winter heating problem is now on the horizon.
A heat pump from France
The innovation comes this time from France, more precisely from the famous firm Renault, which adds a little refinement in this area.
Unlike a conventional heat pump which does not allow long journeys on the motorway, the manufacturer has imagined a new kind of pump and has even already patented it on its 100% electric Mégane E-Tech model.
This pump channels the heat produced by the battery and the electric motor when they are heavily used. As a result, it recovers this heat twice as efficiently to ensure optimum comfort for the occupants, while preserving the car’s range, since the system requires half the energy of a conventional heat pump.
Much like the pump we use in our homes, this heat pump transfers thermal energy from a cold source into a heating system. Be careful, however, not to confuse this technology with the pre-conditioning system which already exists and which aims to heat the engine battery for its proper functioning.
In short, the result is positive for Renault. On its Mégane E-Tech model, the French manufacturer guarantees a range of 470 kilometers on a single charge, regardless of the season.
When the degrees fall
Operation is not rocket science.
When the temperature outside the vehicle drops, this new pump heats the battery by circulating hot water from the electric motor.
Everything is set in motion. While the passenger compartment heats up with half the energy of a conventional heat pump, heat recovery ensures that the battery and the electric motor can cool down on their own.
The reverse can also be done. During the hot period, the pump can lower the temperature by circulating cold water from a chiller. In this way, the driver is assured that the battery of his vehicle is always at the ideal temperature to ensure optimal charging and range.
The essential pump
Surprisingly today, some manufacturers still consider the heat pump as an option, with an additional investment. In my opinion, the heat pump should be considered a must. Nothing less. In 2023, we should no longer see drivers wearing a toque and a snowsuit to drive their cars…
Having had the chance to drive hybrid and electric cars for several years already, I noticed that the heat in the passenger compartment of my cars in winter was a major issue. Hence my enthusiasm for the heat pump designed by Renault, which seems worthy of interest to me.
If I am told that this pump can bring us a few degrees more in winter, enough for my buttocks to be warm while maintaining autonomy, I am a taker.
It is also good to know that there are other ways to gain autonomy than using ever larger batteries.
All that remains is to hope that this heat pump will suffice for our Quebec winters which, let’s face it, are still harsher than French winters. If so, strongly that it is found on our North American cars. I’m almost shivering with anticipation…