Heat pumps can mitigate range loss and are standard on newer models.
  • roofuskit@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    3 days ago

    Is this really an article saying heat pumps are more efficient than resistive heaters? Yes, that is why heat pumps exist.

    The biggest issue is the battery itself. If it gets cold enough you can have difficulty even charging an EV outdoors. I would be a lot more concerned with whether or not my battery is well insulated and heated. Heat pumps are great and should be the default, but unless you’re going really far or have a very low range EV it’s not a huge issue.

    • bluGill@fedia.io
      2·
      3 days ago

      You still need resistive heat as heatpumps don’t work below about -20C and those temperatures happen to at least some car buyers.

    • MagicShel@lemmy.zipEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      I know the resistive heater in my Volt can’t compare to the heat put out by the ICE. Often in the winter we’ll have to run the ICE to keep the cabin warm enough. It does have heated seats and wheel, but my wife is the type to set the heat to max until it gets too hot rather than just picking a temp and hitting auto to let the car manage it.

      If the heat pump can put out more heat for less energy, that would be a boon. That might be the second biggest issue (next to range) that has my wife vetoing an all-electric car. She gets the next vehicle, but I want the one after that to be a full EV.

  • king_tronzington@lemm.eeEnglish
    0·
    3 days ago

    As someone in a rural state, cold weather range is one of my chief concerns. I work from home but on the weekends travel to far away backcountry areas to ski.

    I’d like to get a full EV when my current lease expires(2.5 years) but the pool of cars that are affordable, have AWD, and 300 miles of range(aka 180-225 in winter) is quite limited.