The semiconductor crisis spares no one, and difficulties in the supply of raw materials force manufacturers to modify their vehicles by removing certain equipment in order to be able to deliver to customers on time.

At Volkswagen, it is the heat pump that is the problem when producing 100% electric models in the ID. range, such as the Volkswagen ID.4. Indeed, since the end of December, the German manufacturer stopped equipping its electric SUV with heat pumps, replaced by a resistive heating system more classic.

Volkswagen ID.4: roadside heat pump

The website shared the information Drive a Tesla in Canada: This relays the testimony of a reader who indicates that the ID.4 he is about to get does not have the heat pump he signed up for as an option. In the absence of this equipment, customers who signed up for an additional heat pump will see theirs the final invoice is adjusted accordingly upon delivery.

A representative of the brand confirmed this information, while clarifying that Volkswagen does not yet know when it will be shortage of heat pumps ends, or when the Chattanooga, Tennessee plant can once again install this equipment on the ID.4 SUV.

Volkswagen: a general lack in the group

Volkswagen is not the only brand of the German group to suffer from this shortage: indeed, a few days ago Audi announced that it would no longer be able to supply Audi Q4s equipped with heat pumps due to difficulties with the supply of components.

The brand with four rings has sent an email to its customers who have reserved a copy of the Q4 SUV, informing them that from February, all Q4s produced will be equipped with a resistive heating system instead of the expected heat pump.

Volkswagen: how does a heat pump work?

Unlike a heat engine, the operation of an electric motor does not produce enough heat to heat the cabin. Volkswagen then offers a system for its 100% electric models heat pump which compresses the refrigerant under high pressure.

Thus, the heat produced is used to heat the cold air coming from outside before sending it into the car interior. This technology consumes less battery power than a traditional heating system using a resistor. So it allows maintain autonomy your electric car, especially in winter.

Source: Drive Tesla