Iassortment of electric cars is a central theme that is especially important in winter when weather conditions deteriorate and the need for warmth on board is high. However, heating and air conditioning systems use a lot of electricity.

As part of the project to improve autonomy electric cars, Ford engineers focused on the main challenge: how to improve the autonomy of electric cars, while providing warmth for all passengers in the cabin?

Autonomy of electric cars: air conditioning under the microscope

The latter discovered that by equipping the electric car with heating surfacesenergy consumption for heating the interior can be reduced by 13% compared to a standard air conditioner.

Thus, it makes it possible to improve the autonomy of the electric car, and 5% increase for a regular charge is equivalent to hundreds of additional kilometers traveled each year.

“We all know that if the doors or windows are open when it’s colder outside, the temperature inside the car drops. This is especially true for vans, as drivers often build up deposits, and the heat generated by the air conditioner is lost more quickly, while the heated surfaces remain warm.”said Markus Espig, Systems Engineer, Ford of Europe Research and Innovation Center: “Decreasing energy consumption not only improves range, but also reduces costs and makes travel more environmentally friendly”.

Autonomy of electric vehicles: a European project

This study was conducted within CEVOLVER project. (A plug-in electric vehicle optimized for durability, cost, efficiency and range) from the European Commission for four years, from October 2018 to October 2022. In addition, the results of the heat management tests will be used in the development of future electric vehicles from Ford.

The all-electric Ford E-Transit was equipped with heated armrests, floor mats, door panels, sun visors and a dashboard, and was tested in actual terms of delivery parcels and goods, as well as in different climatic and temperature conditions. Studies have also shown that changes in weather, traffic and roads can affect range. This data allows us to improve the range calculator for better predictions in real time.

Tested by Ford engineers technologies that can offer range improvementssuch as an engine heat recuperator for interior heating, a battery cooling system, intelligent fast charging that pre-heats or cools the battery before fast charging, or even engine conditioning to keep the mechanics at ideal operating temperature.