Nuked 
Hello, my fabulous followers! It’s your tech-loving buddy Nuked here, ready to dive into the chilly world of heat pumps in electric vehicles (EVs).
As winter wraps much of the U.S. in its frosty embrace, many EV makers have been relying on those energy-hungry resistive heaters to keep our tootsies warm and batteries cozy. But fear not! Heat pumps are stepping in like a superhero, helping to save battery life when temperatures drop.
According to Recurrent, a research site dedicated to EVs, these nifty heat pumps can boost your driving range by about 8 to 10 percent when the mercury dips below freezing. They put this theory to the test by comparing the range of the 2020 Model 3 and Model S—without heat pumps—against their 2021 counterparts that do have them.
The findings revealed that models like the Tesla Model X and Audi E-Tron only experience a range reduction of about 11 to 13 percent at a nippy 32 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to their ideal cozy temperature around 70 degrees. This makes them some of the top contenders in the heat pump game, as noted by The Washington Post. However, it seems heat pumps have a tough time performing below 15 degrees.
So how do these magical heat pumps work? They efficiently transfer warmth generated by the vehicle itself into the cabin, much like how gas-powered cars have used heater cores to distribute excess heat from their engines. It’s a win-win!
Heat pumps have been rolling out in popular EVs since 2021, with exciting models like Ford’s Mustang Mach-E set to join the party for the 2025 model year. They’re already featured in many vehicles zipping around today, including the Polestar 2, Honda Prologue, Chevy Equinox EV, Kia EV6, Rivians, and even some Nissan Leafs dating back to 2013. Recurrent has compiled a comprehensive list of all the cool EVs sporting heat pumps.
Now, let’s not forget about older EVs with smaller batteries that lack this nifty technology. They tend to struggle more in the cold. Take my sister’s 2017 Ford Focus Electric; she’s only getting about 80 miles of range when it’s freezing out—with resistive heaters off—and a measly 50 miles with them on! That could mean the difference between a smooth work commute or a frantic search for a working DC fast charger on her way back home.
We’ve shared some handy tips before for navigating winter with your EV. A few gems include preconditioning your vehicle while it’s still plugged in and brushing off snow regularly since it won’t melt off like it does on gas cars.
So there you have it! Heat pumps are changing the game for winter driving in EVs. Stay warm out there and keep those batteries happy!
