Do EVs generate heat from the batteries to warm the cabin?
Maybe a bit of a strange question: I have a Smart ForFour EV and I notice it has a cooling system the same as a conventional petrol/diesel car. I guess this is used to cool the traction motor. Is the heat generated from it just dissapated into the air, or is it used to help heat the car through the car's heater? I ask because when I turn on the car's heater my 'range' is immediately is reduced by about a third.
Asked on 31 December 2023 by 1994
Answered by
David Ross
Most modern EVs do produce some heat from the battery, but this is rarely sufficient to heat the cabin. Some EVs are fitted with heat pumps, which operate in the opposite way to a refrigerator - taking cold air from outside, compressing it into a condenser which then radiates heat to warm either the batteries for efficiency or the cabin to warm the passengers. Unfortunately the Smart EQ is not available with this system, so you can only warm the cabin by using the main battery.
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