Study: Heat Pumps Improving Electric Vehicle Range in Cold Temperatures

    Jan. 27, 2025
    A recent study found that heat pumps brought an approximate 8 to 10 percent increase in driving range for EVs in below freezing temps.
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    Recurrent, a website specializing in research on electric vehicles, released a report on the increase of heat pumps in EVs, and how it’s benefiting their range in freezing temperatures, as recently shared by The Verge.

    The ranges of 2020 Tesla Model 3 and Model S vehicles, which lack heat pumps, were compared with that of 2021 models and newer equipped with heat pumps. Recurrent found that heat pumps brought an approximate 8 to 10 percent increase in driving range in below freezing temps.

    Recurrent Head Researcher Andy Garberson added that heat pumps are not as effective when temps fall under 15 degrees, however.

    Heat pumps are already in several EVs, including the Honda Prologue, Chevy Equinox EV, Kia EV6, Rivians, and Nissan Leaf models going back as far as 2013. Tesla began implementing heat pumps in their vehicles as early as 2021, according to The Verge.

    Top-selling future EV models, such as the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E, are also being developed to include heat pumps.

    About the Author

    Ratchet+Wrench Staff Reporters

    The Ratchet+Wrench staff reporters have a combined two-plus decades of journalism and mechanical repair experience.

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