Electric Focus to be used for testsResearchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a prototype system that will eliminate the need for an electric vehicle's powertrain to be used for heating or cooling the car, writes Brian Byrne.
The system uses a well-known principle where the heat of a large building can be used to cool it, but miniaturised so it can be fitted in a car.
The system, which they hope to test in a Ford Focus EV, uses materials that can store large amounts of coolant in small volumes, coolant which can be used for both heating and cooling the vehicle as it is moved through the system.
If successful, the system will eliminate range-shortening of EVs because of the need to heat or cool them from the powertrain.
