Gasoline heater for Winter driving?

[Laumb]

Putting a gasoline heater In the futuristic electric car is just stalling the development. Who really wants to chase better Technologies to solve the heating problem if the customers Are happy with a little bit of cheap, ancient technology?

Its a bit like quitting smoking, but then do heroin a little tiny bit to get off the nicotine rush. Its not gonna get you there.


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Tapatalkin' from iTalatut.

[lmore]

I would like such a heater, even for my Roadster. Need it for emergency use, if stuck in cold weather, but also sometimes to maximize range.
Did anyone install or plan to install such a system in a Model S? Roadster?

I know a 2 kWh diesel-fueled cabin air-blower has been installed in a Leaf, but I haven't heard of anyone that has installed a non-electric system that heats the battery.

How should a system that heats the battery be installed in a Model S/Roadster?
I guess since the temperature of the battery is liquid-controlled (unlike the Leaf) one could use the heater to heat the liquid. But what's the best way of doing that?
I guess warranty will be void, but the warranty of my Roadster is expired.

[VolkerP]

IMO a 7kW E85 heater would not "taint a pure EV" or be "ancient technology". Instead it's a very cost effective way, far cheaper than adding 3.5kWh to the battery pack for a 30 minute heating run. A must for EVs in northern countries at current battery prices. Hell, even our test driver Mr Broder from NYT would have greatly benefited from a pre-heated Model S-85 with only 8 miles of range loss due to vampire drain

[doug]

If the purpose is to produce heat, combustion is rather efficient way to do it. I expect that natural gas heating is more efficient than using natural gas to produce electricity at the power plant and then running it through a resistive heater.

If there were an auxiliary heater in an EV, I'd prefer it ran on something clean burning like propane rather than gasoline (how common is E85?). You could just periodically exchange the cylinder.

[doug]

How? Do they run the engine for it or is there actually a dedicated heater?

I believe the Ampera just runs the ICE as needed for extra heat. I suppose a Webasto type heater could be useful to reduce the cold start wear on the ICE in a PHEV.

[montgom626]

I believe the Ampera just runs the ICE as needed for extra heat. I suppose a Webasto type heater could be useful to reduce the cold start wear on the ICE in a PHEV.

My 2012 Volt runs the ICE of outdoor temp less than 25 degrees F.

[doug]

My 2012 Volt runs the ICE of outdoor temp less than 25 degrees F.

Is that to warm the battery as well as the cabin?

[JRP3]

If there were an auxiliary heater in an EV, I'd prefer it ran on something clean burning like propane rather than gasoline (how common is E85?). You could just periodically exchange the cylinder.

And if it's really cold



Of course you are now driving a hybrid

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IMO a 7kW E85 heater would not "taint a pure EV" or be "ancient technology". Instead it's a very cost effective way, far cheaper than adding 3.5kWh to the battery pack for a 30 minute heating run.

Except that 3.5kWh of extra battery would also give you extra range in warmer weather.

[Lloyd]

It's and EVAH = Electric Vehicle Auxiliary Heat

[doug]

Of course you are now driving a hybrid

Depending on where you get your electricity, amazingly it's a hybrid that's more efficient than a pure EV.

Except that 3.5kWh of extra battery would also give you extra range in warmer weather.

Except that you might not need or want to pay for that extra capacity. Obviously if batteries are cheap and don't weigh anything, then the sky's the limit.