I know the resistive heater in my Volt can’t compare to the heat put out by the ICE. Often in the winter we’ll have to run the ICE to keep the cabin warm enough. It does have heated seats and wheel, but my wife is the type to set the heat to max until it gets too hot rather than just picking a temp and hitting auto to let the car manage it.
If the heat pump can put out more heat for less energy, that would be a boon. That might be the second biggest issue (next to range) that has my wife vetoing an all-electric car. She gets the next vehicle, but I want the one after that to be a full EV.
I know the resistive heater in my Volt can’t compare to the heat put out by the ICE.
the ICE generates an insane amount of excess waste heat as a byproduct, so you have a virtually unlimited supply. The Volt is a PHEV so resistive heating was probably not considered super important.
If the heat pump can put out more heat for less energy
There’s no if about it, it is ~300% more efficient.
That might be the second biggest issue (next to range)
They are the same issue. Less energy used for heating = more range.
It’s all well and good that heating efficiency means more range, but it has to also actually put out more heat to appease her. I could deal without the extra heat and rely more on the heated seats and wheel and maybe a 65 degree cabin, but she won’t. That’s why I was saying it’s two issues.
As I said before, that’s a PHEV. It’s probably insufficient because the engine serves as a heater for those kinds of situations. I’ve driven an EV with a resistive heater (Bolt) in 14 degree weather and it was more than sufficient.
Fwiw, I’ve never had a lack of heat from my cars heat pump. It even warms up faster than a gasoline engine would. Most importantly, I can turn it on remotely to get warm before I get in the car. I never had that with a gas engine
I know the resistive heater in my Volt can’t compare to the heat put out by the ICE. Often in the winter we’ll have to run the ICE to keep the cabin warm enough. It does have heated seats and wheel, but my wife is the type to set the heat to max until it gets too hot rather than just picking a temp and hitting auto to let the car manage it.
If the heat pump can put out more heat for less energy, that would be a boon. That might be the second biggest issue (next to range) that has my wife vetoing an all-electric car. She gets the next vehicle, but I want the one after that to be a full EV.
the ICE generates an insane amount of excess waste heat as a byproduct, so you have a virtually unlimited supply. The Volt is a PHEV so resistive heating was probably not considered super important.
There’s no if about it, it is ~300% more efficient.
They are the same issue. Less energy used for heating = more range.
It’s all well and good that heating efficiency means more range, but it has to also actually put out more heat to appease her. I could deal without the extra heat and rely more on the heated seats and wheel and maybe a 65 degree cabin, but she won’t. That’s why I was saying it’s two issues.
They both output plenty of heat, even in the coldest of climates.
Well the resistive heater isn’t enough for her here lol. But she’s a perpetually cold person.
As I said before, that’s a PHEV. It’s probably insufficient because the engine serves as a heater for those kinds of situations. I’ve driven an EV with a resistive heater (Bolt) in 14 degree weather and it was more than sufficient.
I appreciate it.
Fwiw, I’ve never had a lack of heat from my cars heat pump. It even warms up faster than a gasoline engine would. Most importantly, I can turn it on remotely to get warm before I get in the car. I never had that with a gas engine
Yeah and a lot are moving to heat pumps if they don’t already use them.
https://www.recurrentauto.com/questions/which-electric-vehicles-have-heat-pumps
There’s a list of models that have them.
If you have two cars, one EV and one ICE is a great option. I do recommend whoever is more enthusiastic about EVs get the first one, though.