Evaluation and Quantification of the Range Extension of Battery Powered Electric Vehicles in Winter by Using a Separate Powered Heating Unit

To solve the issues of global warming and air pollution in urban areas climate neutral and efficient mobility solutions have to be developed. The limited range and long charging times of electric vehicles compared to fuel stops are major problems for widespread use. The energy required to heat a battery powered electric vehicle during cold weather conditions has a significant impact on the achievable driving range. The driving range in winter is reduced by almost 50 % compared to the manufacturer specification based on the New European Driving Cycle. The negative impact of a heating or air-conditioning unit on the driving range of battery powered electric vehicles is estimated at about 20 % to 30 %. This paper's contribution to the current state of the art is an objective evaluation and quantification of the range extension of an electric vehicle that can be achieved using a separate powered heating unit. This heating unit allows the vehicle's standard heating unit to be completely switched off and thus saves energy for supplying the electric powertrain. Furthermore, test drives with our university's modified electric research vehicle are performed under real driving conditions during German winter months of early 2018. Based on the findings of this work, the conclusion is that the usage of a separate heating unit in a battery powered electric vehicle is a good way to extend the available range during winter. The achievable range extension in battery powered electric vehicles up to 21.6 % could pushelectro mobility.