Hyundai Developing Advanced Radiant Heating Panels for Electric Vehicles
Hyundai is working on advanced radiant heating panels that could significantly increase the range of electric vehicles in cold climates.
- The latest panels feature improved technology and greater efficiency.
- The company envisions surrounding occupants with multiple heaters to keep them comfortable even in extremely cold conditions.
Lexus RZ Offers Infrared Heating Panels
The Lexus RZ is pretty forgettable, but it’s notable for offering infrared heating panels. They’re located beneath the steering column and passenger side dashboard, and warm your legs when activated.
Efficiency Benefits of Radiant Heating
This has a number of benefits and Lexus officials told us it’s more efficient to heat occupants directly rather than the air inside the cabin. In particular, the company said “compared to a standard climate control system, energy consumption is reduced by around eight percent.”
Hyundai’s Focus on Efficiency
That brings us to the Hyundai Motor Group, which recently announced plans to embrace radiant heating. While Lexus was more focused on the comfort aspect, Hyundai is playing up the efficiency benefits as they noted “range anxiety is a global phenomenon” and “electric vehicles consume a lot of electricity for heating, so their energy consumption efficiency varies greatly depending on the external environment.”
Development of Radiant Heating Systems
As a result, Hyundai is developing radiant heating systems that will keep occupants warm despite the interior having a relatively cool air temperature. This promises to keep occupants warm and comfortable, while also reducing overall energy consumption.
Hyundai’s Wraparound Approach
More interestingly, Hyundai envisions radiant heaters surrounding occupants to provide warmth from multiple sides. They have installed heaters underneath the steering wheel as well as behind the trim on the door panels and center console. This wraparound approach allows a set temperature to be reached within three minutes even in -4°F (-20°C) conditions.
Potential for Mass Production
The wraparound panels were applied to the Genesis Neolun concept, and the company hinted that they are “complete enough to be mass-produced in the near future.” This could prove to be a boon to EV customers in cold climates as Hyundai said heating energy consumption can be reduced by about 17%.