All new Tesla EVs come standard with heat pumps these days, making a big difference in terms of efficiency and range in cold weather.
In a new video on its YouTube channel, Tesla offers an interesting presentation of the heat pump developed for the Model Y and later implemented model 3, Model S and Model X even.
As Tesla vice president of vehicle engineering Lars Moravy explains in the clip, the heat pump is essentially a reverse air conditioner. The heat pump extracts excess heat from the powertrain to maximize charge speeds and range in cold weather
Tesla vehicles equipped with heat pumps can use the heat generated by the battery and power units to warm the cabin, save energy and improve range on long journeys.
As with many aspects of Tesla cars, the engineers took a unique approach when designing the heat pump. We learn from the video that the company went for a fresh design when implementing the technology and went through many iterations during a trial and error process.
Tesla’s heat pump features several innovations such as the “super manifold” and the “octovalve” that help increase the efficiency and integration of the heat pump system. For example, in really cold weather, where other heat pumps won’t do, Tesla’s system can generate its own heat to keep the cabin warm and prioritize power delivery.
Another priority for Tesla in developing the heat pump was reducing complexity, and the team achieved this by thinking outside the box. For example, the engineers needed a new configuration for the coolant circuit, so they combined two valves into a single valve. In addition, the introduction of the Super Manifold allowed Tesla to significantly reduce the number of components.
Ultimately, this made the heat pump easier and cheaper to build, and potentially more reliable as there are fewer components to fail over time.
Watch the video above to learn more about Tesla’s heat pump, how the engineers came up with their current configuration, and why they believe it’s the best on the market today.
