EXPLORING CABIN HEATING EFFICIENCY IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF AIR HEATING MECHANISMS AND STRATEGIC INSULATION

This study examines the impact of cabin heating systems on the driving range and heating performance of electric vehicles, utilizing experimental analyses conducted under cold winter conditions of Erzurum, Turkey. The ambient temperatures ranged between -8°C and -17°C during 60-min test periods. The thermal comfort was assessed by considering cabin modifications and insulation, along with the use of both the internal heating system and the external air heating system in the vehicle. The temperature difference between the cabin interior and the ambient has significantly increased with the installation of insulation materials. Results from the experiments highlighted significant positive effects of insulation material usage on heating energy ratios. The lowest heating energy ratio of 0.60% was recorded in an experiment that used only the internal heating system, without any thermal modifications or adjustments. The highest ratio, 1.70%, was recorded in an experiment where insulation materials on the floor, doors, and ceiling, along with an external heater, were utilized. Additionally, the study revealed that the internal heating system significantly influenced the vehicle range, leading to a reduction of approximately 10 km during 60 min of heating system operation. These findings underscore the crucial role of optimizing heating efficiency to enhance energy sustainability and driving range in electric vehicles.