Hyundai Kia unveils its innovative heat pump system that can extend vehicle range in low temperatures

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation recently unveiled their innovative heat pump system that can maximize the vehicle's pure electric range in low temperature conditions.

The new heat pump system is reportedly deployed in Hyundai and Kia's global electric vehicle (EV) range. Waste heat can be obtained from more sources, thereby optimizing the range of electric vehicles in cold weather. Such innovations mean that Hyundai and Kia electric vehicles can maintain a consistent range under different temperature conditions, while other electric vehicles will have a significantly reduced range under the same temperature conditions. The Hyundai Kona Electric model is equipped with the latest heat pump technology and has been tested in Norway, the world's most advanced electric vehicle market, and has also demonstrated this.

The Norwegian Automotive Federation (NAF) recently compared 20 electric vehicles in cold and warm weather conditions to identify the models with the most consistent range and the best charging performance. The test monitored each car's performance in cold weather conditions and compared the results with numbers provided by the manufacturer.

The Kona Electric took first place with a range of 405 km in the cold, compared to 449 km in the WLTP combined cycle (23°C / 73°F). In contrast, the Kona Electric achieved 91% of its WLTP combined cycle range in the cold, with a deviation of only 9% from its stated electric-only range figure.

It is reported that Hyundai and Kia's heat pump technology first appeared on the first-generation Kia Soul electric model in 2014. The heat pump consists of a compressor, evaporator and condenser, which can absorb the waste heat released by the car's electronic components and recover such energy to efficiently heat the car cabin. Even in cold driving conditions, this technology can protect the Soul model's 180 km electric range from being reduced.

To further improve energy capture and efficiency, Hyundai and Kia are continuing to develop the heat pump technology. Since it was first introduced in 2014, the system has been gradually refined through testing in the extremely cold weather (-35°C) of northern Sweden. By testing in extremely cold weather conditions, research engineers have identified ways to recover as much waste heat as possible to improve the efficiency of the heat pump system. Testing the technology in these conditions ensures that the heat pump can function properly even in the coldest environments.

In addition, Hyundai and Kia also use battery thermal management functions to greatly improve the performance of electric vehicle battery packs. It is understood that Hyundai and Kia electric vehicle battery packs use a water cooling system instead of a traditional air cooling system, which can further extend the battery's range without increasing the physical size. This innovation means that Hyundai and Kia electric vehicle batteries can be packed more tightly because water cooling channels take up less space than air cooling channels, ultimately increasing battery density by 35%.

The innovation also means that Hyundai and Kia's latest electric vehicles have about twice the range and battery capacity of the first-generation electric vehicles, and can travel farther on a single charge. For example, the first-generation Soul EV gave owners a 30kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack that allowed the car to travel 180 kilometers on a full charge. The second-generation Soul EV is equipped with a 64kWh battery pack that takes up the same space but can travel 386 kilometers on a single charge.

A study conducted by Korea's Ministry of the Environment on Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro models found that heat pumps significantly reduced battery energy consumption in cold conditions. When the vehicle was driven at -7°C with the HVAC system activated, the vehicle was able to maintain 90% of its range compared to driving at 26°C, setting a new benchmark for other electric vehicles. In comparison, many electric models from other manufacturers experienced a 18% to 34% drop in pure electric range under the same conditions.

It is reported that Hyundai Motor's "Strategy 2025" plans to sell 670,000 pure electric vehicles and FCEVs (fuel cell vehicles) each year by 2025 and become one of the top three electric vehicle manufacturers. Kia's medium- and long-term strategy "Plan S" shows that the company plans to launch 11 electric models by 2025.

Hyundai and Kia will continue to improve this heat pump system and other thermal management innovations, and these technologies are also influencing the development of the brands' next-generation electric vehicles.