EVs are notorious for losing range in cold weather due to energy being used to warm the vehicle cabin instead of propelling the vehicle forward. But now, prototype “heat belts” from ZF could help eliminate this thermal waste by using the same principle as an electric blanket. These belts warm up just the front of the driver’s torso and pelvis, and in combination with heated seats, they have the potential to provide occupant comfort quickly while reducing the amount of battery current used to heat the interior of the vehicle, potentially resulting in a range gain of up to 15%.
