zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
Why Every Tesla Is Getting a Heat Pump
Why Every Tesla Is Getting a Heat Pump-August 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:11:59

Image for article titled Why Every Tesla Is Getting a Heat Pump

had long been against using in its vehicles, but like most things with the Austin, Texas-based automaker, . It first added the pump to its , and since then, have made their way to the rest of the company’s .

Now, Tesla is giving us an in-depth look at just how its heat pumps work and why they were designed the way they were with a new video posted to .

“EVs get a bad reputation in cold weather. They’re known for running out of range super quickly. They charge too slowly. Tesla is about changing all those notions and making an EV for all kinds of weather,” a disembodied voice says at the beginning of the video.

That’s all well and good, but how does it work? Luckily for us, the video does a pretty good job of explaining exactly what a heat pump does and why Tesla’s is a bit different than the rest.

Image for article titled Why Every Tesla Is Getting a Heat Pump

According to Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, a heat pump is pretty much an air conditioning system that is working in reverse. It draws excess heat from the vehicle’s powertrain in order to pump down Supercharging speeds and improve cold weather driving range. Tesla says vehicles equipped with heat pumps can use heat generated by the battery and drive units to do things like warm the cabin, save energy and improve range on longer drives.

Image for article titled Why Every Tesla Is Getting a Heat Pump

Heat pumps are fairly common on most electric vehicles, but Tesla decided to take a clean-sheet approach to engineering the component, going through a number of trial and error iterations. What Tesla says sets its heat pump apart from the others is the “super manifold” which is a two-layer PCV assembly, and the “octo-valve.” It’s meant to help increase the system’s efficiency and integration with the rest of the vehicle. There’s also a fun little octopus decal on it that’ll brighten any repair tech’s day. The automaker points to the fact that its system can actually generate its own heat to keep the cabin warm rather than relying on heat generated by the drivetrain.

Tesla also aimed to reduce complexity with their heat pump. In the video, a spokesperson said they took a component that would normally be 15-20 parts and combined them into one unit. Another example of simplification is a new configuration for the coolant loop. Engineers combine two valves into a single valve. The company says it saves money and complexity during assembly.

“If you can carry a bigger load, more cargo, more passengers and you can still get to your destination while consuming 15 to 20 percent less energy it’s significant,” Vincent, who works in Tesla’s System Monitoring department, said in the video.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ? MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is...
Aug 24, 2025
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I have two automotive loves: The first is the Miata, the second is off-road racing. For a while I raced air-cooled Volkswagens in the deserts of California and Nevada and I was lucky enough to co-drive in a class 11 stock bug in the Baja 1000 a few years...
Aug 24, 2025
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
closed its São Bernardo Plant in November 2023, marking the end of its first overseas production facility. The closure caps off a period of continuous car production in São Paolo, , lasting over 60 years. The plant was home to a Komatsu 700-ton press that predates itself. And now...
Aug 24, 2025
Subaru Had It Right All Along
Subaru Had It Right All Along
When first came to the United States, it sold small funky cars that were decidedly un-American. As the company grew its own identity and became more established in the U.S., it became the first automaker to offer an all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1975. Subaru was also an early-adopter of...
Aug 24, 2025
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
At long last, we are about to get behind the wheel of for the first time. Sure, , and sure, , and sure , but hey — what can you do? Anyway, before we get behind the wheel of this three-row electric beast, we want to know what you...
Aug 24, 2025
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I love tiny, of . I have a that is roughly half the size of a normal cat, and she’s perfect. I own a 2013 , which is like the miniature version of a normal-sized vehicle (at least here in Texas) — but beyond that, I also own a Hot...
Aug 24, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved