Does the car air conditioning use fuel or electricity?

[DeBentley]

Traditional fuel-powered vehicle air conditioning compressors are driven by the engine and use fuel, while the car air conditioning control system uses electricity. New energy electric vehicle air conditioning uses power from the car battery. There are two types of car air conditioning systems: independent and non-independent: 1. Independent air conditioning: Has a dedicated power source (such as a second internal combustion engine) to drive the entire air conditioning system. Generally used in long-distance freight transport, high-floor medium and large buses, etc. Independent air conditioning requires two engines, resulting in high fuel consumption and higher costs. Maintenance is very difficult, requiring highly skilled engine repair personnel, and engine parts are hard to obtain, especially for imported engines. Additionally, design and installation are more prone to system quality issues, and the extra drive engine increases the probability of failure. 2. Non-independent air conditioning: Directly uses the vehicle's driving power (engine) to operate the air conditioning system. The non-independent air conditioning system is driven by the main engine to operate the compressor, controlled by an electromagnetic clutch. When power is connected, the clutch disengages, and the compressor stops, thereby adjusting the supply of cold air to control the cabin temperature. Its advantages include simple structure, easy installation and arrangement, and low noise. However, it consumes 10%-15% of the main engine's power, directly affecting the vehicle's acceleration performance and climbing ability. Additionally, its cooling capacity is affected by the vehicle's speed. If the car stops running, the air conditioning system also stops.

[DePaisley]

I find this question quite interesting because many people confuse the energy source of car air conditioning. Essentially, the AC doesn't directly use fuel or electricity, but its operation relies on electrically driven components like the compressor, fans, and control system. This electricity primarily comes from the engine - when the engine runs, it drives the AC compressor via a belt, while the engine burns gasoline or diesel as fuel. Therefore, using the AC increases fuel consumption, especially during traffic jams or idling, where it can consume about 10-20% more fuel. In electric vehicles, the AC is powered directly by the battery, involving no fuel consumption but reducing the driving range due to electricity usage. For daily use, it's important to maintain AC efficiency, such as regularly cleaning filters and checking refrigerant levels, which can prevent energy waste and extend the system's lifespan. Based on my years of driving experience, I've noticed that frequent AC use in summer leads to faster fuel gauge drops. A money-saving tip is that on highways, using AC with windows closed is actually more fuel-efficient than driving with windows open.