Is There a Difference Between the Air Conditioning Systems of Electric Vehicles and Conventional Cars?

[MaximusFitz]

Electric vehicles' air conditioning systems differ from those of conventional cars in the following ways: 1. Cooling Differences: The cooling part of an electric vehicle's air conditioning system is similar to that of a conventional car, both relying on a compressor for cooling. However, the air conditioning system in an electric vehicle is powered by an electric motor driving the compressor, whereas in conventional cars, it is driven by the engine. 2. Heating Differences: The heating part shows more significant differences between electric and conventional vehicles. Electric vehicles use PTC heaters to generate warm air, while conventional cars utilize the engine's heat. 3. Operational Principle Differences: The air conditioning system in electric vehicles is driven by an electric motor, with cooling performance controlled by adjusting the motor's speed, i.e., the compressor's speed. In contrast, conventional cars' compressors are belt-driven by the engine, and cooling performance is adjusted by the ECU altering the compressor's swash plate angle.

[JuneLynn]

I've been driving an electric vehicle for three years and have noticed significant differences in the air conditioning compared to gasoline cars. The main difference lies in the power supply method. Gasoline car air conditioners rely on the engine to drive the compressor, while electric vehicles depend entirely on battery power, making AC usage particularly energy-intensive. Winter is the most challenging season. Gasoline cars can utilize engine waste heat for warmth, but electric vehicles have to rely on electric seat heaters or the AC, causing a substantial drop in range whenever the heater is on. Newer models now employ heat pump technology, which is much smarter as it can recover heat from the motor and battery, saving about 30% more energy compared to direct electric heating. Another advantage is the instant startup. While gasoline cars need to wait for the engine to warm up, electric vehicles blow air immediately upon activation. Recently, I've noticed many brands have integrated battery temperature control, using the AC to simultaneously maintain battery temperature, killing two birds with one stone.

[LaWalker]

Last time I repaired the air conditioning on a friend's Model 3, I noticed that the structure of an electric vehicle's AC system is somewhat simpler than that of a gasoline car. In gasoline cars, the compressor is connected to the engine's pulley, while in electric vehicles, the compressor is directly driven by high-voltage electricity, eliminating belt-driven components. However, the circuitry is particularly complex, with additional components like PTC heaters and electronic expansion valves. During maintenance, focus on two key areas: first, the sealing of the refrigerant circuit—electric vehicles experience less vibration in the piping, resulting in fewer leaks; second, the insulation of the high-voltage wiring harness, as issues here can affect the entire thermal management system. There's also a small detail worth noting: many electric vehicles include a battery pre-heating function for the AC, allowing the car to warm up in advance while charging. This design is indeed thoughtful.

[KiaraMarie]

Research on new energy vehicles reveals that the main differences in air conditioning systems lie in energy management. Traditional car air conditioners typically have a power output of just 3kW, but electric vehicles can reach up to 7kW when using the heater in sub-zero conditions, directly consuming a quarter of the battery capacity. This is why high-end models are now promoting heat pump air conditioning systems. For instance, Tesla uses an eight-way valve to achieve cold and heat reversal, which is far more energy-efficient than traditional PTC heating. Additionally, the control strategies differ. In electric vehicles, the air conditioning system is linked with the energy recovery system, automatically reducing airflow during deceleration. Some models even incorporate solar sunroofs to assist with power supply—innovations rarely seen in traditional fuel-powered vehicles.