Fuel Operated Heaters Applied to Electric Vehicles

摘要

In recent years, numerous automobile manufacturers have been pursuing the development of Electric Vehicles (EVs) as a response to environmental problems such as global warming. Such EVs usually have shorter ranges than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles because of their limited battery capacity. This problem is exacerbated in the winter, especially in cold districts, as the need for electricity to heat vehicle cabins results in drastic mileage reductions. One readily available solution to this problem is the use of Fuel-Operated Heaters (FOHs), and in this study we have performed field operation tests on such heaters retrofitted into mass-produced EVs. The pros and cons of FOH use with EVs will be discussed in comparison with Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) and heat pump heaters from the viewpoints of energy efficiency, carbon dioxide (CO_2) emissions, heating performance, mileage influence, and usability.