Jaguar revealed its warm-blanket concept at the recent CENEX Low Carbon Vehicle show in the United Kingdom.
“Today’s HVAC systems can draw 8 to 10 kW from an electric vehicle’s battery, enough to reduce the range by up to 40%,” according to Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology at Jaguar Land Rover. Jaguar has proposed to keep an “air bubble” at optimum temperature inside the vehicle rather than continuously blow in a stream of hot air. To maintain the optimum temperature around the occupants, imbedded infrared panels inside sun visors, door tops, the glovebox door and the sides of the transmission tunnel surround each occupant and radiate heat.
Because the panels heat up quickly and efficiently, and the sensation of feeling warm is almost immediate, energy consumption is dramatically reduced. Combining these techniques, test results have shown it’s possible to reduce the consumption of an HVAC system by half. The system functions in conjunction with infrared reflective glass and a filter in the boot that removes carbon dioxide, moisture and particulates from cabin air, improving air quality.
It’s not clear if there are health risks or if passengers would need to apply sunscreen.
