GM likes to tell us about its Ultium platform from time to time, and today it tells us about the platform’s ability to capture waste heat from the propulsion system. In addition to trapping the propulsion system, it can also trap moisture from both inside and outside the vehicle and even from passengers’ body heat. Yes, you, your family and/or your friends are a useful source of heat when it comes to GM EVs. It then uses the heat in an economical way. If you yell at this point, “Heat pump!” you would be right. We’re talking about a comprehensive heat pump system that GM uses for its Ultium-based vehicles.
Every Ultium-based GM vehicle will have this system, which is covered by 11 patents and four publications. The waste heat it collects is used in a number of ways, but its main use is to heat the cabin quickly and efficiently. GM claims it can heat the cabin of its Ultium-based vehicles faster than vehicles with traditional combustion engines. In addition, GM claims that when put into service, using the heat pump will give its EVs up to 10% more range than they would have without it.
In addition to heating the cabin, the heat pump can also use residual heat by pre-heating the battery before charging, allowing you to charge faster. The system can even cool the propulsion system in preparation for Watts to Freedom (WTF) launch control. GM says this was vital in helping the Hummer EV reach its insane 0-60mph time of about 3 seconds.
“Having a thorough EV architecture gives us the freedom to build in standard features, such as Ultium’s energy recovery capabilities,” said Doug Parks, GM executive VP of global product development, procurement and supply chain. “This helps us squeeze more efficiency, performance and overall customer benefit from our EVs.”
GM says it has been developing heat pump technology since the EV1 and its heat pump. This is the modern evolution of that technology, and GM says it will be implemented as standard in every Ultium-based vehicle.
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