Would you trade your frunk for a heat pump?

[Gimme_my_MME]

With it getting colder, the thermal requirements of Battery Electric Vehicles is evident in the reduction of range (real world range not GOM displayed range). This reduction is dependent on many factors in each individuals climate.

The benefits of heat pumps have been debated ad nauseam.

The merits of frunk storage have also been discussed at extreme lengths.

The question is: Would you trade your frunk for a heat pump?

Let the debate begin!

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[benk016]

If the heat pump takes up the whole frunk area, then I'll pass.

I would give up some of the frunk size for a heat pump though.

 

[Mirak]

Great question. For me it's the frunk, even though I barely use it. I've found the HVAC to be terrific (I'm kinda surprised by this), and I don't care about squeezing out a tiny bit more efficiency. I gave up tracking my electric use entirely after a few weeks. Helps that I do a goodly portion of my charging at a bank of free chargers near the office, but even charging at home barely put a dent in my energy bill. It's so much cheaper than gas.

 

[generaltso]

My wife's RAV4 Prime has a heat pump, and I really wish it had a restive heater instead. The heat pump is as loud as an engine when it's running and it doesn't work at all below 14F.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

My wife's RAV4 Prime has a heat pump, and I really wish it had a restive heater instead. The heat pump is as loud as an engine when it's running and it doesn't work at all below 14F.

Oh the noise aspect is a very interesting take

 

[SnBGC]

I choose the trunk.

 

[generaltso]

Oh the noise aspect is a very interesting take

Yeah, the first time my wife did a remote start in the cold, she opened the garage door because she thought the engine started. Nope, that's just the heat pump.

 

[dml105]

My wife's RAV4 Prime has a heat pump, and I really wish it had a restive heater instead. The heat pump is as loud as an engine when it's running and it doesn't work at all below 14F.

That's a really good point. We have (like many of you) a heat pump in our house. It does not work below 20 degrees external temperature, so it ALSO comes with E-Heat.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

If the heat pump takes up the whole frunk area, then I'll pass.

I would give up some of the frunk size for a heat pump though.

Where does that cutoff lie? Ability to hold 1 grocery bag? 1 can of V8? 1 shrimp? When does it lose its usability?

 

[SeattleMachE]

Why would we need to sacrifice the frunk for the heat pump? Tesla offers both, I don't understand this choice.

 

[dtbaker61]

Let the debate begin!

I would willingly give up *some* Frunk space for a heat pump.... which would enhance not only HEATING the cabin and battery.... but also used to vastly improve the COOLING of the motor, battery, inverter for higher output for extended periods.

i.e. rather than rely on ambient air temp thru a radiator for cooling.... a heat pump in cooling mode could circulate coolant at 30-40 degrees F. This could be the easiest way to solve the '5 second max output' limitation.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Why would we need to sacrifice the frunk for the heat pump? Tesla offers both, I don't understand this choice.

Because that's what I decided in my hypothetical scenario. I figured I would take two design choices that are debated about and pit them against each other. I'm sure there could be a compromise, but this makes for a better poll and discussion

 

[dtbaker61]

That's a really good point. We have (like many of you) a heat pump in our house. It does not work below 20 degrees external temperature, so it ALSO comes with E-Heat.

modern heat pumps work pretty efficiently down to -4 deg F for heating.

 

[dtbaker61]

Oh the noise aspect is a very interesting take

compressor noise can be muffled pretty well.... The important thing to be is that a heat pump is 2x-3x more efficient at heating than a resistive heater, AND capable of cooling.

I would suggest leaving e-heat in, and ADDING a supplimental heat pump for both heating/cooling would be the best solution.

 

[generaltso]

i.e. rather than rely on ambient air temp thru a radiator for cooling.... a heat pump in cooling mode could circulate coolant at 30-40 degrees F. This could be the easiest way to solve the '5 second max output' limitation.

Could’t that be done with the existing air conditioning system if Ford wanted to? I mean, a heat pump in cooling mode is basically an air conditioner, no?

modern heat pumps work pretty efficiently down to -4 deg F for heating.

Not the one in the RAV4 Prime.

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