Recent advancements in radiant heating could cut energy consumption by about 17%
The Lexus RZ may not stand out much, but it’s noteworthy for its infrared heating panels. These panels are positioned under the steering column and passenger side dashboard, providing warmth to your legs when activated.
This offers several advantages, and Lexus officials explained that heating occupants directly is more efficient than warming the air inside the cabin. Specifically, they noted that “compared to a standard climate control system, energy consumption is reduced by around eight percent.”
This leads us to Hyundai Motor Group, which recently revealed plans to adopt radiant heating. While Lexus emphasized comfort, Hyundai is highlighting the efficiency benefits. They pointed out that “range anxiety is a global phenomenon,” and noted that “electric vehicles consume a significant amount of electricity for heating, making their energy efficiency highly dependent on the external environment.”
As a result, Hyundai is developing radiant heating systems that will keep occupants warm even when the cabin air temperature is relatively low. This approach ensures comfort while also lowering overall energy consumption.
While Hyundai has been offering radiant heaters in some markets since 2019, their use is expected to expand in the future. The latest heaters are more advanced, featuring a “film-type heating element made from carbon nanotube material,” which offers better thermal effects due to its wider heating area compared to the carbon fabric heating element used in the first-generation technology.
More intriguingly, Hyundai envisions a radiant heating system that surrounds occupants, providing warmth from multiple sides. They have installed heaters beneath the steering wheel, as well as behind the trim on door panels and the center console. This wraparound approach allows a set temperature to be reached within just three minutes, even in conditions as cold as -4°F (-20°C).
These wraparound panels were applied to the Genesis Neolun concept, and the company hinted that they are “ready for mass production in the near future.” This innovation could be a significant benefit for EV owners in cold climates, as Hyundai claims that heating energy consumption can be reduced by about 17%.
