Description BACKGROUND One of the major barriers to the widespread uptake of electric vehicles (EV) is their perceived lack of range in comparison to vehicles with combustion engines. Whilst the major load on the EV's battery is to provide propulsion, another major energy use is the provision of heating and cooling in the passenger cabin. If the vehicle's heating and cooling loads can be reduced or provided more efficienctly, then vevicle range could be improved. AIM The aim of this project is to investigate different options for more efficient heating and cooling in EVs. The project will be modelling-based. Key Objectives

• review the state-of-the-art in electric vehicles (EV) - review heating and cooling in vehicles - build a computer model of an EV cabin environmental system - test different options to reduce heating and cooling load and improve heating and cooling efficiency  - identify the most effective means to reduce battery load from heating and cooling