By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: Webasto has introduced the Heated Chiller, a compact 3-in-1 thermal system for electric vehicles that combines cooling, battery conditioning, and interior heating into a single unit. By replacing multiple independent thermal components with one integrated device, it reduces cost, weight, space, and potential failure points while improving overall vehicle efficiency. The system optimises battery temperature for longer life and better performance, enhances heat-pump efficiency in cold climates, and ensures reliable cabin comfort. Designed specifically for modern EV thermal architectures, it supports fast charging, high-load driving, and cold-weather operation.
Key engineering takeaway: A single integrated thermal module replaces several separate components, enabling more efficient battery heating/cooling and improved cabin-heating performance while reducing system complexity, plumbing, and packaging demands.
Why it matters: Efficient, compact thermal systems are essential for EV range, durability, and cold-weather usability; consolidating functions into one device helps OEMs cut cost and weight while delivering more consistent real-world performance for drivers.
One component, three functions: Webasto presents the Heated Chiller, a pioneering innovation for electric vehicles. The new 3-in-1 solution combines the classic chiller function (cooling), active battery temperature control, and interior heating in a single device.
Added value compared to established thermo systems
In classic vehicle architectures, several separate thermal components must be installed, connected, and controlled, each with its own lines, controls, and sealing points. This increases the space requirements, weight, and susceptibility to errors. The Heated Chiller replaces these devices with a single system, reducing costs, complexity, and material usage. At the same time, batteries are quickly brought to optimal temperatures, which extends their service life and improves range. For end customers, this means a high level of comfort even in extreme weather conditions.
Technical functionality
The Heated Chiller is specially tailored to the complex thermal requirements of modern electric vehicles. It fulfills several functions:
- Battery conditioning: Heats the coolant to ensure optimal battery temperature, thereby improving battery performance and service life.
- Battery cooling: Removes excess heat from the battery circuit via the cooling function – for example, during fast charging or sporty driving – thus protecting the components from thermal overload.
- Interior heating: Heats the refrigerant directly, increasing the efficiency of the heat pump, especially at low outside temperatures.
“With the Heated Chiller, we offer our customers a compact solution that solves several challenges in the thermal management of electric vehicles. Our many years of expertise in system integration, thermal management, and battery technology have gone into this development, always with a focus on comfort, efficiency, and sustainability,” says Christin Reinhertz, who is globally responsible for the electric heating business at Webasto.
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