The main goal is to cut energy consumption, extend battery range

Sep 20, 2012 08:58 GMT  ·  By

Most people who still refuse to look into the possibility of purchasing either an all-electric vehicle, or a hybrid car tend to complain about the fact that battery range is more often than not a deal breaker, especially since charging stations are presently few and far in between.

Hoping to somewhat sort out this problem, German automaker BMW announced plans to investigate whether or not it might be possible to have infrared heating systems installed in its future EVs and hybrids.

Apparently, this would help considerably diminish the car's energy use, and therefore translate into a battery range extended by as much as 30 percent.

“Conventional heaters and air conditioners today heat the air inside the vehicle, which then transfers its heat to the driver and passengers. In contrast, in systems employing infrared heating surfaces, energy is converted into infrared radiation, which then warms the occupants' bodies directly,” reads their press release on this issue.

It may be a while before such technology becomes available to the general public, but here's hoping. More so seeing how everything that helps make EVs and hybrids more appealing to your average consumer is welcome from our standpoint.