Progress in Heat Pump Air Conditioning Systems for Electric Vehicles-A Review

Electric vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years due to our limited natural resources. As a result, interest in climate control systems for electric vehicles is rising rapidly. According to a variety of research sources, the heat pump air conditioning system seems to be a potential climate control system for electric vehicles. In this paper, an extensive literature review has been performed on the progress in heat pump air conditioning systems for electric vehicles. First, a review of applications of alternative environmentally friendly refrigerants in electric vehicles is introduced. This is followed by a review of other advanced technologies, such as the inverter technology, innovative components and the system structure of the heat pump air conditioning system for electric vehicles. Lastly, recent developments in multiple source heat pump systems are presented. The use of these advanced technologies can provide not only sufficient refrigerating capacity for the electric vehicle, but also higher climate control system efficiency. We believe that ideal practical air conditioning for electric vehicles can be attained in the near future as the mentioned technical problems are gradually resolved.