With over 3 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, it’s only natural for more and more people to become curious about how they work. EVs are powered by a rechargeable battery pack and an electric motor. Since they function perfectly fine without internal combustion engines, people often wonder if they can also function without a radiator. But do Teslas and other EVs even have radiators? Most of them do. Tesla, Kia, Ford, and Chevy are examples.
Since a radiator is a heat exchanger, and Tesla batteries and electric drive motors are liquid-cooled, the short answer is yes, most EVs do have radiators and electric coolant pumps.
What Does a Radiator Do in a Car with an Internal Combustion Engine?
When an internal combustion engine (ICE) is running, it naturally generates a lot of heat. A radiator is specifically designed to cool down the engine, preventing it from overheating. The cooling system thermostat opens at its calibrated temperature to allow coolant flow through the radiator (heat exchanger).
Do Electric Cars Have Radiators?
As stated and illustrated previously, not only do most EVs have radiators, they also have coolant pumps to circulate battery coolant through the radiator.
How Do Electric Cars Stay Cool?
Just because EVs don’t produce as much heat as traditional cars doesn’t mean they don’t need some form of cooling system. Here are examples of electric car cooling systems:
Battery Thermal Management
Most EVs are powered by lithium-ion batteries that have an ideal working temperature between 68 and 113 °F. They can overheat without sufficient thermal management, leading to battery degradation or a fire. Because of this, it’s important for EV batteries to have some form of cooling system.
Liquid Cooling
This is one of the most common cooling systems you’ll find in EVs. A liquid cooling system uses a special coolant mix that circulates through the battery pack. It’s pumped through designed plates or pipes in the battery cells, where it absorbs heat before moving through a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger then absorbs the heat and evaporates it, sometimes through the vehicle’s air conditioning (A/C) system to warm up the cabin.
Air Cooling
In an air cooling system, air cools the battery pack instead of coolant. It flows from the cabin through the battery pack, using convection to transfer the heat. Turning on the A/C system or using a fan can help cool the battery faster by chilling the air first.
While this system is cheaper, it’s less efficient than liquid cooling and won’t be viable in hot climates.
Air cooling (ex. Nissan Leaf) uses fans to circulate air around the battery pack. Phase-Change Material (PCM) Cooling (Renault Zoe) uses materials that absorb heat by changing phase from solid to liquid, much like refrigerant in an A/C system. PCM cooling requires a heat exchanger that is more like an A/C condenser than a radiator.
Power Electronic System
In an EV, the power electronic system converts the high-voltage direct current (DC) from the battery into the alternating current (AC) that powers the electric motor. This process generates heat, which can damage the converters, inverters, and control circuits in the system. To dissipate heat from the circuit, the power electronic system is connected to the cooling system.
Electric Motors
Electric motors convert electrical energy from the battery into mechanical motion that turns the gears and rotates the tires. When the motor draws more power from the battery, it can heat up and affect the performance of the vehicle. EV cooling systems help electric motors stay within their optimal working temperature.
Why Do Some EVs Still Have Radiator Grilles?
Radiator grilles allow the outside air to reach the radiator and cool down the engine. Since EVs don’t have radiators, they don’t really need radiator grilles. This is why you won’t find radiator grilles on most EVs, including Tesla and Kia electric cars.
However, some argue that radiator grilles can still serve a purpose for EVs. Radiator grilles allow air to enter and cool the battery. Some manufacturers have also redesigned grilles and turned them into integrated multifunctional panels that come with cameras, radar sensors, and radar covers.
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