Ford Motor has introduced its patented Vapour-Injected Heat Pump (VIHP) technology as a standard feature in its E-Transit Custom, E-Tourneo Custom, and enhanced-range E-Transit models.
Designed to optimize efficiency in extreme temperatures, the system captures heat from the airāeven at temperatures below -10Ā°Cāhelping electric vans travel further between recharges.
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For businesses that rely on vans for early starts, late finishes, and overnight shifts, driving in sub-zero temperatures remains a challenge well into spring. Fordās VIHP system aims to reduce battery power consumption for cabin heating by utilizing “free” heat energy from the environment, allowing more energy to be directed toward driving range.
During testing, Ford engineers recorded a 7ā10% improvement in range for the enhanced-range E-Transit compared to a version without a heat pump.
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āFor businesses that use vans, every kilometre travelled between top-ups means less downtime and more money earned. Weāre chasing every kilometre to maximise efficiency and make electric fleets more productive and cost-effective for hard-working businesses,ā said Ingo Krolewski, supervisor, Climate Attribute and Controls at Ford.
The VIHP technology improves upon conventional heat pumps by using vapour injection, which enhances both heating and cooling performance. At temperatures above 25Ā°C, the system can also extract heat from the cabin, reducing energy use for air conditioning.
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Nearly two years of development, involving over 100 wind tunnel tests and 25,000 kilometers of real-world trials across climates ranging from Finnish winters at -34Ā°C to Spanish summer heat, contributed to the systemās refinement.
Developed through a collaboration between Fordās engineering teams in the UK, Germany, and the US, the VIHP is a key component in Fordās strategy to improve the efficiency and reliability of its electric commercial vehicles, particularly for fleet operators seeking cost-effective solutions.