Electric Car: A Heated Seat Belt for Greater Range?

A heating belt to preserve the battery of your electric car and gain a few miles of range? The idea comes from the German equipment manufacturer ZF, which presented its device during CES 2023 in Las Vegas.

This device would make sense on vehicles equipped with heated seats, and perhaps also a heated steering wheel, so that passengers can enjoy full heating. In these conditions, they would no longer necessarily need to use conventional heating.

Since the latter is very energy-intensive on electric cars, which cannot use residual heat from the engine, this change in habits would significantly improve range in winter. ZF estimates the potential gain at around 15%. This differs from what Mercedes-Benz proposed with its ESV concept in 2019. The German brand aimed to encourage seatbelt use, rather than comfort or range.

“Thanks to its built-in heating function, ZF’s new heated seatbelt provides pleasant warmth, typically between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius, from the start of the journey”, explains the German equipment manufacturer. “During cold seasons, combining it with seat, belt, and steering wheel heating allows for reducing cabin heating, which is very energy-consuming (…) This can result in up to 15% increased range.”

A perfectly integrated device

Visually, the heated belt looks like any other seatbelt. The conductive wires are directly integrated into the fabric structure specifically designed for this innovation. “The contact elements of the heating circuits are positioned so that they do not affect the functionality of the belt or its retraction”, specifies ZF. And of course, the manufacturer ensured that its system would not impair the belt’s effectiveness. On the contrary, it would indirectly have a positive impact on passenger safety, who, by removing warm clothing to maximize heat, would bring the belt closer to their body and thus be better protected.

The question now is whether ZF’s idea will interest an automaker. For the moment, the topic has not been addressed.

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