HEAT!

Winter Heat:
Sure, gasoline engines aren’t efficient, but all that waste heat sure is nice in the winter. Since this car no longer has the original engine, it doesn’t have the original heat either. The blower motor is still there and works fine for defogging the windshield.
Some EV converters remove the original heater core and replace it with a ceramic heating element that runs on their pack voltage. That sounded like a lot of work, and I was already sick of tearing apart the dashboard.

For defrosting the windshield, I had a small 12V electric defroster that plugs into the cigarette lighter plug. These are commonly sold for gas cars to defrost their windshield faster.

I already had a household (120V AC) electric oil-filled radiator. I just put that behind the passenger seat, and run an extension cord out the window to a timer.
The heat comes on automatically in the morning and heats up the inside of the entire car before I get in it.
The mass of the oil in the radiator stays hot for about 10 minutes or so after I leave. Most of my trips aren’t any longer than that anyways.

I like that with this heat system in that:
1) I didn’t have to buy a darn thing
2) The entire interior of the car is already warm – seats, steering wheel, everything!
3) This also helps keep the batteries warm.
4) All the electric power comes from the wall, instead of the batteries

The only down side is that if I am parked all day somewhere that I can’t plug in, I don’t have that same heat for the ride home. On the other hand, most of my trips are pretty short, so it’s not the end of the world.

This heat system consumes about 5 cents worth of electricity per use.

Later, I built myself a heated coat. The idea is that I can stay warm in the winter working in my detached and unheated garage or while driving a vehicle. The HEATED COAT works great, and I even set it up to run from a small lithium tool battery!

I also picked up a heated steering wheel cover. They are $20 brand-new at the store, and I found a second one later for only $5 brand-new at the thrift store! It plugs into the 12V cigarette-lighter plug and is cozy and warm.

For a high-end DIY electric car conversion, a person can install an electric heater and pump. That will heat and circulate engine coolant to the car’s original heater core. This style of electric heater will run off main battery pack voltage. They can be purchased from electric vehicle parts vendors.

Although it might seem counter-intuitive, a fuel-burning heater can be installed. Just like the old air-cooled Volkswagens, you can add an aftermarket heater which burns diesel, gasoline, kerosene, or ethanol. When we bought a Mitsubishi iMiEV in 2015, we found that the heater didn’t work great, and added a fuel burner to improve the heating system.

Modern commercially-built electric cars have full heating and air-conditioning systems. Some use resistive heat, while others use heat pumps. Heated seats and steering wheels are common as well. One nice thing is that the electric heat comes on instantly, whereas on a gas car, you have to wait until the engine warms up. Nearly all EVs also have “pre-conditioning” systems. You set a timer or use a key fob or app to have your car automatically heat or cool. When you are ready to drive your car is already nice and warm in the winter and cool in the summer!

If you live in a cold climate, ANY car can benefit from a 12V electric heated blanket! Seriously! They are affordable, practical, and versatile. Get one for your car!