Design and performance evaluation of a novel solar-powered preheating system for power batteries in electric vehicles

To address the critical contradiction between the performance degradation of electric vehicle (EV) power batteries at low temperatures and the exacerbation of “range anxiety” by traditional preheating methods that consume the batteries' own power, this study proposes and evaluates an energy-autonomous solar-powered preheating system, designed and validated using the Tesla Model Y as the application platform. The system integrates photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TE) harvesting, low-temperature storage, and a film heater, operating independently of the vehicle's traction battery. Key findings include: (1) The system demonstrates effective solar energy harvesting across diverse climates (Beijing, New York, Berlin), enabling a self-sufficient cold-start capability for the Tesla battery pack. (2) It achieves rapid and uniform preheating of the Tesla battery from 253.15 K to 273.15 K within 489 s (max ΔT < 4 K). (3) Through intelligent energy management, it provides net driving range gains in all seasons—yielding over 20% net increase in cold weather as exemplified by the Beijing case, and functioning as a direct solar range extender in warm conditions. (4) Parametric sensitivity analysis reveals the critical regulatory roles played by irradiance and wind speed in the output of the preheating system. (5) Carbon abatement potential analysis confirms significant carbon reduction potential, reaching up to 726 kg CO2 per vehicle annually under a high-carbon grid. This work provides a promising, vehicle-integrated solution for sustainable thermal management and energy autonomy in EVs.