Sugar alcohol blends of galactitol and mannitol and compositions comprising such blends are disclosed as phase change materials (PCMs). A method of forming carbon nanotubes on a carbon substrate is described. Carbon substrates with carbon nanotubes, in particular, conformal layers of carbon nanotubes on carbon substrates, are also disclosed, as are methods of making and using these materials. Thermal storage units are also provided. The thermal storage units can comprise a heat exchange path through which a heat exchange medium flows, and a thermal storage medium in thermal contact with the heat exchange path.

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for an electrically-powered vehicle (EV) having an electric motor powered by at least one battery is described. The HVAC system may comprise a blower, a conduit configured to carry air from the blower to vents leading to a passenger cabin of the EV, and an electric heater positioned in the conduit and configured to heat the air. The HVAC system may further comprise a thermal reservoir heater positioned in the conduit and including a thermal storage component configured to heat the air without using power from the battery.

A system and a method for heating a component of an electric vehicle may be particularly beneficial in cold weather places and/or during winter time. The vehicle may be primarily powered by a main battery. The system may include a supplementary battery being metal-air battery including an electrolyte, for extending the driving range of the electric vehicle and a reservoir tank for holding an electrolyte volume for the metal-air battery, the electrolyte may be heated to a desired temperature. The system may further include a heat exchanger for conveying heat from the electrolyte volume, said heat is conveyable to said passenger's cabin.

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for an electrically-powered vehicle (EV) having an electric motor powered by at least one battery is described. The HVAC system may comprise a blower, a conduit configured to carry air from the blower to vents leading to a passenger cabin of the EV, and an electric heater positioned in the conduit and configured to heat the air. The HVAC system may further comprise a thermal reservoir heater positioned in the conduit and including a thermal storage component configured to heat the air without using power from the battery.

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for an electrically-powered vehicle (EV) having an electric motor powered by at least one battery is described. The HVAC system may comprise a blower, a conduit configured to carry air from the blower to vents leading to a passenger cabin of the EV, and an electric heater positioned in the conduit and configured to heat the air. The HVAC system may further comprise a thermal reservoir heater positioned in the conduit and including a thermal storage component configured to heat the air without using power from the battery.

A vehicle solar system includes a solar module mounted on an exterior surface of a vehicle, the solar module including a solar panel and a cooling channel positioned in the solar panel; a heat storage tank thermally connected to the cooling channel of the solar module; and a panel radiator thermally connected to the heat storage tank.

A vehicle includes a battery, a duct through which air for cooling the battery flows, and a bumper, wherein an opening portion at an end of the duct faces an outer face of the duct inside the bumper.

In an aspect the current disclosure may describe a electric charging station for an electric vehicle. The electric charging station may include a charging cable, wherein the charging cable is configured to carry electricity and an energy source, wherein the energy source is electrically connected to the charging cable. The charging station may further include a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to generate temperature datum and a computing device. A computing device may be communicatively connected to the plurality of temperature regulating elements and the temperature sensor. The computing device may further be configured to receive the battery datum and regulate battery temperature and cabin temperature using the plurality of temperature regulating elements as a function of the temperature datum.

There is described systems and methods for managing the temperature of a battery in an electric vehicle. The system comprises a fuel-operated heater configured to heat a heat transfer fluid and an electric heater configured to heat the heat transfer fluid. The system also comprises control system configured to selectively operate the fuel-operated heater or the electric heater. The system also comprises a thermally insulated battery enclosure configured to receive heated heat transfer fluid to heat the battery. The control system may be configured to automatically select operation of the electric heater or the fuel-operated heater based at least in part on the state of charge of the battery of the electric vehicle, the location of the electric vehicle, the temperature outside the electric vehicle and/or the temperature of the battery of the electric vehicle.

The invention relates to an electrically operated vehicle containing an electrically rechargeable vehicle battery for supplying an electric drive for moving the vehicle; a tank for receiving a liquid or gaseous fuel; and a fuel cell which is operated using fuel from the tank for heating a passenger compartment, vehicle components, and/or the battery of the vehicle. The invention is characterized in that the tank and the fuel cell form modules with which the vehicle is retrofitted.