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If run on electric at highway speed in a hybrid car. How does the engine generate heat for cold temps?

how does a hybrid car keep the engine temp high enough to keep me warm in the car on days like today when it was -20 when I went to work?

Public Comments

1. I would guess it works similar to a space heater. either that, or the engine is always warm enough to produce heat
2. ITS CALLED A HEATER COIL. PRETTY MUCH A METAL COIL WITH A ELECTRIC CURRENT GOING THROUGH IT. LIKE A SPACE HEATER IN YOUR HOUSE.
3. None of todays hybrids will run on pure electric at highway speeds. The engine will be running. Engineering the correct cooling package based on expected engine load will keep the engine temp in a normal range. This is also important for the engine as they are built to run at approx. 200 deg. F. The metals and the fluids need to be at operating temp.
4. Hybrids will run the gas engine for heat when needed. For example: If you were just sitting still with the heat off the engine will not run at all but if you were to turn the heat on the gas engine will kick on to generate heat from the engine. Same goes for the air conditioning...when you need it cooler the engine will kick on to run the compressor for the air.
5. Hi, this is actually more of a detailed question than it might seem, stay with me... All hybrids will run the internal combustion engine (ICE) at highway speeds. And there are several factors that will determine whether the ICE will turn on, even when sitting still, -20 or not. The main thing an ICE produces is heat (internal combustion). There is no issue with producing enough heat for the cabin. Depending on the type of hybrid, the gas engine either runs only when needed or it runs continuously when the vehicle moves. Full hybrids, like the Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, do not have the air conditioning system or the heat pumps (they move heat from the ICE into the cabin) linked to the ICE. In other words, it can be 90 degrees outside, but the ICE does not have to run to have the air conditioning working. However, in cold temperatures, especially below freezing, the ICE will run pretty much continually to provide heat for the cabin, even if the vehicle is sitting still. And at highway speeds, the ICE will run continuously to provide energy for momentum, no matter what type of hybrid it is. One other detail, air conditioning compressors produce dry air (think of a window air unit in the summer and the water dripping out of one corner). Air conditioning compressors are linked to the defroster to provide dry air to blow on the front windows to clear them faster. This air can be warmed by the ICE, or cooled by fans for summer relief. So you will have the air conditioning compressor turning on in the winter when the temp gets below freezing to help clear the windows. This will eventually cause the ICE to turn on for added heat, even when sitting still. Mileage on a hybrid will go down in cold temperatures because of the ICE providing heat for the cabin, and because there is more material (snow, slush, de-icing solutions) on the road to impede the turning of the wheels. Hybrids use specialty tires, just like SUV's, trucks, and sports sedans/coupes, called low-rolling resistance tires. These tires are designed to turn as easily as possible (mostly because of a strengthened sidewall). BTW, every vehicle's mileage goes down in the winter because of "sticky, slushy" roads. Tires that aren't able to roll as easily take more energy to rotate. That is one of the main reasons to check and maintain your tire pressure, no matter what time of the year it is. Small amounts add up. Full hybrids don't get as high a mileage at highway speeds because of the ICE running more. They excel at city/stop-and-go driving, which is where the ICE can shut off and the electric portion is moving the vehicle. That is why the city mpg is higher than the highway mpg on a full hybrid. If you see a hybrid and the city mpg is lower than the highway, it is not a full hybrid, meaning the ICE has to run anytime the vehicle moves. If a vehicle with low city/high highway is on your short list to consider, it is better than a standard vehicle in emissions, but not necessarily in mileage (the Honda Accord Hybrid versus the current Honda Civic Hybrid, for example). But your best choice for both is a full hybrid. Good luck.