A Comparison Between Climate Control Systems Providing Thermal Comfort during Vehicle Stops

Expanding the temporal scope of air conditioning in cars is an important customer expectation. It must be available when the engine is off for climate control purposes (during “stop&start” operations or short parking) or for thermal comfort preparation (cabin pre-cooling). Different technical solutions can be classified according to the kind of energy storage they are based on. Regarding stop&start, many solutions are possible. The selection should be made in accordance with the hybridisation level of the vehicle. For parking cooling and pre-cooling, weight is the main issue. Thermal storage or electrical batteries can be used, but tens of kilograms are required. Auxiliary power units would be necessary to obtain full comfort in these conditions.