Turning on the air conditioning in an electric car can cost up to 20% of its efficiency. This summer in Europe, record temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius have been recorded, which translates into an endurance test for vehicle performance. Thermal management has become a critical requirement for safety and performance. Facing this challenge, ILPEA presents solutions that meet our customers’ needs.
Engineering for a Sustainable and Heat-Resistant Future
The first challenge appears right inside the cabin. The heat forces air conditioning systems to work endlessly and at maximum capacity. To achieve this, every component must stay within its optimal temperature range while simultaneously generating a pleasant environment for passengers.
In electric vehicles, cooling systems are slightly more complex than in conventional engine vehicles. The battery must be cooled or heated depending on the moment. The high specific thermal capacity allows the coolant to absorb a great deal of heat. The coolant can also be used to distribute heat very flexibly within the vehicle. When the coolant absorbs heat, its temperature rises and it must be cooled, and that is exactly where our thermal management systems come into play.
When Heat Becomes More Than Just an Inconvenience
This scenario repeats itself every summer, but with greater intensity each year. Heatwaves have become the normality; they are something manufacturers must take for granted when designing any thermal component. This completely changes the requirements: it is no longer enough for a system to perform well under normal conditions. It has to resist extreme peaks repeatedly, summer after summer, without losing reliability. This is where thermal management stops being a matter of comfort and becomes a matter of safety.
To prevent any accidents, our PPS Thermal Management and TPV Thermal Management fluid lines guarantee that the coolant circulates constantly and without pressure drops, withstanding sharp thermal peaks without losing structural integrity. Added to this are the tube protective channels, which protect against impact or friction, and the degassing systems, which are key to safely releasing any pressure that builds up inside the battery module.
Sealing profiles also play a role that goes beyond preventing water or dust from entering: they function as passive thermal regulators. By sealing windows, sunroofs, windshields, etc., they insulate the interior from the heat of the outside air, maintaining the temperature achieved by the air conditioning. By keeping the cabin and critical engine zones airtight, they prevent unwanted heat transfers: less load for the air conditioning, lower battery consumption, and a vehicle that operates safely even on the hottest days.
A Commitment That Goes Beyond a Season
At ILPEA, we believe that vehicle components should be designed with the real world in mind — not only for extreme summer days, but for every condition a vehicle may face throughout its lifespan.
That is why we do not develop thermal management solutions or sealing systems as one-time answers to heat. Instead, every component — from sealing profiles to degassing systems — is engineered to work as part of a wider system, helping maintain the right balance between safety, efficiency and comfort.
Every day. In every season. On every journey.
