This estimator calculates the electricity-cost effect of using an EV heat pump for cabin heating. It compares heat-pump electricity consumption with resistance heating over a selected number of cold-weather trips.
The result can support seasonal operating-cost estimates for an individual vehicle or fleet. It excludes other winter efficiency effects and assumes the entered electricity rate applies to the energy used for heating.
1. Enter heat needed per trip
Use thermal energy, not electrical consumption.
2. Set effective COP
Choose a value appropriate to expected weather and system operation.
3. Add trip count
Enter the number of trips during the season or analysis period.
4. Price charging energy
Use the expected electricity rate and charging loss.
5. Review cost and savings
The headline reports heat-pump cost; the breakdown compares resistance heating.
Resistance heating is modeled with COP = 1.
The headline is the estimated electricity cost of producing the entered cabin heat with the heat pump over all trips.
Rates, COP, and heat demand may vary trip by trip; use weighted averages for a seasonal estimate.
Given: 8 kWh heat per trip, COP 2.5, 120 trips, $0.18/kWh, and 10% charging loss.
Calculation: Heat-pump battery energy = 8 / 2.5 × 120 = 384 kWh. Grid energy = 384 / 0.90 = 426.67 kWh. Cost = 426.67 × $0.18 = $76.80. Resistance cost = (8 × 120 / 0.90) × $0.18 = $192.00.
Result: Estimated heat-pump heating cost is $76.80, saving about $115.20.
Include any cabin or windshield heating load supplied by the heat pump in the average heat requirement.
Higher COP means more heat is produced per unit of electricity, lowering both energy use and cost.
Yes. Use a blended estimate or run separate scenarios for home AC and public DC charging.
No. It estimates operating electricity only.
Mild conditions need less heat, so there is less resistance-heating energy for the heat pump to displace.