Thermal management wins the day in Norwegian El Prix
- PostedPublished 19 September 2024
Just before Human Horizons ran into financial difficulties, paused production for six months and approached Changan Automobile about a potential rescue bid, its HiPhi Z model emerged as the winter efficiency champion among electric vehicles at the world’s largest electric car test, the biannual “El Prix” in Norway, due to its impressive thermal management system.

Battling the chilling temperatures with resilience, this EV outshone 23 competitors by covering an impressive 522km on a test route featuring a range of challenging conditions, from -11°C to +4°C, including the rugged Dovrefjell mountains and the fierce storm “Ingunn,” the most powerful storm to hit Norway in 30 years.
These varied elements tested the capabilities of the vehicles, simulating tough real-world driving scenarios.

Participating vehicles included popular models such as the BYD Dolphin, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Audi Q8 e-tron, Volvo C40 Recharge, BMW i5, and Ford F-150 Lightning.
According to the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) which organises the event with Motor magazine, the HiPhi Z was a standout performer, boasting a deviation of just 5.9 per cent from its certified WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) range figure.

This exceptional result far exceeded expectations, with the HiPhi Z only falling short by 33km from its advertised 555km range.
By contrast, competitors like Toyota’s bZ4X yielded a 31.9 per cent range reduction (from 572km to 395km), Polestar’s 2 Long Range returned a 30 per cent decrease (from 614km to 430km), and Tesla’s facelifted Model 3 ‘Highland’ was not far behind with a 29.9 per cent range dip under testing (from 629km to 441km).
The success of the HiPhi Z has been attributed to its in-house-developed thermal management system.

Here, the battery, CrossLoop energy management system, and cloud battery management system seamlessly work together to integrate the air-conditioning heat pump and battery thermal management system, enabling rapid adjustments in cabin and battery temperature.
All this is said to yield as much as a 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption compared to other electric vehicles, particularly in severe weather conditions, resulting in a significantly extended battery range.
Proving its thermal management technology against established rivals during the El Prix highlights both the outstanding performance of the HiPhi Z in challenging weather conditions and the advancements in electric vehicle technology achieved by Chinese automakers.

Assessing the range of electric vehicles proves challenging, as figures from controlled settings may not accurately represent real-world driving conditions.
The top five performers in the range test included three Chinese models: the NIO ET5 Touring (481.4km) and Lotus Eletre (464.6km), as well as the Nio EL6 with 456km.
Driving an EV until the battery is fully depleted is the most reliable method to determine its actual range. The outcomes of the El Prix are therefore crucial for the electric vehicle sector, providing valuable insights into the performance of various models in challenging conditions and setting new benchmarks for consumers regarding the range and dependability of electric vehicles.
- CategoriesIn SightGlass
- Tagselectric vehicles, EV, SightGlass News Issue 33, thermal management