CES 2023: ZF pioneers heated seat belts to boost EV range
New seat belts are designed to reduce the energy used to heat your electric car, maximising rangeGerman automotive supplier ZF has launched new heated seat belt technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas that could increase the range of a typical electric car by up to 15 per cent in cold weather.
Designed to be used with the seat heaters, the new ZF heated seat belt is based on a special webbing that has embedded integrated heating conductors.
Claimed to be almost the same thickness as a regular belt, the new ZF heated belt is said to offer the same comfort as a normal seat belt but provide occupants with a uniform feeling of warmth.
In combination with heated seats, the new belts are claimed to provide close to body warmth almost immediately after the driver hits the road.
ZF says that this, in turn, means the driver can rely less on the climate control system that is the least efficient way of extracting heat.
The company has employed new textile processing methods that involve conductors woven into the seat belt structure.
To deal with the retraction of the belt, the electrical heating circuits are positioned so they won’t compromise safety, according to ZF.
ZF has not yet announced whether the belts are production-ready or provided any clues on partnerships with car brands for the technology.
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