Global NEV Thermal Management Market Sees Shift Toward Integration and Intelligence

Heat Pump Systems Gain Traction in NEV Market

According to the report, as of 2024, 368 new energy passenger car models are available, including 240 battery electric vehicles (EVs), 106 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and 22 range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs). Among these, 47.5% of EVs, 6.6% of PHEVs, and 4.5% of REEVs are equipped with heat pump systems.

Between January and June 2024, 4.689 million NEV passenger cars were sold, with heat pump-equipped models accounting for 31.3% of total sales. Another 6.4% featured mid-to-high configuration heat pump systems, while 62.3% relied on PTC heating systems instead.

Price competition among manufacturers has led to a decline in the cost of heat pump systems, making them more accessible. Sales data for EVs equipped with heat pumps in China during the first half of 2024 show:

• RMB 200,000–250,000 price range: 586,000 units (37.6% of total sales)
• RMB 100,000–150,000 price range: 354,000 units (22.7%)
• RMB 150,000–200,000 price range: 207,000 units (13.2%)

OEMs Drive Innovation with Advanced Systems

Leading automakers are adopting more sophisticated thermal management strategies to enhance efficiency.

• Li Auto employs a multi-port valve + heat pump + waste heat recovery approach, integrating 16 main components into a thermal management module that simplifies system design.
• BYD’s ‘16-in-1’ integrated system, part of its e-platform 3.0, enhances energy efficiency by directly managing temperature exchange between the cabin, battery, and drivetrain.
• Neta Auto’s Haozhi Thermal Control system improves winter driving range by up to 20% with heat pump air conditioning.

Intelligent Thermal Management and Emerging Technologies

The integration of thermal management controllers (TMCs) is a key industry trend, with EVPT’s TMM module featuring an NXP FS32K146 chip and meeting ISO26262 ASIL-B functional safety standards. These controllers consolidate various functions, including water pump drive, solenoid valve control, and OBD diagnosis, leading to reduced system costs and improved reliability.

Zonal architectures are also reshaping vehicle power and communication structures, integrating electronic expansion valves, water pumps, and sensors into centralized control units. This approach enhances system intelligence and reduces ECU failure rates.

New sensing technologies further improve thermal management efficiency. TDK’s integrated temperature and pressure sensor and Melexis’ MLX90834 MEMS digital pressure sensor provide real-time monitoring, optimizing energy distribution in NEVs.

Key Market Players

The report identifies major thermal management system suppliers, including Denso, MAHLE, Valeo, Hanon, and Sanden, alongside automotive manufacturers such as Tesla, BYD, NIO, Li Auto, and Volkswagen.

As the NEV market grows, the demand for reliable, cost-effective, and intelligent thermal management systems will continue to shape future developments.

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