FORVIA HELLA has introduced the Coolant Control Hub max (CCH max), an innovative system that simplifies thermal management in electric vehicles, improving efficiency and environmental performance.
The CCH max builds upon FORVIA HELLA’s existing Coolant Control Hub technology, using a water-glycol coolant circuit to regulate temperatures in the drivetrain, battery, and cabin. But the CCH max further optimises this process by significantly reducing reliance on the refrigerant system, this is achieved through a new, intelligent coolant distribution system.
The CCH max allows for individual temperature control of the battery and cabin by using the same water-glycol circuit. This is coupled with a heat pump system efficiently utilises various heat sources, including the environment, drivetrain, and refrigerant system itself. When other sources are insufficient, the refrigerant system can even generate its own heat.
CCH max eliminates the need for half of the usual coolant and refrigerant valves, and electric auxiliary heaters become unnecessary. It also reduces the overall weight of the thermal management system by up to 20%, leading to lower CO2 emissions and increased vehicle range.
It’s also more environmentally friendly, by minimising refrigerant use, it allows for safe and cost-effective adoption of natural refrigerants like propane or CO2. This eliminates the need for PFAS chemicals entirely.
FORVIA HELLA highlights the CCH max’s potential to accelerate electric vehicle adoption, as it helps to address key concerns like range, charging times, and affordability.