Block heater alternative (or EV interior heater)
 

We install a product by the name of Webasto Blueheat at work. I am not trying to sell these for them just so you know.

They actually are an amazing product, they act like a remote start by warming your engine and interior. But without running your engine, they have small unit that heats your coolant and runs your interior heat. They use fuel from your vehicle to do so but only .16gal/hr on full and .08gal/hr on reduced.

Here is some more info on these, we put them in the Ambulances we do remounts on. Blueheat

They also have interior heaters that could possibly be put to use with an EV! You would just have to have a very small fuel supply tank for them like maybe 2 gallon or less. They only burn .06gal/hr on full and .03gal/hr on reduced.

Just though I would share.

Wow, sounds awesome. However it doesn't appear that it is available for purchase to self install, correct?

No they have to be installed at a dealer is the only catch. But they did come factory on Sprinter vans and some BMW's, Mercedes and others so check salvage yards. I occasionally see them on e-bay as well. They are kinda pricey but work forever.

interesting. instead of electricity for a block heater, or a interior heater (some types illegal in some states) it uses gasoline... I can see a fairly narrow field of need for this, but need indeed.

Cool. I could want this....

Didn't they used to install those on air-cooled VW's? The topic of Webastos comes up once in a while on the EVDL, but I guess it feels kinda dirty heating an EV with fossil fuels. :-)

Would it run on Ethanol? I mean pure, 100%?