Do electric cars need radiators?

Most electric cars have cooling systems that include radiators or heat exchangers. These components circulate coolant to keep the battery, motor, and power electronics within a safe temperature range, preventing overheating and ensuring reliable performance in hot and cold conditions.

Modern electric vehicles (EVs) rely on liquid-cooling loops, heat pumps, and chillers to manage heat from charging, driving, and climate control. This article explains how EV radiators work, how they differ from those in petrol and diesel cars, and what maintenance drivers should expect.

Do electric cars have radiators?

Electric cars have radiators, but they look and function a little differently from gasoline vehicles. Instead of cooling a combustion engine, EV radiators and heat exchangers help regulate the temperature of the battery pack, electric motor, and power electronics, preventing overheating and protecting range and charging performance.

What parts of an electric car generate heat?

Even without a combustion engine, electric cars still produce heat that must be managed. The battery pack generates heat during charging and discharging, the electric motor warms up under load, and the inverter or power electronics create heat as they convert energy. Onboard chargers and other auxiliary systems also add to the thermal load.

If this heat is not controlled, the car can overheat, lose efficiency, or experience reduced battery life. That’s why electric vehicles use coolant, radiators, and heat exchangers to maintain safe operating temperatures in various driving conditions.

How do electric car cooling systems work?

Most electric cars use liquid-cooling loops with radiators, pumps, and hoses to keep components at safe operating temperatures. Coolant flows through the battery, motor, and power electronics, absorbing heat before passing through a radiator or heat exchanger at the front of the vehicle. Fans and airflow then release this heat into the outside air.

Modern EVs often have multiple cooling circuits: a high-temperature loop for the motor and inverter, a low-temperature loop for the battery, and sometimes a refrigerant chiller that links to the air conditioning system. This design ensures efficient cooling in hot conditions and stable performance during rapid charging or long drives.

Do Teslas and other modern EVs still have radiators?

Yes, modern electric cars, including Tesla models, use radiators or heat exchangers as part of their thermal management requirements. These radiators in electric vehicles are connected to coolant loops that absorb heat from the battery, electric motor, and power electronic circuits. Airflow through radiator grilles helps dissipate heat into the ambient air, just as in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, though the purpose is different.

While EVs lack traditional cars’ large engine cooling systems, they still require radiators to maintain optimal battery temperature and protect performance during fast charging, long trips, or hot weather.

What is a heat pump or Octovalve in an EV?

Some electric vehicles, such as Tesla models, use advanced thermal management systems like the Octovalve. This unit connects multiple cooling loops and the cabin’s air conditioning system to recycle heat and improve efficiency. The heat pump doesn’t replace radiators; instead, it works with them to transfer heat where needed.

This integration helps lower the temperature of battery packs and electric motors in hot conditions while warming the cabin or battery in cold weather. Such systems allow electric cars to operate without radiators that only serve one function, making thermal management more efficient and extending the vehicle’s lifespan.

Air cooling vs liquid cooling in electric vehicles

Early electric cars like the first-generation Nissan Leaf relied on air cooling systems to manage battery heat. These designs used ambient air to cool the battery packs and electric components, but struggled in hot climates and during rapid charging. Without radiators or liquid cooling, battery lifespan and performance were reduced.

Modern electric vehicles almost always use liquid cooling systems instead. A radiator system with coolant loops absorbs heat from the battery and power electronic circuits, then dissipates that heat through radiator grilles and cooling fins. This approach provides much more effective battery thermal management, ensuring stable operation during high loads and fast charging.

The shift from air to liquid cooling reflects the increasing thermal management needs of EV batteries and electric motors. While internal combustion engines require radiators for engine cooling, electric vehicles need radiators to maintain optimal battery temperature and support safe, efficient driveability.

How hot do EV batteries get, and why coolant matters

EV batteries generate heat as they charge, discharge, and power the electric motor. Most battery packs and electric components perform best when the temperature is about 20–40 °C. Heat can rise quickly without effective thermal management systems, especially during rapid charging or in hot ambient conditions.

Liquid cooling mechanisms in EVs use coolant loops and radiators to absorb heat from the battery and electronics. This heat transfer helps maintain optimal temperatures, protecting the cells from overheating and extending battery lifespan. If coolant levels drop or airflow through radiator grilles is blocked by debris, the cooling mechanism in electric cars may not dissipate heat properly, triggering dashboard warnings.

A properly functioning radiator with the right coolant helps cool the battery, prevents damage, and ensures the electric vehicle remains safe and reliable in all conditions.

What maintenance does an EV cooling system need?

Although electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than traditional combustion vehicles, but they still require maintenance of cooling systems. The Australian government’s guide for electric vehicle maintenance suggests checking radiators and coolant systems in EVs to ensure battery thermal management efficiency. Over time, coolant levels can drop, fins can become blocked by debris, or leaks may develop in hoses around the battery pack and power electronic circuits.

A typical EV coolant service may involve a flush of the liquid cooling system to remove rust, sludge, or other build-up. Technicians will inspect radiator fins, pressure caps, and coolant loops to confirm they dissipate heat correctly. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles that needed engine cooling for fuel and air combustion, electric cars need a radiator system to maintain battery temperature and protect the converter, inverter, and electric motor from excess heat.

Signs of cooling issues in EVs include temperature warnings on the dashboard, reduced charging speed, or excessive fan noise from behind the grille. Addressing these problems early helps bring down battery heat, maintain optimal performance, and extend the battery’s and electronics’ lifespan.

How do EV radiators differ from petrol and diesel cars?

Radiators in electric vehicles serve a different purpose than traditional radiator types in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. While ICE vehicles need a radiator to remove heat from fuel and air combustion inside the engine block, EVs need radiators to manage battery thermal management, motor cooling, and power electronic circuits.

The table below highlights the key differences:

Both systems use radiators, but while ICE radiators manage engine cooling, radiators in electric vehicles are critical to EV thermal management systems, protecting range and lifespan without traditional combustion.

When should you see a specialist?

EV drivers should book a service if they notice dashboard temperature warnings, coolant leaks under the vehicle, or reduced charging performance. Other signs include radiator grilles blocked by debris, unusually loud cooling fans, or visible corrosion on radiator fins. These symptoms suggest the EV cooling loop is not eliminating heat properly, which can shorten the lifespan of battery packs and electric motors.

Natrad technicians are trained to service radiators in electric vehicles, inspect coolant systems, and carry out safe flushes and pressure tests. With nationwide coverage, Natrad provides expert radiator services to protect EV batteries, converters, and thermal management systems. If you’re based in Victoria, you can also book directly with Natrad Melbourne or choose your nearest workshop across Australia.