The air conditioning system consumes a large amount of electricity and is therefore one of the most important fields of research for scientists looking for solutions to increase the range of purely electric cars.

In the new ID.7, the Volkswagen for the first time it uses an air conditioning system that cools or heats the interior of the car faster, before starting a journey.

Among other things, this is made possible thanks to electronically controlled air vents that distribute air throughout the interior of the vehicle as soon as the driver approaches with the key.

The new, intelligent automatic climate control system also reacts to voice commands and takes into account the position of the sun, as well as the user’s individual preferences. The result is a further improvement in comfort.

The ID.7 can activate the air conditioning system before passengers board the vehicle. The interior of the vehicle is cooled when temperatures are high and heated when the environment is cold.

If the door is opened in conditions of high outside temperatures, the intelligent vents in the cockpit quickly distribute the air, through dynamic horizontal movements, over a large surface. When passengers are seated inside, the airflow can be directed directly at their bodies, or used to indirectly air the cabin, depending on preference.

The ID.7’s climate control function is at the base of the new 15-inch infotainment screen. This means that it is always visible and can be activated with a simple tap of the finger. Using the air conditioning context menu, the smart air vents can also be controlled digitally.

In this case, the strength and direction of the air movements can be adjusted intuitively and stored individually. Additionally, the temperature can be controlled via backlit touch switches.

The digitally controlled air conditioning system can also be activated by voice control. The associated wishes are stored as Smart Climates. For example, the driver can activate the steering wheel heating via the voice command Hello Volkswagen, my hands are cold. The air conditioning system will activate the function that directs warm air to his hands for about five minutes.

When automatic climate control is activated, the system reacts to the external environment. For example, a sensor in the windshield area detects the angle of incidence of sunlight in conditions with high outside temperatures and high solar intensity. If the sun shines brightly on one of the two sides of the vehicle, the ID.7 adjusts the intensity of the air flow, being more intense in the warmer areas: first towards the corresponding side of the cabin and then, in a second step, towards the passengers.