Volkswagen Is Shipping Canadian ID.4s Without Heat Pumps, Citing Semiconductor Shortage
Volkswagen cites supply chain woes as the main reason for its lack of heat pumps.
If you’re in line for a Volkswagen ID.4, it may be missing an important feature to drivers in climates that regularly experience cold – a heat pump. In a story originally reported by Drive Tesla Canada, a VW ID.4 reservation holder told the outlet that Volkswagen would be shipping their specific ID.4 without a heat pump. The reservation holder wouldn’t be getting any money returned in hand, but the new invoice will have the item removed, reflecting the lower price the reservation holder will need to pay.
This only affects Canadian ID.4 buyers; the U.S. market ID.4 does not come with a heat pump. For those not in the know, a heat pump essentially is a reverse air conditioner; it moves warm air from the outside and pumps it in the inside. The result is a more efficient heater that uses less energy compared to the purely electric heaters found in models without the heat pump. The use of a heat pump means more range in cold weather.
The ID.4’s lack of a heat pump isn’t just affecting the ID.4; Audi has also canceled the heat pump on the mechanically related Q4 E-Tron. Both models cite the semiconductor supply chain shortage as why the option has been removed. Audi has given a $1,000 CAD credit to models that were initially supposed to have the option.
Instead of the heat pump, the affected Q4 E-Trons and Volkswagen ID.4’s will come with a resistive heater.
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Kevin has been obsessed with cars ever since he could talk. He even learned to read partially by learning and reading the makes and models on the back of cars, only fueling his obsession. Today, he is an automotive journalist and member of the Automotive Press Association. He is well-versed in electrification, hybrid cars, and vehicle maintenance.
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I would like to know why we are not hearing about other car manufacturers doing the same and not including heat pumps in their EVs. It seems that Volkswagon is the only manufacturer having this problem. Why is this? I have been waiting patiently for over a year for my ID4 and am now in a quandary as to what my next step will be as I live in what can sometimes be a very cold climate.