Heated seat belts can boost battery range

The Heat Belt — a new technology developed by German parts supplier ZF Group — is a heated seat belt that warms up a driver's body on a cold morning. But its bigger promise is to deliver longer-lasting batteries for electric vehicles. The seat belts work on conductors woven into their fabric that warm up to as much as 104 degrees in a few minutes. In addition to keeping drivers warm, ZF said Heat Belts can increase battery range by letting passengers warm up instantly in their own zone instead of cranking up the vehicle's heating system for the entire cabin — a practice that siphons away battery range. No word yet on the possibility of air-conditioned seat belts.