A post about "cooling a bedroom using an electric vehicle" recently sparked a heated discussion on Reddit.
A UK-based user shared that, in desperation as the bedroom temperature soared to 32°C, he discovered a 100mm flexible hose fit perfectly over the circular air vent of his MG ZS EV. By channeling the cold air indoors, he managed to keep the room below 22°C all night.
However, he also asked in the post if there were any risks involved, admitting that "the front of the car was indeed a bit hot this morning."
Europe is sweltering! A UK car owner uses a Chinese MG electric vehicle for a quick fix: a hose allows the house to share the car's air conditioning.
This "hardcore," DIY cooling solution triggered a lively debate; many netizens marveled at the owner's ingenuity, while others joked that he had "turned his car into a mobile outdoor AC unit" or remarked that it was the "first time seeing car air conditioning shared like this."
Europe is currently experiencing rare, extreme heat. In late June, the UK broke its record for the highest May temperature and subsequently set a new record for June, with temperatures in some areas approaching 40°C.
Furthermore, air conditioning penetration in European households is extremely low; only about 20% of homes across Europe are equipped with cooling systems-just 5% in the UK and a mere 3% in Germany.
This is because European summers have traditionally been mild, leading air conditioning to be viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity. Combined with high installation costs and strict building regulations, most UK households are left virtually defenseless against 40°C heatwaves.
The vehicle used by the Reddit user-the MG ZS EV-is a pure electric SUV from the MG brand, owned by SAIC Motor. In the UK, it is available in two versions: a 51kWh standard-range model and a 72kWh long-range model. It offers a maximum WLTP range of 273 miles (approx. 439 km) and supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) external power discharge.
Beyond powering external devices, the vehicle's battery can also run the air conditioning system. While idling a gasoline car to run the AC wastes fuel and poses a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, electric vehicles avoid these issues entirely, and the battery capacity is sufficient to keep the AC running all night.
Europe is sweltering! UK Car Owner Uses Chinese MG EV to Cool Home via Hose
London Drivers Face Fines for Using Car A/C While Parked
As a heatwave sweeps across the UK, many car owners have been choosing to sit in their parked vehicles with the air conditioning running to escape the heat. However, the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) has issued a warning: this practice could lead to fines, reaching up to £110 (approximately 1,070 RMB) in parts of London.
Rule 123 of the UK's Highway Code stipulates that vehicle engines must not be left idling unnecessarily while parked. This rule is enforced under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, making it a statutory offense. The RAC points out that idling a vehicle in one spot results in continuous exhaust emissions, thereby exacerbating air pollution.
Fine amounts vary depending on the enforcing authority. A ticket issued by the police carries a standard fine of £40, while one issued by civil enforcement officers is £80; however, the fine is halved if paid within 14 days of notification.
Some local authorities exercise greater powers and issue higher fines-for instance, the London Borough of Islington Council confirmed that its enforcement officers issue £110 fines to drivers who refuse to turn off their engines.
Rod Dennis, a senior policy officer at the RAC, stated: "Air conditioning is a game-changer for modern cars, turning what would otherwise be uncomfortable road trips into truly pleasant experiences. We would even advise owners of cars without air conditioning to postpone non-essential travel during this week's heatwave."
"But while we are all desperate to cool down, sitting stationary in a car with the engine and air conditioning running is not advisable; the resulting air pollution could land you with a fine from the police or civil enforcement officers."
Furthermore, this regulation presents a particularly awkward dilemma given the current heatwave. The UK Met Office has issued a rare red extreme heat warning for southern England, with temperatures in London approaching 40°C-repeatedly breaking historical records for June.
Meanwhile, the penetration rate of home air conditioning in the UK is only about 5%, meaning the vast majority of households lack any form of cooling equipment. For Britons without home air conditioning, car A/C has become virtually the only way to escape the heat; yet, running the engine while parked to keep the air conditioning on remains illegal.
In fact, the UK is not unaware of this contradiction. In 2019, Chris Grayling-then Transport Secretary in the Conservative government-announced plans to increase fines for idling, describing the crackdown as a "simple way to reduce dangerously high levels of pollution." However, the plan subsequently stalled and was never implemented.
