Do all vehicles have a radiator?

Radiators are not universal. No—some vehicles rely on air cooling and have no engine radiator, while the vast majority of modern vehicles use liquid cooling that includes a radiator.

To understand why radiators exist, what they do, and which vehicles use them (and which don't), it's helpful to look at engine cooling principles, technology trends, and real-world examples across cars, motorcycles, trucks, and even electric vehicles.

How vehicle cooling works: liquid cooling vs air cooling

Most internal combustion engines generate a lot of heat. In a liquid-cooled system, coolant circulates through the engine to absorb heat and then flows to a radiator, where air flowing through the radiator fins carries that heat away. A thermostat, water pump, and cooling fans regulate the temperature to keep the engine within a safe range. By contrast, air-cooled engines rely on metal fins and direct airflow to shed heat from the engine itself, without circulating liquid coolant through a radiator.

What counts as a radiator in a vehicle?

The term radiator is most often used for the engine cooling radiator, a heat exchanger that dumps heat from liquid coolant to ambient air. Some vehicles also use radiators for cooling refrigerant in the air conditioning system (the condenser), and electric vehicles use radiators to shed heat from batteries and power electronics. All of these components serve a similar purpose—removing heat to keep systems within safe operating temperatures.

Vehicles that typically have engine radiators

Below is a general guide to which vehicle types commonly include an engine radiator as part of their cooling system.

• Most gasoline- and diesel-powered passenger cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks with liquid-cooled engines


• Most hybrids and plug-in hybrids that still have internal combustion engines or heat management loops for the drivetrain


• Electric vehicles that rely on liquid cooling for battery, motor, and inverter components (these typically include radiators or heat exchangers to reject heat)

In these vehicles, the engine radiator is essential for keeping the engine or powertrain at safe temperatures during operation.

Vehicles that may not use a traditional engine radiator

There are several categories where a conventional liquid-cooled engine radiator is not used, or is not the primary heat rejection method.

• Vehicles with air-cooled engines, such as classic cars (for example, early Volkswagen Beetles) and many air-cooled motorcycles


• Some small engines and equipment (lawn mowers, generators, and chainsaws) that rely on air cooling or oil cooling rather than a radiator


• Piston aircraft and some older or specialized vehicles that rely on air cooling rather than liquid cooling

Despite the absence of an engine radiator, many of these vehicles still require cooling for other systems (for example, air conditioning condensers or oil coolers), which use radiator-like heat exchangers.

Radiators in electric and fuel-cell vehicles

Electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles still need cooling, but the design differs from a traditional engine radiator. EVs typically use one or more liquid cooling loops to manage battery, motor, inverter, and sometimes cabin heat. These loops often route through radiators or heat exchangers to dissipate heat into the air. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also require cooling for the fuel cell stack and supporting systems, and they use radiators or similar heat-exchanging components for this purpose. The arrangement can involve multiple radiators or compact assemblies depending on the vehicle design.

Other heat management components you may encounter

Beyond the main engine radiator, vehicles may feature additional radiators or heat exchangers for other systems.

• Air conditioning condenser: a radiator-like device that rejects heat from the refrigerant in front of the radiator, often sharing airflow with the engine cooling radiator


• Oil coolers: heat exchangers that remove heat from engine or transmission oil via coolant or air flows


• Intercoolers and secondary heat exchangers: used in turbocharged engines or electric powertrains to manage heat from compressed air or electrical components

These components help maintain performance and longevity by managing heat in various subsystems.

Summary

In summary, most modern liquid-cooled vehicles use a radiator as part of the engine cooling system, including many hybrids and electric powertrains. However, vehicles with air-cooled engines—historical or specialized—do not use a traditional engine radiator. Regardless of cooling method, all vehicles require some form of heat rejection for various subsystems, and in many cases that means radiator-like components such as condensers and oil coolers.

Where is the radiator located in a car?

The car's radiator is located at the front of the engine compartment, behind the front grille. It is designed to be in this position to receive airflow from the front of the vehicle, which helps cool the engine's coolant. 
This video shows the location of the radiator in a car and how to replace it: 41sRatchets And WrenchesYouTube · Apr 25, 2022

• Location: The radiator sits behind the grille and in front of the engine. 
• Function: It is a heat exchanger that uses air flowing through its fins to cool the liquid coolant that circulates through the engine. 
• Cooling process: The cooled liquid then circulates back through the engine to absorb more heat, and the cycle repeats to keep the engine from overheating. 
• Airflow: Its position at the very front of the car maximizes the amount of cool air that can pass through it. A cooling fan may also be used to pull air through it, especially when the vehicle is stationary. 

What cars have no radiators?

The Trabant 601, VW Beetle and Ebatta are air cooled and therefore have no radiator.

Do modern cars still have radiators?

Yes, most cars still have radiators because they are essential for cooling internal combustion engines (ICE) and, in hybrid and electric vehicles, for cooling batteries and other components. Radiators are no longer found in cars that use air-cooled engines, but these are now rare.
 
Why cars still use radiators

• Cooling engines: Radiators are a critical part of the liquid-cooling system for ICEs, dissipating heat generated by the engine's combustion and friction. The coolant circulates through the engine, absorbs the heat, and is then cooled by the air passing through the radiator before it circulates back to the engine. 
• Cooling electric and hybrid components: Radiators are also used in electric and hybrid vehicles to cool batteries and other electrical components that can generate heat, note this YouTube video and this YouTube video. 
• Other uses: Radiators are also used as condensers in air conditioning systems. 

What about electric vehicles (EVs)?

• While traditional ICE vehicles will always need radiators, their use in EVs is a declining trend. 
• Radiators are still used in EVs to cool the batteries and other components. 
• Some modern EVs do not need radiators because they do not have an ICE. 

What about cars without radiators?

• Air-cooled engines do not have radiators. Instead, they rely on air flowing over fins on the engine to cool down. 
• Historically, cars like the Volkswagen Beetle were air-cooled. However, almost all modern cars are liquid-cooled and require radiators. 

Why are radiators no longer used?

Radiators are still used, but modern heating systems like forced-air systems are more common in new construction due to factors like installation cost, convenience, and modern radiator limitations. However, many modern radiators exist that address old drawbacks like being bulky or inefficient, and they are still preferred by some for their ability to provide consistent, non-drying heat without blowing air through the house.
 
Reasons why modern heating systems are more common

• Cost and convenience: Forced-air systems are often cheaper and easier to install in new buildings than radiator systems. 
• Energy efficiency: Modern systems can be more efficient, with better insulation and less energy wasted in the distribution system. 
• Aesthetics: Older radiators were bulky and took up a lot of space, while some newer systems are designed to be more discreet. 

Reasons why radiators are still used or preferred

• Comfort: Many people prefer the consistent, non-drying heat of radiators over the "blow-dryer" effect of forced-air systems. 
• Less drying: Radiators heat air through convection, which does not dry out the air as much as forced-air systems, leading to less dry skin and chapped lips. 
• Modern improvements: Modern radiators are available in various styles and sizes, and they often have more precise controls and higher efficiency than older models. 
• Inertia of old systems: Many old homes have existing radiator systems that are still functional, though they can be costly to replace, say Reddit users.