Do cars still have radiators?
Yes. Most vehicles with internal combustion engines still rely on radiators as part of a liquid cooling system. Electric vehicles also use radiator-like heat exchangers to manage battery and motor temperatures. This article explains how radiators fit into today’s engines and powertrains, and what changes are shaping the landscape.
Radiators in traditional internal-combustion engines
In conventional cars powered by gasoline or diesel engines, the radiator is a central ally in keeping the engine from overheating. The following details summarize how they work and what you’ll typically see in a modern car.
How the cooling system works in ICE cars
The cooling system circulates coolant through the engine to absorb heat, then passes it through a radiator where air flow removes that heat. A network of components supports this loop: the water pump pushes coolant, the thermostat regulates flow, and electric or mechanical fans pull air through the radiator.
- The radiator dissipates heat from the engine coolant as air passes through the finned tubes, lowering the coolant temperature before it returns to the engine.
- A network of components supports the cooling loop: the water pump circulates coolant, the thermostat regulates flow, and electric or mechanical fans pull air through the radiator.
- Most cars have at least one radiator, but some high-performance or heavy-duty applications include additional radiators (oil coolers, transmission coolers or intercoolers) to manage extra heat sources.
- The radiator is typically located at the front of the vehicle, behind the grille, where incoming air can pass through it as the car moves or with the help of cooling fans.
- Common materials include aluminum cores with plastic tanks; modern designs emphasize lightweight construction and improved heat transfer via optimized fin patterns.
In short, despite advances in materials and designs, radiators remain a staple in traditional ICE vehicles, handling engine and sometimes ancillary cooling duties.
Radiators and cooling in electric vehicles and hybrids
Electric propulsion shifts the focus from engine cooling to thermal management of the battery pack and electric motors. Yet radiators or radiator-like devices still play a critical role in most EVs and some hybrids.
EV and hybrid cooling overview
EVs typically route coolant through the battery pack and motor/inverter cooling loops, with a heat exchanger (radiator or multiple radiators) to transfer heat to ambient air. The size and configuration of the cooling hardware vary with battery size, vehicle design, and climate performance; some cars use dual or segmented radiators and additional heat exchangers for the pack and the drivetrain.
- EVs typically route coolant through the battery pack and motor/inverter cooling loops, with a heat exchanger (radiator or multiple radiators) to transfer heat to ambient air.
- The size and configuration of the cooling hardware vary with battery size, vehicle design, and climate performance; some cars use dual or segmented radiators and additional heat exchangers for the pack and the drivetrain.
- Battery cooling is often paired with a climate control system; many modern EVs use heat pumps to reduce energy use for cabin heating, indirectly affecting cooling demand.
- Some redesigned EVs have smaller or partially active front grilles because less engine cooling is needed, but the thermal management system still relies on radiators or equivalent heat exchangers behind the grille or in a dedicated compartment.
- Hybrid vehicles commonly maintain an engine cooling radiator plus battery and/or inverter cooling elements, so the vehicle may host multiple cooling paths and radiators.
So, do electric vehicles still have radiators? Yes, but their function centers on battery and motor cooling rather than engine cooling, with system architectures that vary across models.
Common questions and future trends
There are a few misunderstandings worth clarifying as technology evolves. Below are common questions and the current state of play across ICE, hybrid, and full-electric vehicles.
Debunking common myths
- Do EVs have no radiators? Not exactly. They rely on heat exchangers that function like radiators to shed heat from batteries and power electronics, though the exact layout varies by model.
- Are radiators disappearing in new cars? The need to manage heat remains essential, but the design of radiators and heat exchangers is evolving, with more integrated and compact solutions, especially in EVs.
- Are there alternatives to radiator-based cooling? Some engines use air cooling in niche applications, and some cooling circuits use separate condensers or oil coolers; however, liquid cooling with heat exchangers remains standard for most modern vehicles.
In all cases, advanced thermal management is central to performance, efficiency, and longevity, whether for an internal combustion engine or a battery-powered drivetrain.
Summary
Radiators remain a fixture in modern cars, regardless of propulsion type. In ICE vehicles, they cool the engine and related components; in EVs and hybrids, they primarily handle battery, inverter, motor cooling, and sometimes supplementary oil or intercooler circuits. The trend is toward more compact, efficient, and integrated cooling systems that maximize energy efficiency while protecting components under various driving conditions.
