One of the best but less well-known aspects of electric cars is preconditioning, a feature that can be advantageous on a cold winter’s morning or a sweltering summer’s afternoon.
In simple terms, preconditioning allows you to adjust the cabin temperature of the automobile before you leave. This not only enhances your comfort but also increases the car’s driving range and battery life. So, how does it operate?
You can initiate preconditioning using the infotainment system in the car or a linked smartphone app. By scheduling your daily departure hours, the car will automatically adjust its temperature to your preferred setting. All you have to do is get in and drive.
Importantly, the driving range is unaffected by the fact that, when the automobile is plugged in, electricity is drawn from the mains rather than the vehicle. Your battery is fully charged when you embark on your excursion. This means you won’t have to waste time clearing or defrosting the windows when you enter the interior of the automobile because they won’t be covered with mist or ice.
While preconditioning doesn’t increase mileage, it maintains the anticipated range available at the beginning of the trip. You’ll use less energy as you won’t need to run the air conditioner on high. For solo travellers, we recommend using the heated seat and steering wheel (if equipped) as they consume less electricity than warming the entire cabin.
It’s crucial to remember that a cold battery can lower electric range by as much as 30%, a significant impact especially in winter. The electrochemical processes that power lithium-ion batteries slow down in colder climates, causing the battery to use less energy and run out of charge faster.
Preconditioning, by using mains power to preheat the battery to its ideal temperature, helps protect the cells. Longer battery life and the preservation of the vehicle’s potential range are the results of this process. Certain advanced EVs, like the Porsche Taycan, automatically heat or cool the battery while in motion to maintain it at the ideal temperature.
To understand how preconditioning operates in your specific electric vehicle, check the manual or online resources. It could significantly enhance your EV experience and help you get the most out of your electric vehicle.
