Preconditioning: prepare the battery before the plug
A battery may accept energy more effectively when it reaches the charging stop at an appropriate temperature. Preparing it on the way can be as important as choosing a powerful charger.
Canvas of Knowledge · 14 November 2026 · Illustrated explainerCHINESE EXAMPLE
Zeekr’s European 2024 software release notes describe manual battery preconditioning and improvements to preheating when navigating to a charger.
NORTH AMERICAN EXAMPLE
Tesla documents automatic battery preheating while approaching a Supercharger through Trip Planner. The feature depends on the vehicle’s software and navigation workflow.
ENERGY IS STILL USED
Heating or cooling consumes energy. The benefit depends on starting temperature, travel time, battery state and charging conditions; it does not guarantee a particular peak power or session duration.
THE IDEA TO KEEPChoose the charger in the car’s navigation when its instructions call for it, and follow the model-specific guidance.
Sources & further reading
Sources reviewed 14 November 2026. Specifications and availability depend on the product, market and date. Source organisations do not endorse this website.