Preconditioning is one of the most effective tools EV drivers have for managing cold-weather performance — and one of the least understood features among people who haven't owned an EV.
Preconditioning refers to the ability to remotely command an EV — via a smartphone app or a scheduled timer — to warm (or cool) the cabin and battery while the vehicle is still connected to a charger. The energy for this comes from the electrical grid, not the battery. The result: the driver gets into a warm car with a warm battery and a full charge, having consumed none of the vehicle's stored range in the process.
The practical implications are significant. Range anxiety in winter is substantially reduced because the battery is starting at its optimal operating temperature rather than being depleted by cabin heating. Charging efficiency is improved because a warm battery charges faster and accepts more energy. Interior defrosting and comfort are handled before the trip begins.
For drivers in northern Canadian climates who are accustomed to remote-starting a gasoline vehicle to warm it in the morning, preconditioning is a directly analogous feature — with the added benefit of warming the battery as well as the cabin.