In recent years, EVs are becoming really popular in the automotive industry. Almost all automobile brands are upgrading their EVs to cater to the increasing demand and shifting standards of the automotive industry. As for useful features, preconditioning is one of the features commonly seen in modern EVs.
With the preconditioning feature, drivers can optimise the battery and cabin temperature before driving it. This helps preserve the car battery’s health and mileage range. Along with this, it also helps maintain your cabin temperature for a comfortable driving experience.
The feature for preconditioning in modern EVs is often met with certain queries. Let us now move forward to what they are and how they may be solved.
What is Preconditioning in Cars?
Preconditioning is a convenient feature for those owning electric cars. It is a modality of modern electric cars which helps in bringing the temperature to the optimum level before initiating the journey. Whether it is pre-cooling or preheating of cabin or battery, preconditioning caters to all.
How Preconditioning Works
Preconditioning is a feature that enables you to optimise the cabin and battery temperature of your electric car and helps in the smooth and efficient operation of EVs by retaining the car’s battery and improving its performance.
To initiate preconditioning, first, turn on the preconditioning feature. You can schedule a specific time for your car along with a specified level of temperature to precondition prior to the journey via a smartphone app if it’s available or by simply going through the options in a car’s information system.
For instance: If your electric car is parked in an open environment without shade. The external temperature will increase the battery temperature thus reducing its efficiency and performance. Here, preconditioning will help you set up the optimum temperature of your battery to ensure hassle-free driving.
If you charge your vehicle using DC Fast Chargers or Superchargers at Tesla car charging stations, then it will initiate the Tesla preconditioning automatically, if the option is set up.
It is suggested to precondition your car while charging. In this scenario, the energy required to optimise the temperature will be drawn from the external outlet and not the car’s battery resulting in increased battery range.
Benefits of Preconditioning in Cars
From preserving the mileage range to saving battery health, preconditioning offers several advantages. The preconditioning feature in EVs offers the following benefits.
Battery Health
Electric cars are powered by Lithium-ion batteries which supply high power. However, in extreme weather conditions, the performance of these batteries is affected and efficiency is reduced. In such a climate, preconditioning is a great option. It helps in bringing the batteries to the optimum temperature by using an outer power source. As a result, it maintains the battery’s health.
Mileage Range
When a car’s battery becomes too hot or cold, it adversely affects the longevity and mileage range resulting in the driver’s range anxiety. Most of the energy to cool or heat your EV is supplied from the plug-in, resulting in less energy drainage from the battery. When the optimum temperatures are reached, the mileage range is preserved.
Different Car Brands and Preconditioning they Offer
A number of automobile brands have introduced the preconditioning feature. Listed below are some names that have come forward with this feature in modern EVs and how you can use it.
Tesla
Tesla preconditioning can be initiated using three methods: Through the Tesla app (Android | iOS), a car feature installed called ‘Scheduled Departure’ and a navigation feature prior to supercharging your vehicle.
If you are also interested in using these features, browse through these used Teslas for sale in the UAE and purchase your own Tesla.
Ford
Using the Ford in-vehicle sync or the application, set up the departure time of your commute and after optimizing the battery charge level, plug in the car.
If you want to avail these features as well, browse through used Ford for sale in the UAE and purchase your own Ford EV to utilise its preconditioning features.
Hyundai
The newly launched IONIQ 5 model is equipped with the preconditioning feature. When activated prior to your departure, it will automatically turn on when a charging station enters the navigation system.
If you are willing to own such a vehicle having the preconditioning feature and more, browse through the used Hyundai for sale in the UAE and buy an EV of your own choice.
Other car companies like Chevrolet, Nissan and Kia plan to introduce the preconditioning feature in future models. Although the climate conditioning feature is still available, car owners have no option to automate the air conditioning settings as of yet.
To put it simply, preconditioning in cars offers consistent performance and smooth running benefits. If you want to want to have a comfortable driving experience and maintain the performance of your EV, then make sure you have an electric car that can feasibly precondition in hot climates. If not, then browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE to purchase an EV with preconditioning features.
FAQs
What is the difference between preconditioning and climate control
The climate control feature may be regarded as a more efficient version of air conditioning in cars. It controls the cabin’s temperature according to your preferences and will turn off automatically when it’s reached. You can schedule it anytime according to your requirements.
When should I precondition my car?
The ideal time frame that you should set up for the preconditioning of the car is 25-30 minutes before commuting to your destination.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on preconditioning and other features of electric cars.
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