The 2020 Kia Soul EV features a 64 kWh battery with thermal management including battery preconditioning. This feature prepares the battery for optimal charging or operation by adjusting its temperature. When preconditioning seems slow, understanding the system helps set appropriate expectations.
How Battery Preconditioning Works
Preconditioning uses the battery's thermal management system to heat or cool the pack before charging or in extreme temperatures. A properly conditioned battery accepts faster charging and delivers better range. The Soul EV can precondition automatically or through scheduled charging features.
Why Preconditioning Takes Time
Large battery packs (64 kWh) contain significant thermal mass. Changing the temperature of hundreds of pounds of battery cells takes time and energy. In extreme cold, heating a deeply cold-soaked battery to optimal temperature may take 20-30 minutes or more.
The Soul EV's preconditioning system balances speed against energy consumption. Aggressive heating would use significant battery capacity, reducing range. The system conditions as efficiently as practical.
Factors Affecting Speed
Ambient temperature determines how much conditioning is needed. A battery at 40°F needs less warming than one at 10°F. Parking in a garage keeps the battery closer to optimal temperature, reducing conditioning time.
Whether the vehicle is plugged in affects available power for conditioning. When plugged in, the vehicle can use grid power for heating, preserving battery capacity. Unplugged preconditioning uses battery power.
Optimizing Preconditioning
Set departure times in advance so the vehicle can condition before you leave. The Soul EV can automatically precondition based on your schedule. Keeping the vehicle plugged in allows more aggressive conditioning without depleting the battery.
For DC fast charging, conditioning during the drive to the charger is ideal. Unfortunately, the 2020 Soul EV may not automatically precondition for charging stops the way some newer EVs do. Plan extra time for conditioning at the charger in cold weather.