How does battery preconditioning improve charging and performance?

Battery preconditioning heats or cools the battery to optimal temperature before charging or high-performance driving. For fast charging, warming cold batteries to 20-30C enables maximum charge acceptance and prevents lithium plating. For performance, maintaining optimal temperature enables full power without derating. Preconditioning can be triggered automatically via navigation (when route includes fast charger), manually by driver, or on schedule. It uses motor/inverter waste heat, resistive heaters, or heat pump, consuming some energy but enabling much faster charging or better performance.