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Volkswagen and Skoda plan to add manually activated battery preheating to older ID.4, ID.5 and Enyaq electric vehicles through software updates beginning in the second half of November 2027. The feature is intended to help batteries accept more power at DC fast chargers in cold weather, but rollout timing and installation requirements vary by software version.
Volkswagen and Skoda plan to add manual battery preheating to older ID.4, ID.5 and Enyaq electric vehicles through staged software updates starting in the second half of November 2027. The update is aimed at models built from 2020 to 2024, addressing a cold-weather charging limitation that could leave their batteries unable to accept fast-charging power as readily as a warmed battery.
Skoda’s Enyaq update is software version 3.9, while the corresponding update for Volkswagen’s ID.4 and ID.5 is version 3.9.1. The report says about 200,000 Enyaq vehicles are scheduled to receive the update, with cars getting it in waves: an initial group beginning in the second half of November and another wave around two weeks later. The source describes the combined changes as affecting more than 200,000 vehicles, but does not provide a separate total for Volkswagen models.
Installation depends on the car’s current software. Enyaqs already on version 3.8 are expected to be prompted to install the new version over the air. Cars running earlier software must first install version 3.8, according to the report. Vehicles still on version 2.x need to visit an authorized service center for the software work. The report does not specify a separate installation process for every ID.4 and ID.5 software configuration.
The new feature is activated through a virtual button in the infotainment system, rather than automatically when a fast charger is selected. Skoda project manager Jiří Vlček told InsideEVs that the button is available only when battery temperature is below 68°F (20°C). The software also displays the battery’s current temperature. The automakers say heating the battery to an optimum temperature of about 77°F (25°C) can take roughly 30 to 40 minutes, so drivers need to allow time before reaching a fast charger.
Cold-Weather Charging Gets a New Tool
Battery temperature can affect how quickly an EV accepts power from a DC fast charger. Adding preheating gives owners of the affected older models a way to warm the battery before a charging stop, which may help reduce charging time when conditions are cold. The update does not guarantee a particular charging speed or time saving; those depend on factors including the battery’s starting temperature and the charger.
The change also brings a factory-supported control to owners who, the report says, had used do-it-yourself methods such as diagnostic equipment and programming apps to activate battery heating. Drivers will instead be able to request preheating through the car’s infotainment screen. Because the feature is manual and can take up to 40 minutes, owners will need to plan ahead rather than expect the car to heat the battery automatically on the way to a charger.
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Which Model Years Are Included
The update is for older Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq vehicles manufactured from 2020 through 2024, according to InsideEVs. The report says all three models received automatic battery preconditioning from 2024 onward, so those newer versions do not need this particular addition. It does not break down eligibility by market or give a full list of vehicle identification numbers.
The earliest ID.4 and Enyaq vehicles went on sale in 2020. Owners of those earlier cars had faced longer-than-expected charging in cold weather because their vehicles lacked a straightforward battery-preheating feature, the report says. Skoda’s version 3.9 update also includes an updated welcome screen that no longer requires user confirmation to finish starting up, security updates and a fix for the Online Connectivity Unit. Volkswagen’s 3.9.1 software also addresses electric door-handle reliability and AC charging, according to the report.
Owners Still Need Rollout Details
The reported rollout start is scheduled for the second half of November 2027, but the source does not give exact dates for individual vehicles or markets. The staged schedule means owners may not receive the update at the same time. It is also not clear from the report how Volkswagen will notify owners, how many ID.4 and ID.5 vehicles qualify, or whether all eligible cars in every market will receive the update on the same timetable.
The update’s stated temperature target and approximate heating time do not establish a guaranteed improvement in charging duration. Actual results will vary with ambient conditions, battery state and charger performance. The source also does not detail the full software prerequisites for each Volkswagen vehicle, so owners should check vehicle-specific guidance rather than assume the Enyaq installation path applies to their car.
Watch for Software Prompts
According to the reported schedule, the first update wave is due to begin in the second half of November 2027, with another wave expected about two weeks later. Eligible owners should watch for an in-car software prompt and check their vehicle’s current software version. Enyaq owners on version 2.x are expected to need an authorized service-center visit, while those on earlier versions may need an intermediate update before version 3.9.
Further details from Volkswagen and Skoda could clarify market-by-market availability, vehicle eligibility and the precise installation steps for each model. Until those details are available, owners should use the automakers’ vehicle-specific instructions to confirm whether their car is included and how to prepare it for the update.
Key Questions
Which vehicles are expected to get battery preheating?
The reported update covers older Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq vehicles built from 2020 to 2024. The source does not provide a full eligibility list by market or vehicle identification number.
When is the update scheduled to arrive?
The staged rollout is scheduled to start in the second half of November 2027, with a further wave expected about two weeks later. Individual delivery dates have not been reported.
Will the car preheat its battery automatically?
No. The reported feature is manually activated through the infotainment system. Skoda’s Jiří Vlček said its button is available only when the battery is below 68°F (20°C).
How long does battery preheating take?
The report says heating the battery to roughly 77°F (25°C) can take about 30 to 40 minutes. The actual time may vary with conditions, and no specific charging-time reduction is guaranteed.
Do some owners need a service-center visit?
Yes. The report says Enyaqs running software version 2.x need an authorized service-center visit for the required software updates. Other software versions may need an intermediate update before the new feature is installed.
Source: insideevs.com
