Skoda EV Meetup, Q&A session with Klaus Zellmer, Info on PreHeating for ENYAQ with SW 3

Hello friends of the electrified charging fun and welcome to Electrified, your channel all about Škoda e-mobility. Instead of seeing me, you see a lot of Enyaqs provided by Škoda, including a camouflaged one. But these are not the only cars; there are more Enyaqs from owners because we've been invited by the EV Launch on Facebook. Since I'm not on Facebook but a YouTuber, I'm also invited. Škoda wants to talk with us about the Enyaq and what's coming. Our meetup point was at the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav, where we lined up our Enyaqs to drive behind the Tour de France Enyaq to the Škoda polygon test track. Here's a close-up look at the Tour de France Enyaq, a first-generation Sportline with antennas and communication systems. The first surprise was the covered Škoda Elroq, now unveiled, presented to us by Klaus Zellmer, the CEO of Škoda. We had a nice talk with him, and later there will be a Q&A. At the test track, Škoda provided several Enyaqs to drive, including the Elroq. They designed a test track with acceleration, deceleration, bends, and tight turns. In the afternoon, we transferred to the design hall, a closed hall with daylight for prototype design decisions. There were two workshops: one on energy systems and one on software. For the energy workshop, I asked a very important question: what about preheating in software version 3? On behalf of all first-generation Enyaq users, the main problem is cold, not heat—cold gate and preheating to get acceptable charging power in cold weather, especially in Scandinavia and Germany. What about that?

We are working on that. I know this question. It's the same reason as between the switch from 3.7 to 4. We need not only a software switch; we change the software structure and the hardware infrastructure inside the car. The hardware is there—if you reach zero temperature, the battery will heat itself. So it should be technically possible to preheat the battery before charging. There is even a possibility through the OBD2 connector for this functionality, but that's a diagnostic feature. If you use it, you switch off other functionalities. We are working on it, but we changed the software structure in the MEB for energy management, low voltage, and high voltage. We also improved the battery chemistry so charging power can be higher for longer. That's why it's difficult. But technically, everything is there in the old Enyaq? No, not even that. The actuators and sensors are there, but you have to reconnect them. On a physical level they are connected, but on the software side we have to adjust all old software functionalities with the new structure from software 4.0.

The second workshop on software we weren't allowed to record due to sensitive information, but I can show you this test station where the HMI team tests new things. It's nice that we meet and talk. Now it's time for questions. Ask the boss, because he will leave after that. First question: will the Enyaq have lithium iron phosphate batteries? That seems a major trend from China—cheaper batteries that last longer.

Similar question: will the SUV, for example the seven-seater, have 800-volt architecture?

Go to M subscription—nearly three times the price of an Ionity subscription. Why will Power Pass become more competitive again?

But it is so hard integrated in your cars that we have the options to filter and plan for Power Pass but not for any other CPO. Are there any plans to change that functionality for better charge planning experience?

Great, so you're going to meet the global CEO of Elli. Nice, I have lots of questions. Hit him hard. Okay, next question: can someone please remove Tesla chargers from the navigation? When you start navigation and put a far target, it offers Tesla chargers where you cannot use Power Pass or credit card.

I just mean the Tesla charger is not alone on the charging hub; there is an Ionity next to it, and it doesn't make sense. I use Power Pass or EnBW; I would prefer to use those for sure.

And talking about that, don't send me any pictures. I'm actually online every night checking you guys out and your interaction, your blogs. I'm part of your groups as a member. I remember one on Facebook where somebody said, 'Is that really you, Klaus Zellmer?'

And that should be it for today. I hope you found some interesting information and enjoyed the talks from the EV Launch meetup in Mladá Boleslav. Here's another look at the covered Elroq, which hits the markets very soon. If you liked what you saw, please give a thumbs up and consider subscribing so you don't miss any new videos. Until next time, stay full of energy.