A vehicle includes a traction battery having a thermal circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) charge the traction battery using a maximum charging current defined by the lowest temperature cell while the traction battery is connected to the charger, and (ii) heat the traction battery if the lowest temperature cell is below a predetermined temperature while the traction battery is charging. A method for controlling an electric vehicle while connected to a charger includes charging the battery using a first portion of power from the charger while heating the battery using a second portion of power from the charger in response to a low cell temperature in a traction battery.