Owners of certain 2021 or 2022 Volvos will soon start their cars to find they have the option of some new features. Volvo this week becomes the latest automaker to roll out over-the-air (OTA) updates to cars capable of receiving them.
The OTA updates beginning this week involve 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge electric vehicles and 2022 XC60 and XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid vehicles equipped with Google Built-In.
Many Automakers Now Offer Remote Updates
As our cars grow more connected, remote updates that add or improve features are becoming common. Tesla has used remote software updates to add entertainment features and boost the range of its electric cars.
Ford has already used the technology on some 2021 F-150 and Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs. The company plans to add remote update capability to more than 30 million cars by the end of the decade. General Motors, BMW, and several other automakers have similar systems for some new cars.
Volvo Update: Satellite Radio and EV Range Boosters
The Volvo update will add SiriusXM satellite radio to the car’s entertainment systems. Electric cars will see a boost to their driving range, as well as cold weather warnings to improve battery performance.
A new Range Assistant app will help drivers “get a clear and accurate indication of the estimated remaining driving range and real-time energy consumption.” It allows drivers to activate a coaching system that will help them modify their driving style to make the most of the available range.
Owners can turn on a range optimizer in the app that will “adjust the climate system automatically in order to improve driving range,” which could be useful on long trips.
The update won’t install automatically. Instead, drivers will find a new prompt on their car’s touchscreen asking for permission to download it.
