Swedish premium all-electric car brand Polestar has begun pushing out a new Over-the-Air (OTA) update for its Polestar 2 all-electric performance fastback, consisting of new features and improvements including a new in-car Range Assistant designed to help drivers improve efficiency and range confidence.
Polestar, like Tesla, does not require car owners to visit a dealership to receive vehicle updates, and this latest OTA update, named P1.7, has already begun incrementally rolling out in all markets and includes the development of several key attributes improving both the driving and user experiences.
It includes a new in-car Range Assistant app that is designed specifically to help drivers new to electric vehicles to improve efficiency and range confidence. The in-car Range Assistant app also includes a new Eco Climate mode that increases vehicle efficiency by providing drivers’ an option to reduce demand on the battery from the climate system.
“The connected nature of Polestar 2 means we can continue developing new features and improving existing attributes on a continual basis, sending updates to customers regularly,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.
“Since our first update late in 2020 we have released several key software and feature upgrades that have improved range, efficiency, connectivity and the driving experience. The latest package delivers some of our customers’ favourite wish-list items.”
Polestar have included a number of other updates, including further enhancement for the battery conditioning that Polestar introduced earlier this year.
When plugged in, the Polestar battery is automatically preconditioned according to scheduled climate timers and are now configurable in the Polestar app so as to support optimal temperature in the battery based on when a driver is intending to begin driving.
The latest update also includes a battery preconditioning function that is linked to Google Maps, preconditioning the battery mid-drive when a public fast charging station is programmed in as a destination or waypoint so as to provide the fastest possible charge.
These updates will be available to Australian customers when Polestar 2 deliveries land on our shores in early 2022. Polestar released Australian pricing earlier this month, with its Standard Range, single motor Polestar 2 with 64kWh battery and up to 440-kilometre range set to be priced from $59,990 before on-road costs.
This also means that both Polestar’s two single motor variants will be eligible for New South Wales and Victorian electric vehicle rebates of $3,000, helping to put the Polestar 2 head-to-head with the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.