Volvo's 'Range Assistant' app for EVs will coach drivers, adjust A/C for more miles
The over-the-air update will be made to C40 and XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 models end of October
Volvo late October will be rolling out an over-the-air update to owners of some of its electrified models that it says it guarantees will improve their battery range by optimizing various parameters.
The “Range Assistant” upgrade is coming to Volvo XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 vehicles running Android Automotive infotainment systems, and will be built into new Volvo C40 Recharge vehicles from the factory.
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Range Assistant will do a few things, Volvo says, to help drivers get more miles out of their batteries, including making passive tweaks to things like the climate control to use less energy; and incorporating smarter “battery management and regeneration performance, as well as a smarter timer to pre-condition the batteries.”
The app also includes improvements to benefit drivers more directly, for example by coaching them on driving style and speed to improve range; and showing them more detailed info, like real-time energy consumption.
Reports suggest Range Assistant will be included in the Volvo Care Package which comes bundled with all new Volvo EV purchases, complimentary for four years. (When those four years are up, the package can only be kept running via a connection cost and package fee.)