Volkswagen has announced that the ID.3 and ID.4 models in Europe can now receive new functions and in-depth technical updates via W-LAN or mobile network.
Starting this summer, Volkswagen will provide owners of ID. vehicles with “Over-the-Air” (OTA) updates every three months. In addition to optimising software performance, these may also include new functions and customisation options.
Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, has explained that the OTA updates are key to moving the company’s all-electric revolution forward.
“Volkswagen is driving forward the digitalisation of its products at pace and is transforming itself into a full-service provider of hardware, software and services,” he said. “The introduction of Over-the-Air updates is the next important step in our transformation into a tech company and in the development of new business models.”
The newly founded ID.Digital project unit will consistently drive the further development of the ID.family and coordinate the implementation of Over-the-Air updates. These updates will be very important to allow the EVs of the VW family to always deliver the latest features introduced by the company, according to Thomas Ulbrich, Board Member for Technical Development at Volkswagen.
“This will ensure that all delivered ID. Models will be kept at the same software level as new cars throughout their entire life cycle,” he said. “Over-the-Air updates will also be the new normal in cars in the future. With them, we will keep all delivered ID. models on the same software level as new cars for years to come.”
The new ID.Software 2.1 is already on board as standard for vehicles produced from calendar week 8. Meanwhile, the first “Over-the-Air” updates are currently being successfully tested on over 3,000 company cars so that the first customers will soon be able to benefit from the continuous performance improvements and new functions.
As we reported Volkswagen has announced a new cheaper Pro variant of the ID.3. The EV will have an entry price of £28,670. The ID.3 has already proved to be highly popular as it was the second best-selling car in Europe in December.
Volkswagen’s delivery of OTA updates comes just days after another EV manufacturer, Polestar, has enabled similar technology. Tesla has been updating its cars’ software with great frequency in this way for a number of years.