Electric Vehicle Maker Polestar Announces CarPlay Support

Volvo-backed electric vehicle maker Polestar today announced that the latest over-the-air update for the Polestar 2 adds CarPlay support, allowing iPhone users to conveniently access commonly used apps from the dashboard, complete with Siri control.

Polestar CarPlay
The addition of CarPlay in the Polestar 2 is interesting given that the vehicle's infotainment system is powered by Android Automotive, which is a full-stack operating system running directly on the in-vehicle hardware. Android Automotive is not to be confused with Google's similarly-named CarPlay competitor Android Auto.

In a tweet, Polestar said the over-the-air software update is rolling out to customers incrementally, and noted that the update is also available for installation at Polestar workshops. It's unclear when the rollout will be completed.

CarPlay is available in over 600 vehicle models from dozens of automakers, according to Apple, but some of the most popular electric vehicle brands like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid Motors have yet to support the feature in their vehicles.


At WWDC 2022 earlier this month, Apple previewed the "next generation" of CarPlay, which includes support for multiple displays in a vehicle and direct integration with a vehicle's speedometer, fuel gauge, climate controls for A/C and heat, and more.

Apple said the first vehicles to support the new CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023, with committed automakers including Ford, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Honda, Acura, Jaguar, Land Rover, Audi, Nissan, Volvo, Porsche, and more. Apple said it would share additional information about the new CarPlay experience in the future.

Related Roundup: CarPlay

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...

Top Rated Comments

6787872 Avatar
40 months ago
if only tesla would follow suit with their barebones, buggy ui that breaks something with every update.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Analog Kid Avatar
40 months ago
When Polestar was on the horizon, I thought it might be interesting to consider. I’m not a huge Tesla fan and wouldn’t mind seeing a viable competitor in the space.

When I found out it was not just running Android Auto, but the whole software stack was Google, I lost interest. I don’t need Google in my car.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
40 months ago

The Lucid Air is out now. I was surprised to run across one in a parking lot last week. Good looking car.
Saw Lucid Vehicle Parked in front of Steve Jobs's house. It looks pretty neat and futuristic.

Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mark-in-mk Avatar
40 months ago
I own a Polestar 2 in the UK. I chose it over a Tesla because the build quality is miles higher and the interior is much more traditional than the screen first based approach. Im happy nearer the leading edge than the bleeding edge.
I've had it about 4 months, have had zero problems, and the range always exceeds what they claim - very unusual.
As for charging - It can easily fast charge on high voltage chargers, and get from 15% to 90% in about 25 mins. that gives me over 200 miles, without thinking of driving economically, or turning anything like the AC off.
At home I use my 7.5KW charger and go from 20% to 90% on a 6 hour charge during cheap rates at night.
I dont work for Polestar, but I would recommend one if you are in the market.
That said - I'll give it a few days to let other owners install the Car Play update and see how it goes for them before I dive in.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikey918 Avatar
40 months ago
The size of those bezels makes me think they just slapped an HP Touchpad on the dash and called it a day.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeaz Avatar
40 months ago

I'm guessing, grasping at straws.
Volvo already blew through their federal tax credits, tax refund credit for EV was limited to certain production #'s.
New company Polestar, resets that to zero. So customers can get tax credit and it makes their cars less expensive and more competitive.
Wild speculation on my part.
I don’t think the U.S. tax credits has anything to do with it.
Here’s a few other reasons:
1. Branding. Volvo is known for security and well, rather boring cars. Polestar isn’t an entirely new brand from Volvo, but has been used in the past for their more sporty and fun initiatives.
2. Sales model. Unlike Volvos, Polestars aren’t sold through dealerships. Instead, just like Tesla, they are sold directly to customers without any middle hands.

So the whole idea is to create a bit more freedom without any of the Volvo baggage. While still being able to use all the tech and experience of Volvo.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)