Electric Vehicle Software Updates: Enhancing Performance and User Experience

When I drove a traditional gasoline car, I never expected the vehicle to get better with time because of computer software updates. This was normal for my phone and my laptop, but not for my car. Things changed dramatically when I purchased my first electric vehicle, a Tesla Model 3. I began to notice notifications in the Tesla App that software updates were available. Each time, I would connect the vehicle to Wi Fi, and download over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Each time the vehicle’s performance would improve. This blog post explores the key ways electric vehicle (EV) software and later updates work to make the EV ownership experience a great one! From optimizing battery performance and regenerative braking to increasing vehicle safety and delivering improved in-car infotainment, software updates are an important part of why more people insist on making their next car an EV.

Optimizing Battery Performance and Range

An EV software manages battery health to ensure longevity and efficiency through preventing overcharging and over-discharging. Software also regulates the battery's temperature, preventing overheating and maximizing its lifespan.

Sometimes, OTA software updates can be helpful in emergencies, as was the case with Hurricane Irma.

In 2017, amidst the looming threat of Hurricane Irma in Florida, Tesla delivered an OTA software update that unlocked the full battery capacity of Tesla's 60 and 70 kilowatt-hour Model S and X vehicles for drivers in the hurricane’s pathway. What made this update exceptional was its timely and life-saving impact. As the hurricane bore down on Florida, Tesla owners found themselves with an additional 30 to 40 miles of range beyond the typical capacity of their vehicles.

This was more than a technological feat; it was a testament to the power of software updates to enhance vehicle performance and save lives in critical situations. This move by Tesla underscored the potential for software-driven innovations to provide real-world solutions in times of crisis, redefining the way we view our vehicles as not just modes of transport, but as dynamic, adaptable assets that can rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Regenerative Braking

Software energy management optimizes the distribution of power across various EV systems, enhancing acceleration and also regenerative braking efficiency. Software-controlled regenerative braking captures and stores energy during deceleration, boosting overall energy efficiency and extending driving range. You can read more about that in my article, Demystifying Regenerative Braking in Electric Vehicles.

Software Updates and Safety Recalls

OTA updates keep your EV performing at its peak, resolving issues and introducing new features. For example, most Tesla vehicles do not need to go into a dealership when there is a safety recall, as many recalls can be fixed with a software update.

Tesla voluntarily issued a safety recall on some 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles to correct a software error that may have caused tail lamps on one or both sides to illuminate intermittently due to false fault detections during the vehicle wake up process. This recall was addressed by updating the vehicle software, which did not require customers to schedule a service appointment. There was no immediate action needed.

When safety recalls are deployed through OTA updates to all affected vehicles, this saves you time and money. These updates also save labor costs for the vehicle manufacturer, since many recalls affect thousands of cars.

Some updates are less critical and more practical and enjoyable enhancements, like the well known Holiday Updates by Tesla.

Improving Your User Experience with Holiday Updates

It was Christmas Eve, 2019, and I had received my first Tesla a few weeks before. I will never forget the excitement of knowing that in the morning, I would wake up to a free present from Tesla: a Holiday Software Update! That year, Tesla gave all owners one of the best OTA updates in history!

Voice Commands: Tesla introduced built-in voice recognition with better natural language understanding. This update would allow me to control various functions like adjusting the temperature, activating heated seats, opening the glovebox, and even sending text messages using voice commands, reducing my need to look at the screen.

Phone Improvements: Tesla answered a long-standing request by enabling the reading and responding to text messages on the center display. Drivers could now use the right scroll wheel to have messages read aloud and respond using voice commands.

Camp Mode: This new addition allowed Tesla owners to maintain comfortable conditions inside the car during camping trips. It regulated airflow, temperature, interior lighting, music, and device power. Camp Mode has inspired myself and many others to take road trips and car-camp in their Tesla!

Save Dashcam Clips on Honk: In response to an X (formerly Twitter) user's request, Tesla introduced a feature where honking the horn manually saved Teslacam footage, providing an easy way to capture important moments on the road. I use this function a lot.

New Entertainment: Alongside Stardew Valley and Backgammon, Tesla also added Twitch to Tesla Theater that year, expanding the entertainment options for Tesla owners.

Embracing the Future

In the modern era of EVs, the old norm of buying a car that ages without improvements is a thing of the past. A new generation of car owners expects OTA updates as part of the package, just like they do for smartphones and computers. These updates aren't just about convenience; they save money, increase safety, free up time, and make vehicles perform better. OTA updates can also bring extra joy to families with cool features for entertainment, connectivity, efficient charging, and better energy use.

If you've been thinking about going electric, you don’t need to wait. Now's the time to experience the benefits of an electric vehicle for yourself. Be sure to check out Xcelerate’s cost analysis charts for your next EV lease.