You may have grown accustomed to hearing about free software updates to new cars. Many automakers now roll out improvements over the air with some regularity. Some can even boost a car’s horsepower remotely as it sits parked.
But a free hardware upgrade? That’s new.
Volvo and its all-EV corporate cousin Polestar are now offering free upgraded computer chips for certain cars. Owners of new 2025 Volvo EX90 and Polestar 3 SUVs can schedule a free chip replacement. With the upgraded chips, the companies can push out more feature upgrades over time.
The 2026 version of the Polestar 3, the company explains, contains “an upgrade from its current-generation NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Xavier processor to a new, more powerful, NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor.”
Owners who bought a 2025 Polestar 3 can schedule a complimentary upgrade to install the new chip.
“This complimentary hardware change will be performed at a Polestar authorised service point, and customers will be contacted when the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor is available to be fitted,” the company says.
Volvo is making the same offer for owners of 2025 EX90s.
The upgrade will enable the companies to activate new features over time through over-the-air downloads. The Polestar 3 has only been available since June, and already, the company says, it has sent out more than 30 software updates.
They’ve added features like walk-away locking and new digital key functions. “Updates aren’t limited to additional applications, features, or greater software stability but can also include changes to driving attributes and active safety systems,” Polestar says.