EV Software Updates in India: Can They Improve Range and Add Features?

With ever advancing technology, EVs come equipped with features including touchscreens, smart car tech, battery control systems and driver assistance features. Some of these functions can even be improved through software updates that can be downloaded by the manufacturer. They are called over the air (OTA) updates. 

Compatible electric cars can have their software upgraded remotely. Depending on the update, this could include improving current problems, battery charging functions, adding new features and sometimes making the most of their battery power. Can they help you further increase your EVs range? In some cases yes. This blog will explain how software updates work in India, including benefits, limitations and what you should know before installing them.

Everything About EV Software Upgrades

Software upgrades are changes to the programmes running the various functions of your vehicle. This can include battery management, electric motor, charging, infotainment display, smart car features and driver assistance. Many older vehicles would need to be taken into a service centre and connected with diagnostic tools by a technician. However, various modern electric vehicles have smart technology and so upgrades can be implemented by the manufacturer. There are two main methods:

• Over the Air (OTA): Software can be downloaded wirelessly and installed by the owner following the manufacturer guidelines.
• Service Centre: A technician can upgrade your vehicle using diagnostic tools or approved tools. This may be required for certain upgrades.

OTA upgrades can be very useful as you won't need to take your car to the workshop for certain software changes. However, not all EVs will have OTA upgrades for all systems.

Can Software Upgrades Help Improve My EV Range?

Yes, software upgrades can improve your EV range by improving how efficiently your vehicle uses energy. However, it depends on if the manufacturer can identify improvements they can make. Your battery management system will monitor important battery information while other control systems will help manage the motor output, regenerative braking, charging and cabin temperature. These can be influenced by software and an upgrade can improve your energy efficiency by:

• Improving battery management
  The battery management system will monitor your battery and help ensure it is operating within its designed parameters. This can be improved by upgrading the software. However, it will depend on what has been upgraded. You can't upgrade your battery capacity with software.
• Improving regenerative braking
  Regenerative braking allows your vehicle to recover some energy when you slow down and send it back to your battery. The amount of energy you can recover will depend on various factors such as driving conditions, battery charge, vehicle speed and how the system operates. If the manufacturer has identified improvements they can make and have developed and tested them, you may see improvements to your regenerative braking. This can help improve your energy efficiency in the right driving conditions, such as stop-start driving.
• Improving energy efficiency
  The way your electric motor responds to accelerator inputs and how your vehicle uses energy can be influenced by software. Manufacturers can optimise these functions to improve efficiency. For example, you may see improvements to your energy management in certain driving conditions. This will depend on your vehicle and you can't guarantee every upgrade will improve your range.
• Improving thermal management
  The temperature of your battery can impact how well it charges, performs and operates. The thermal management can be controlled by software. You may see improvements to your thermal management if there are improvements to the software (that have been tested). However, you can't completely avoid the impact of extreme temperatures, high speeds, heavy loads and lots of air conditioning.

Note: It is important to remember that improvements to your range are a bonus. Look out for specific mentions from the manufacturer that they have improved the efficiency or range.

Also check: Top Battery Innovations Shaping EV Mobility in 2026

What New Features Can Be Added With EV Software Upgrades?

There are many benefits of software upgrades including improving convenience, entertainment and some safety features. This will depend on your vehicle hardware and manufacturer.

• Improving infotainment and navigation
  Issues with your touchscreen can be fixed, plus your vehicle interface can be improved, navigation software and compatible smart car features upgraded. Some vehicles will also have improvements to their smartphone connectivity.
• Improving driver assistance
  If your vehicle is compatible, certain driver assistance features may be improved or issues with the software fixed. This will depend on if your vehicle has the right sensors, control units and safety systems.
• Smart car features
  Compatible vehicles may have improvements to their remote functions, vehicle status, alerts and app connectivity. This will depend on your model, subscription and network.
• Improving charging and systems
  Manufacturers may fix any issues with the software related to charging and improve how compatible charging functions operate. Any improvements to charging speed or battery limitations will depend on the upgrade and approved vehicle setup. 

Examples Of Software Upgrades In India

There are several manufacturers offering connected vehicle/OTA solutions in India. However, having OTA capabilities does not necessarily mean you will get a range upgrade, improved charging performance or new vehicle features via an update. Here are some examples to consider:

As you can see, software upgrades are becoming part of owning an EV in India. However, it is important to look out for specifics on what the upgrades will be. Some cars may have wireless map upgrades but other electronic systems may need to go to the workshop. Just because a manufacturer says they will upgrade features in the future doesn't mean all vehicles will have all of the new features.

Can My EV Have An Increased Range Without Increasing The Battery Size?

Yes, potentially. However, it is important to understand that it is just improving efficiency. Consider an EV that consumes less energy per kilometre after a validated software improvement. If its usable battery energy remains the same, the vehicle may travel farther on that energy. For illustration, assume an EV has 60 kWh of usable battery energy.

These are examples and not from an actual vehicle. We are assuming the full 60kWh is being used and the energy usage is consistent. This shows how you can get an increased theoretical range without increasing your battery size. However, in reality you may not see such a large improvement, or any improvement at all. You may also see different improvements depending on driving conditions. 

It is also important to note that you may be seeing a change in the calculation rather than an improvement. The manufacturer may have changed the way they calculate the range or what they are showing on the dash. Therefore, if a company announces an improved range after an upgrade, look out for specifics on what models are impacted, what testing was done and if they have measured an improvement under similar conditions.

Limitations Of EV Software Upgrades

While there are some benefits to having software upgrades, they won't fix everything. Below are the key limitations to be aware of.

• Hardware: You can't upgrade any missing hardware such as larger battery, extra sensors or more powerful charging unit.
• Driving conditions: Your range can be impacted by how fast you drive, traffic, weather, tyre pressure, passenger load and air conditioning.
• Not compatible with all features: New features may require specific hardware or only be available on certain variants.
• Not always beneficial for range: Some upgrades will focus on protecting your battery, reliability and safety rather than giving you maximum range. You may also see a change to your charging or battery limits.
• Requires internet: You may need to be in an area with mobile coverage, have your smart car service enabled or have a compatible connection.

Be aware of normal software upgrades vs safety recalls. If the manufacturer ask you to take your car to an authorised service centre, an OTA upgrade may not be the right option.

How To Safely Upgrade Your EV Software?

If your electric car has OTA functionality, follow the manufacturer guidelines. Don't treat it like you would with your smartphone.

• Look at the upgrade notice on your screen or official smart car app.
• Check the release notes to see if it is fixing an issue, changing something on your vehicle or adding new features.
• Park your vehicle in a safe place.
• Some vehicles will require a minimum charge.
• Give yourself plenty of time as you may not be able to drive straight away. Certain functions may not be available while the upgrade is being carried out.
• Check your screen to confirm the upgrade has been successful. If you notice anything unusual, contact an authorised service centre.

For example, Hyundai India states that you can't drive or charge your compatible vehicle while an OTA upgrade is taking place. Kia also states you need to park your vehicle and ensure you have enough high voltage battery charge for any EV upgrades. This will depend on your model.

What To Look Out For When Buying An EV?

When choosing an electric car, it is worth looking at if it can have software upgrades.
Before purchasing, check if it can have OTA upgrades and what can be upgraded. Speak to your dealership to find out if it is included in the price, if you need a smart car subscription and how long the software will be supported for. 

It can also be useful to ask if the manufacturer has a history of adding upgrades to their existing vehicles. However, don't choose an EV purely based on future software upgrades. Look at the range, battery warranty, charging, service centre and features available. If they haven't announced any upgrades, you can't guarantee any benefits.

Also check: 10 Essential Checks Before Buying an EV in India