Cars running on all-electric battery power include high-tech operational systems that are dramatically different from gas-powered setups. EVs are highly dependent on software–not just the infotainment system or within the touchscreen, but from bumper to bumper. These are “software-defined vehicles,” which is an industry term that illustrates the difference between a car enhanced by technology and one that is run by technology.
The problem with software, especially in its first iteration, is that it can be buggy; just ask Apple, whose software troubles reportedly caused iPhone 15 models to heat up excessively. As a result, software bugs can cause both evident and phantom issues that are difficult to pinpoint within a mountain of code.
Although the push for all-electric vehicles is increasing due to both competitive one-upmanship and government encouragement, some manufacturers (including GM, Volkswagen, and Volvo) are taking a beat to evaluate their software development process. GM, for example, delayed production of its electric trucks, including the Chevy Silverado RST and GMC Sierra Denali EVs, at its Ohio plant until late 2025. Volvo postponed deliveries of its new EX30 due to software challenges. As the adage goes: measure twice, cut once.
Growing pains
It’s a common belief among consumers that it’s a bad idea to buy the first model year of a car. In the past, more people believed manufacturers needed a year “to get the bugs out” before the car was ready for mass distribution. However, today’s automakers are more efficient than they’ve ever been, and they’re more likely to build on shared platforms and parts that are tried and true from specialty manufacturers. Software, on the other hand, is a wide-open universe, and code varies from vehicle to vehicle.
EV specialist Tesla has issued a string of over-the-air updates to correct software problems. Some are small, such as the most recent recall regarding the…
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