Upgraded Polestar 3 enables significantly faster DC charging and greater performance thanks to the combination of new 800 Volt electrical architecture and innovative Breathe Charge software. This intelligent, adaptive battery software allows Polestar 3 to charge 10–80% in as little as 22 minutes.
Michael Lohscheller, Polestar’s CEO, says: “The extensive upgrade to an 800 Volt electrical architecture, coupled with cutting-edge battery software, delivers true added value and usability to Polestar 3 drivers thanks to faster charging that is among the best in its segment.”
New 800 Volt architecture an extensive upgrade
The 800 Volt technology introduces a major system-level upgrade – a change that fundamentally alters performance, electrical, and thermal characteristics. A significant number of the components, including new batteries, motors, inverters, cable harnesses and their routing, have been changed with the new architecture.
Lower energy losses at higher voltage improve overall system efficiency, reducing thermal stress on components and minimising the need for oversized cabling. The increase to 800 Volt enables faster charging speeds with a higher peak rate of up to 350 kW, supporting long-distance driving capabilities with less time spent at the plug.
Unlocking charge speed with Breathe Charge
Real-world fast charging in Polestar 3 is amplified by Breathe Charge, an innovative adaptive battery software that uses a cutting-edge simulation of the battery in the vehicle to maximise DC fast charging performance. Deployed within the Volvo Cars developed SPA2 platform on which the Polestar 3 is based, the software continuously monitors the battery’s condition in real time to make optimal use of the battery chemistry and automatically adjusts charging speed moment by moment. This allows for faster charging in all conditions while simultaneously protecting and preserving long-term battery health.
In Polestar 3, the result is ultrafast, reliable charging: 10–80% takes as little as 22 minutes at compatible 350 kW DC chargers, and a brief 10-minute stop can deliver as much as up to 38% more added range compared to without the Breathe Charge software.
Dr Yan Zhao, CEO at Breathe Battery Technologies, says: “The key benefit to Polestar 3 drivers with Breathe Charge is that it improves charging performance and consistency in all real-world conditions – notably also in cool weather circumstances. Testing data shows that our software enables Polestar 3 drivers to add as much range during a 10-minute charging session at low temperatures as they would charging without Breathe Charge in an optimal temperature range.”
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