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.
“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” said Michael Lohscheller, Polestar’s CEO.
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.
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 percent 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 percent more added range compared to without the Breathe Charge software.
“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” added Dr Yan Zhao, CEO at Breathe Battery Technologies. “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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