- Lucid said on Monday that Android Auto is available for the Air sedan via a software update.
- The EV startup introduced Apple CarPlay to its cars in 2023.
- Rivian, Tesla and General Motors don’t offer either phone-mirroring feature on their EVs.
It’s one of the biggest controversies in the car world today: to CarPlay, or not to CarPlay?
Some car companies like Tesla and Rivian reject phone-mirroring features altogether. The problem? A lot of people can’t imagine life without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Many drivers love the ease and convenience of using the same familiar apps and interface whether they’re on their phone or on the go.
If that describes you, then you may be interested in the latest news out of Lucid Motors. On Monday, the American EV startup announced that Android Auto is available to Air sedan owners via an over-the-air software update.
Photo by: Tim Levin/InsideEVs
“Android Auto is one of the most requested features by Lucid owners, and we are delighted to announce that we have begun rolling out a software update to add this capability,” Dr. Jean-Philippe Gauthier, the automaker’s head of software engineering, said in a statement.
This brings Lucid’s electric sedan up to speed, no matter what smartphone you prefer. Lucid introduced Apple CarPlay through a software update in early 2023, a little over a year after the Air first hit customer driveways. A Lucid representative said last year that Android Auto would arrive in late 2024, so it missed the mark by a few months.
The company will add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the Gravity SUV, its just-released second model, at a later date, a spokesperson told InsideEVs.
Screens and software are the latest battlegrounds for the world’s auto companies. Manufacturers are doubling down on AI-powered voice assistants, bigger displays, ongoing updates, subscription offerings and more feature-rich operating systems. Some, like Tesla, Rivian and General Motors, aim for complete control over the user experience. Hence the lack of CarPlay or Android Auto.
Others are going the complete opposite direction. Apple recently launched CarPlay Ultra, which takes over a vehicle’s entire digital interface, including everything from the speedometer to the seat and climate controls. Aston Martin will be the first carmaker to debut that system.
Got a tip about the EV world? Contact the author: Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com