Business 184
Petrol Cars Fall Below Half of Global Sales for First Time
Lucid Air Gets OTA Infotainment Upgrade With Air UX 3.0
Lucid has rolled out Air UX 3.0 to 2025 and 2026 Air models via a free over-the-air update, while older cars require a $950 processor upgrade to run the new system.
By Charlotte Redford · 3 min read
Lucid has begun rolling out a major over-the-air software update that overhauls the infotainment system in its Air electric saloon, bringing the model in line with the newer Gravity SUV. The update, known as Air UX 3.0, introduces a redesigned right cockpit panel with swipeable cards that allow drivers to keep their most frequently used features within easy reach.
The new system also adds a Quick Controls function, which lets drivers swipe down from the top of the screen to access important controls without navigating through menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been improved as part of the update, with both smartphone mirroring options now filling the entire right display. Lucid says the system provides for more seamless multitasking than before.
Navigation has been upgraded too. The onboard system now stretches across both dashboard-mounted displays and offers improved EV routing capabilities, meaning drivers can set preferred charging networks and stations. Switching between saved and guest driving profiles is also said to be easier.
All 2025 and 2026 Lucid Air models will receive Air UX 3.0 through a free over-the-air software update, starting from September 29. The update is delivered remotely, so owners do not need to visit a service centre to install it.
However, the new system is not available to every Air on the road without additional hardware. While Air UX 3.0 also works on 2022, 2023 and 2024 models, Lucid says those cars require a new infotainment processor. The upgrade is priced at $950 in the United States, including installation. Owners of these older models can schedule a service appointment to get the hardware fitted.
The move reflects the growing importance of over-the-air updates in the modern car industry. Tesla introduced the first OTA update in 2012, and the technology is now common among most brands, particularly electric vehicle manufacturers. Such systems allow cars to gain new features and improvements without owners needing to visit a dealership.
Lucid's decision to bring the Air's infotainment in line with the Gravity highlights how software is increasingly used to keep older vehicles feeling current. The Air UX 3.0 update focuses on usability, placing frequently used functions closer to hand and reducing the number of steps needed to access key controls.
For owners of 2025 and 2026 Air models, the update arrives at no cost and requires no action beyond accepting the download. For those with earlier cars, the $950 processor upgrade is the route to the same experience. Lucid has not indicated whether the price will vary in other markets.
The update also underscores the widening gap between software-ready vehicles and those that need hardware changes to run the latest features. As infotainment systems become more advanced, the ability to upgrade processors may become a more common consideration for buyers and owners alike.
6
