Geely-owned Volvo Cars has started distributing its biggest over-the-air (OTA) software update so far, impacting about 2.5 million vehicles worldwide.

The rollout will span 85 countries and introduce Volvo Car UX, a redesigned central-screen interface aimed at making frequently used functions faster to access while reducing the number of taps required.

The update is being sent to Volvo models with Google built-in, including vehicles produced as far back as 2020.

Built on the Android Automotive operating system and incorporating various Google services, the revised interface is designed to improve access to common features.

A contextual bar is also being added, which changes depending on driving conditions and shows recently used apps.

At lower speeds, the interface will bring forward tools such as exterior camera views to help with manoeuvring.

For plug-in hybrid vehicles, the update changes how electric driving settings are accessed.

Volvo Cars chief engineering and technology officer Anders Bell said: “This update is one of the largest over-the-air updates in automotive history, leveraging years of investment in Volvo Cars’ tech stack to improve life with their cars for millions of people.”

Drivers will be able to select Pure electric mode through the Drive Modes option on the home screen, enabling a single-tap switch from hybrid operation to electric-only driving.

Volvo said the refreshed design is intended to standardise infotainment across its range, allowing older vehicles such as the XC40 to adopt the same interface approach as newer models including the EX90.

Separately, Volvo will start offering customers with Google built-in vehicles that do not currently include Pilot Assist the ability to purchase and download the driver-assistance feature.

The software package also readies eligible vehicles for future integration with Google Gemini, a conversational AI system Volvo expects to introduce to the same vehicles later this spring.