Volvo C40 with YouTube built-in.

YouTube is coming to your Volvo.

YouTube video playback will come to all Volvo cars with Google built-in, reflecting a continuation of the partnership between Volvo Cars and Google.

YouTube will be the first video platform to be featured and available for download in Volvo cars on Google Play. This is the beginning of enabling video streaming in cars.

When travelling by electric car, longer journeys might prompt a charging stop – and with video playback available in the car, Volvo drivers can spend their charging break enjoying livestreams, news, shows or their favourite creator’s latest video. It can also make the waiting for takeout or for a friend more enjoyable.

Crucially, Volvo Cars does not compromise on safety and will only allow for videos to be played when the car’s is fully stationary.

“Allowing our customers to watch videos while charging or when waiting to pick up their children from school is part of our promise to make their lives better and more enjoyable,” said Henrik Green, chief product officer at Volvo Cars. “With YouTube and other major streaming services coming soon, our customers can enjoy their charging break instead of seeing it as just a hassle – making electric car ownership that bit easier.”

The partnership between Volvo Car Group and Google started when Volvo Car Group announced it would be first to integrate an infotainment system powered by Android with Google apps and services built in.

In addition to videoplayback, Vovlo Cars and Google are today announcing that customers soon will be able to download navigation apps like Sygic and Flitsmeister, charging apps like Chargepoint and Plugshare, and parking apps like SpotHero and ParkWhiz where available.

The introduction of video playback coincides with the announcement that Volvo cars aims to seamlessly integrate with Google Assistant-enabled devices, which basically turns its cars into smart devices.

This integration with the Google Assistant-enabled devices and the introduction of YouTube allows Volvo cars to act as an extension of drivers’ living environment.

Combined with an audio system that can rival many home set-ups and the inherent restful nature of Volvo interiors – a closed off environment that features noise reduction and comfortable seating – the car can serve as an extra personal space without disturbances. Since Volvo Cars’ offer also includes unlimited data, customers can watch YouTube as long as they want.*

“The car is a great venue for enjoying video and audio, so I would not be surprised if this means that people spend more time in their Volvos, even when they are not going anywhere,” said Henrik Green.

Volvo Cars will be the first car maker to directly integrate its cars with Google Assistant-enabled devices, a step in the continued partnership between Volvo Cars and Google.

This planned direct integration allows for the most seamless connection between Google Assistant and cars to date, letting Volvo Cars customers control functions in their car by issuing voice commands to Google Assistant-enabled home and mobile devices. By pairing their Volvo car with their Google account, customers can directly talk to Google in their car and remotely control a variety of functionalities, such as warming it up on a cold winter day or locking the car.

The integration with Google Assistant reflects Volvo Cars’ ambition to provide its customers with convenience and peace of mind, and the list of available commands will continue to grow in the future.

With this integration, users can get help receive information related to their car remotely at any time Planned future functionalities include charging scheduling, which allows customers to set specific times when they want their car to start charging, and more.

“Volvo Car Group was first to introduce Google technology and services in our cars and we are now looking to be the first to integrate fully with Google Assistant-enabled devices – it is a natural next step in our partnership with Google,” said Henrik Green, chief product officer at Volvo Cars. “This integration allows us to improve the customer experience immensely, as it gives customers the possibility to easily and securely manage their car while at home or on the go, through any personal device that has Google Assistant.” Volvo Cars also aims for the integration of its cars with Google Assistant to support the company’s ongoing move towards full electrification. As a result, it aims to introduce features that can help customers reach the full carbon emission-reducing potential in their pure electric Volvo cars.

In the future, Volvo Cars aims to make the charging experience as convenient as it is productive.

For more sensitive commands – such as unlocking the car – a two-factor authentication process ensures that only the right people can hear or access the right information at the right time.

The functionality will be made available in coming months gradually to all Volvo drivers with an infotainment powered by Android that is connected to their Volvo Cars app and a Google Assistant-enabled device and in select areas where Google Assistant is available.