The upcoming 2026 Polestar 3 will get extensive hardware upgrades. The primary change is the addition of an 800-volt electrical architecture, which will result in efficiency improvements and higher DC fast-charging power.

The upgrades partially mirror the ones in the 2026 Volvo EX90, produced in the same factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina.

Faster Charging

DC fast charging the 2026 Polestar 3 from 10% to 80% state of charge (SOC) will take just 22 minutes at up to 350 kW. That’s a noticeable improvement (over 25% shorter time) compared to 30 minutes and a power of up to 250 kW in the first, 400-volt generation.

New Batteries

Polestar will continue to use CATL batteries in the Polestar 3 model, although the capacity will be lower than the initial 111 kWh. The new 2026 model year versions get either 106 kWh (Dual motor and Performance versions) or 92 kWh (base Rear motor version).

We shouldn’t expect big changes in the driving range, though. The manufacturer explains that the new architecture will increase efficiency by up to 6%. In the US, the 2025 Polestar 3 has an EPA Combined range of 279-350 miles, depending on the version (lower numbers are for the Performance version and higher numbers for the Single Motor version).

The 2026 Polestar 3 (European version). (Source: Polestar)

New Motor

Polestar also mentions a new in-house developed permanent magnet synchronous rear motor, which will offer a higher power output.

For the first time, the asynchronous front motor will get automatic disconnect functionality (known from the Polestar 2) to reduce losses during everyday driving.

The combined system output of the Performance version will be up to 500 kW and up to 870 Nm of torque.

Here are the 2026 Polestar 3 specs for the European market (UK). We are still waiting for the specs for the North American market.

The 2026 Polestar 3 specs (European version). (Source: Polestar)

Upgraded Core Computer

Just like in the case of the Volvo EX90, the new Polestar 3 will get an upgraded core computer. The previous one and its software package were considered one of the weakest points of both models.

Polestar explains that owners of the older Polestar 3 will be offered a complimentary retrofit of the computer to the next-generation unit.

The 2026 Polestar 3 (European version). (Source: Polestar)