Škoda Added Something Special to Summer 2026 Update — VW Group EVs Don't Have It

Overview

The video covers Škoda EV software updates for the Enyaq and Elroq (described as “pretty much the same car”). It focuses on what’s changed in the MyŠkoda smartphone/app experience and highlights a major new in-car feature expected with the Summer 2026 update.

1) Google Gemini integration in route planning (app feature)

• At a Škoda EV Lounge meetup in the Czech Republic (Sept 2025), the software team explained they use Google Gemini.
• Gemini is integrated into the app’s route planner to suggest additional stops/places along your route.
• The host says they personally didn’t use it much, but notes the app has since received additional changes.

2) “Camp mode” (new in-car climate feature)

A major new feature is Camp mode, located under target temperature in the car’s climate controls (shown with a small tent icon).

What it does

• Climate control switches on/off overnight to help maintain a comfortable temperature while parked/camping.

Requirements / constraints

• Requires an internet connection
• The car must have at least 30% battery to run overnight
• The user should lock the car via the infotainment menu button to avoid triggering the alarm
• Safety warning: don’t leave children or pets unattended

Temperature handling behavior

• Operates as a separate climate function from the static air conditioning mode.

Notes and analogy

• Compared to Tesla’s “dog mode”, but the host notes:
  • Škoda doesn’t show reassurance messaging like Tesla does, which could lead to social misunderstanding and unsafe intervention.
  • Škoda still includes an explicit warning not to leave pets unattended.

Use cases discussed

• Overnight camping (the host doesn’t personally sleep in the car due to July sunrise light)
• Hot-weather comfort:
  • The host mentions heat-wave conditions, e.g., Germany up to ~42°C
  • Suggests staying cool for working from the car during the day

3) MyŠkoda app: trip history improvements

The host demonstrates Trip history, including:

• Map view showing where you drove
• Total consumption
• Average metrics such as distance, time/duration, and average speed
• Battery condition at the start and end of each trip
• Odometer start/finish

Review / accuracy note

• Efficiency numbers can be off.
• Example:
  • One trip shows much higher efficiency in MyŠkoda (~8.5 miles/kWh) than other tools (about ~5.5–5.6 miles/kWh)
• The host says the app version is beta and reported the discrepancy to Škoda for investigation.
• Overall, the host says the app is “normally pretty accurate.”

4) MyŠkoda app: charging history feature (with a bug)

The host shows Charging history in the battery charging screen.

Bug described (AC charging)

• With AC charging frequently (e.g., solar trickle charging):
  • If charging output stays below ~7 kWh, the app may incorrectly display that no energy was added (e.g., it logs time but shows “nothing into the battery”).
• Diving into deeper details shows energy really flowed (start/end values differ), implying the summary is wrong.

Behavior that works

• If charging crosses ~7 kWh, it records properly (example: shows ~8 kWh added).

DC charging

• The host didn’t demonstrate a DC example in the video, so DC recording couldn’t be verified in the demo.

5) Compatibility statement

Camp mode is available on Enyaq and Elroq, including older vehicles:

• Even early first-generation Enyaqs with about ~3.7/3.8 software (described by the host as “only 5 years old”).

The host frames this as Škoda being responsive and continuously improving features over time.

6) Brief comparison outside VW Group

The host mentions attempting to compare with Volkswagen EV capabilities, but implies that competing VW vehicles (example referenced: a diesel vehicle) can’t replicate the feature under comparable conditions.

The takeaway is that Škoda’s implementation works in scenarios like heat without needing the engine running.

Main speakers / sources

• Main speaker: the host of the EV-focused YouTube channel (described as centered on Enyaq/Elroq owner experience and EVs in general).
• Source referenced: the Škoda EV software team at the Škoda EV Lounge meetup in the Czech Republic (Sept 2025).
• Technology referenced: Google Gemini, integrated into Škoda’s route planner within the MyŠkoda app.