You can now use the Chrome browser in your Google-powered car

Google is no stranger to CES, and the company is using the 2024 event to make a raft of announcements. These announcements include plenty of automotive-related news.

Perhaps the most noteworthy news is that the Chrome browser is now coming to Google-powered cars. Google says this will come to Volvo and Polestar cars first as part of a beta program, with support for more cars later this year.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a web browser in a car with Google built-in. The Chromium-powered Vivaldi browser was released on cars with Google built-in back in September 2023. Nevertheless, we’re still glad to see Chrome’s availability, giving you an easy way to access web content tied to your Google account. And a browser is also a handy fallback option for services that might not have a dedicated automotive app.

What else did Google announce for cars?

Chrome isn’t the only app coming to cars with Google built-in, as the search giant said The Weather Channel, PBS Kids, and Crunchyroll are all coming to these cars. 

Electric vehicles with Android Auto can also now share their real-time battery details with Google Maps. This integration will allow Maps to provide your estimated battery level upon arriving at your destination, suggest charging stops, and provide charging time estimates for your predicted battery level. The Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning will be the first cars to get this functionality, albeit in the “coming months.”

Google is also making trip-sharing easier, as you can now share your trip from your Android smartphone or iPhone to a car with Google built-in. This feature is being pushed out today.

Finally, the Mountain View company said that Google built-in was coming to select Ford, Lincoln, and Nissan cars later this year.