Apple is putting its Car Key technology through real-world testing alongside several major automakers. The week-long evaluation involves BMW, General Motors, Hyundai, Mercedes, Rivian, and Volkswagen participating in a Plugfest event organized by the Car Connectivity Consortium. This hands-on assessment aims to refine how smartphones can replace traditional car keys.

Apple's Car Key feature, introduced in iOS 14, uses NFC technology to unlock and start vehicles. The system has been gradually expanding beyond initial partner BMW to include additional manufacturers. The testing comes as smartphone-based vehicle access becomes increasingly common.

Automakers see digital key integration as essential for modernizing user experience while reducing physical key production costs. For Apple, broader Car Key adoption strengthens the iPhone's role in everyday mobility. Current users can already access Car Key functionality with select models from BMW, Hyundai, and Genesis.

This expanded collaboration suggests more vehicles will support the feature later this year.