Polestar Commits to Launching Climate-Neutral Electric Car by 2030

Recent 02 concept hinted at Polestar’s sustainability plans

Polestar has set an ambitious goal to introduce a “truly climate-neutral car” by 2030. The company has been engaged in a comprehensive research and development program for the past two years, focusing on reducing the environmental impact of its supply chain and manufacturing processes.

The Polestar 0 Program

The initiative, known as Polestar 0, is named after its intended environmental impact. Hans Pehrson, the former head of Polestar R&D and current leader of the program, emphasized that the objective is to create a commercialized car rather than just a concept.

The 10-year program, which began in 2020, is divided into three stages. Pehrson stated, “What kind of car will come later – convertible, SUV, city car, whatever…” This indicates that the program aims to develop a range of vehicles.

He further explained that detailed product development in the automotive business typically takes 36 months, so they plan to start it three years before the projected production start in 2030. This includes determining the architecture, such as the choice of materials (aluminium, steel, etc.), drivetrain configuration, and battery placement.

Pehrson emphasized the need for deep research by 2025 to ensure the company meets its targets. If any breakthroughs occur during the research program, they can be implemented in model-year changes or new car launches between 2024 and 2026.

Collaborations and Sustainable Materials

Polestar has already partnered with over 30 companies for the Polestar 0 project. Some of the showcased collaborations at the Polestar Day event in Los Angeles include:

• Seats made using ‘fossil-free steel’ from SSAB
• Plastics made from plant waste by Dama BioPlastics
• PaperShell, a material that converts paper back into wood, replacing polymer plastics

These sustainable materials and components are part of Polestar’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its vehicles.

A Radical Approach to Sustainability

Polestar’s design boss, Maximilian Missoni, confirmed that the goal is to create a car from scratch rather than attempting to retrofit an existing model. He stated that the approach might result in “a different type of car from what you’d expect.” The focus is on building a car without relying on fossil fuels throughout its creation process.

Missoni acknowledged that achieving zero emissions might be challenging but emphasized that even reducing CO2 emissions to five tonnes would be a significant achievement. Currently, Polestar’s lowest CO2 model emits 19.4 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime, including production.

Regarding the type of car for the production Polestar 0, Missoni stated, “When we understand how different it is, then we decide the type of car. I’m not excluding or including anything, so long as it fits with the brand.”

Each Polestar model is being developed with a strong emphasis on sustainability, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.