Polestar Aims for Climate-Neutral EV Production

Polestar's Ambitious Climate Neutrality Goal

Polestar, the electric vehicle manufacturer originating from Volvo Car Group, announced a significant objective on Wednesday: the creation of the first fully climate-neutral car by the year 2030. This undertaking distinguishes itself from conventional approaches.

Instead of relying on carbon offsetting techniques like reforestation, the company intends to revolutionize the entire vehicle production process from the ground up.

Rethinking the Entire Supply Chain

This transformation necessitates a comprehensive re-evaluation of every stage of the supply chain. This includes sourcing materials, manufacturing processes, and enhancing the vehicle’s overall energy efficiency.

“Our strategy centers on reducing and eliminating emissions directly, rather than depending on offsetting, which is a practice we view with concern,” explained Fredrika Klarén, Polestar’s Head of Sustainability, in a recent TechCrunch interview.

She further elaborated that scientific evidence does not fully support the effectiveness of offsetting in neutralizing emissions generated during product manufacturing.

Polestar 0: A Catalyst for Change

The direct result of this initiative will be a new vehicle, internally designated as Polestar 0. Achieving this goal will require a complete overhaul of existing manufacturing procedures.

This revised process has the potential to be extended to Polestar’s entire model range in the future. While complete climate neutrality across the entire fleet isn’t anticipated by 2030, both Polestar and its parent company, Volvo, have committed to achieving climate neutrality in their overall operations by 2040.

Manufacturing Location and Material Challenges

Currently, both the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 are manufactured in China. Klarén indicated a preference for continuing production in China for the Polestar 0, despite the country’s reliance on coal.

She highlighted the substantial advancements in sustainable technologies and manufacturing practices occurring within China. The specific solutions and production location for Polestar 0 are still under investigation.

“If given the choice, we would maintain production in China,” Klarén stated, “however, the solutions we employ for Polestar 0 are yet to be determined, requiring innovative thinking beyond current possibilities – including where it will be built and the materials used.”

Internal Systems and Key Materials

The internal systems for the Polestar 0 are also still being finalized. Geely AG, the parent company of both Volvo Cars and Polestar, is developing a unified computer and battery platform.

However, a decision regarding its implementation in the new Polestar model has not yet been made.

Klarén identified the most significant challenges in transitioning to climate-neutral EV manufacturing as relating to materials, specifically aluminum, steel, and battery components.

“Addressing production-related emissions is paramount,” she emphasized. The environmental impact associated with the production of steel, aluminum, and the raw materials used in lithium-based batteries remains considerable.

Transparency and a New Declaration

Alongside the announcement of the new vehicle, Polestar has introduced a product sustainability declaration. This declaration provides a transparent overview of the carbon footprint of the Polestar 2 and will be extended to all future models.

“Offsetting represents an avoidance tactic,” stated Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “By striving for a completely climate-neutral car, we are compelled to surpass current limitations. We must challenge existing norms, innovate, and explore groundbreaking technologies as we design towards a zero-emission future.”