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Image credits: Polestar

Lately, there has been a rise in carbon-neutrality announcements, and numerous companies globally have been lining up to declare their climate aspiration. 

Climate neutrality is achieved by reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions either by balancing the emissions or eliminating them. This transition is crucial for the automotive sector to unlock new opportunities.

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Based out of Göteborg, Sweden, Polestar is one of the automobile companies aiming for climate neutrality. Today, the company has announced its moonshot goal to create the first truly climate-neutral car by 2030. 

Project ‘Polestar 0’

Dubbed as Polestar 0, the project aims to cut carbon emissions by changing the way cars are made, rather than using traditional processes and, then, planting trees to offset CO2e.  

“Offsetting is a cop-out,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “By pushing ourselves to create a completely climate-neutral car, we are forced to reach beyond what is possible today. We will have to question everything, innovate and look to exponential technologies as we design towards zero.”

This approach will encompass collaboration across the entire development process and value chain, from suppliers to retailers.

Polestar’s Head of Sustainability, Fredrika Klarén, says: “We’re electric, so we don’t have to worry about combustion engines producing toxic emissions – but that doesn’t mean our job is done. We will now work to eradicate all emissions stemming from production. Now is a historic and exciting time for carmakers, an opportunity to seize the moment, do better and dare to build the dream of climate-neutral, circular and beautiful cars.”

Sustainability declarations

Moreover, the car company, starting with Polestar 2, is planning to add sustainability declarations, which discloses carbon footprint and traced risk materials. Labelling will appear on the company website and in Polestar Spaces, claims the company. 

Thomas Ingenlath adds: “Consumers are a huge driving force in the shift to a sustainable economy. They need to be given the right tools to make informed and ethical decisions. This makes things very clear. Today, Polestar 2 leaves the factory gates with a carbon footprint. In 2030 we want to present a car that does not.”

Talking about climate neutrality, the company in their official blog says, “This commitment entails reducing our GHG emissions in line with the 1.5-degree pathway (as opposed to the 2-degree pathway) and use the science-based targets approach to get there. Until there are solutions with proven results in place, we view carbon offsetting as a last resort in achieving climate neutrality. Instead, our focus is on reducing the emissions we can mitigate, either directly or indirectly.”

Electric performance car brand

Established in 2017 by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar is the independent Swedish premium electric performance car brand. Currently, the company produces two electric cars –  Polestar 1 and Polestar 2. 

The Polestar 1 is a low-volume electric performance hybrid GT with a carbon fibre body, 609 hp, 1,000 Nm, and an electric-only range of 124 km (WLTP) – the longest of any hybrid car in the world.

On the other hand, the Polestar 2 electric performance fastback is the company’s first fully electric, high-volume car. It is launched with an all-wheel-drive electric powertrain that produces 300 kW and 660 Nm, with a maximum range of 470 km (WLTP).

The Swedish company has been adding various new features lately including Spotify Group Session Beta, ABRP app, and more.