Polestar, the Swedish electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled the ground-breaking results of its first-ever Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the Polestar 4. This eagerly awaited report demonstrates that the Polestar 4 is the greenest vehicle in the company’s history, boasting of a remarkably low carbon footprint of just 19.4 tonnes of CO2e at launch.
Produced at Geely Holdings’ SEA factory in Hangzhou Bay, China, the Polestar 4’s outstanding eco-credentials are attributed to a unique combination of sustainable practices. The factory uses green electricity from I-REC hydro power certificates and photovoltaic electricity generated from the plant’s rooftop solar panels. Additionally, the increased utilization of low-carbon aluminium from smelters powered by hydropower has significantly reduced the car’s environmental impact. In a noteworthy move, this assessment is the first to incorporate data on the use of recycled aluminium, reinforcing Polestar’s commitment to sustainability.
Initially available in China, the Polestar 4 offers a range of configurations. The Standard range Single motor version boasts a carbon footprint of just 19.4 tCO2e, setting a new benchmark for eco-friendly vehicles. The Long range Single motor variant is not far behind, with a carbon footprint of 19.9 tCO2e. Meanwhile, the Long range Dual motor version registers at 21.4 tCO2e. Notably, aluminium contributes approximately 23-24% to the vehicle’s overall carbon footprint, while steel and iron constitute 20%, and battery modules bear the highest share of the carbon footprint of materials production and refining at 36-40%.
Fredrika Klarén, Head of Sustainability at Polestar, said, “To support our net-zero goal, we set carbon budgets for all our cars. Throughout the product development of Polestar 4, its carbon budget has influenced everything from material choices to factory energy sources. Sharing the LCA enables us to show that we can strive for net zero – one tonne of CO2e at a time.”
Polestar has demonstrated its dedication to transparency and sustainability by publishing comprehensive details of the carbon footprint of all its models since 2020. The company believes that the automotive industry should lead the way in the transition to sustainable mobility, and it views transparency as a fundamental enabler of this transformation.
Polestar’s LCAs provide a holistic view of a car’s environmental impact, considering various factors throughout its life cycle, from material acquisition to manufacturing and recycling. The results are summarized into a single, easily understood figure, making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle.
