Polestar 0 Project targets carbon-neutral car by 2030

Polestar has announced ‘its moonshot goal’ to create a climate neutral car by 2030, called Polestar 0. Revealed at the Swedish EV brand’s first annual review, Polestar said it won’t rely on offsetting emissions to meet its lofty target.

In fact, CEO Thomas Ingenlath described offsetting as a “cop-out”, adding: “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.” The long-term success of off-setting is unknown, according to Polestar, as newly planted trees might well be logged, destroyed by fire or altered thanks to climate change.

“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” said Fredrika Klarén, head of sustainability.

Interestingly, climate targets are already being integrated into Polestar’s employee bonus system. Polestar will also make ‘product sustainability declarations’, starting with the Polestar 2. These will disclose its carbon footprint, along with ‘traced risk materials’ and label the car on their website and in Polestar Spaces, with additional details added over time. Ingenlath added: “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.”