Sustainability

Transparent about sustainability

This Product Sustainability Declaration is a high-level presentation of Polestar 2’s sustainability credentials. It aims to provide consumers with transparent information to enable them to make informed, ethical choices.

Carbon footprint

We’re continuously revisiting the materials and processes that go into the manufacture of Polestar cars to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the cradle-to-gate phase of their life cycles. You can reduce total footprint during the in-use phase by charging with renewable energy.

More about climate neutrality
Close-up of black componenents and material

Polestar 2 life cycle

Materials production

Many different materials are used to make a Polestar 2, including aluminium, steel, textiles, electronics and plastics. Each material category contributes to the overall carbon footprint of the vehicle, as does the electricity mix used in material production and refining. We aim to make these material categories more specific with every new model, in order to improve the accuracy of carbon footprint calculations.

Close up li-ion battery modules

Polestar 2 life cycle

Li-ion battery modules

Several factors contribute to the battery’s carbon footprint, from the energy used for cell production to the aluminium used in the battery casing. We push our suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint of the battery modules they supply.

Bodywork of Polestar 2

Polestar 2 life cycle

Manufacturing and logistics

In 2022, the manufacturing facility in Taizhou, where Polestar 2 is produced, shifted its power supply to 100% solar energy. Switching to entirely renewable electricity reduces the carbon footprint by 0.5 t CO2e per car.

White Polestar 2 with charging cord connected

Polestar 2 life cycle

Use phase

After a Polestar 2 leaves the factory, its owner can make a significant difference to its overall carbon footprint by charging with renewable energy wherever possible.

Bodywork of Polestar 2

Polestar 2 life cycle

End of life

Polestar 2 is 85% recyclable, and a majority of components can be reused or remanufactured. Increasing components’ lifespans in this way can reduce both waste and the CO2 emissions produced by making all-new components.

Cradle-to-gate carbon footprint

These figures represent the CO2e emissions of Polestar 2 in the cradle-to-gate phases of the car’s life cycle. Battery upgrades in a majority of markets¹, in addition to drivetrain upgrades, have impacted overall vehicle carbon footprint.

Standard range Single motor

Materials production
15.4 t
Battery modules
4.6 t
Manufacturing and logistics
1.6 t
Total
21.6 t

Long range Single motor

Materials production
14.9 t
Battery modules
5.9 t
Manufacturing and logistics
1.6 t
Total
22.4 t

Long range Dual motor

Materials production
15.7 t
Battery modules
5.9 t
Manufacturing and logistics
1.6 t
Total
23.1 t
Orange background, black text -1.1 tco2e

Battery carbon footprint

Thanks to improved cell chemistry, CO2e emissions for Polestar 2 Long range Single motor and Long range Dual motor in most markets¹ have been reduced by 1.1 tonnes, down from 7 to 5.9 tonnes per car.

Carbon footprint proportions

The following breakdown displays the contributions of each material to the cradle-to-gate carbon footprint of Polestar 2 (Long range Dual motor).

Sustainability carbon footprint data

Aluminium

Sustainability carbon footprint data

Battery modules

Steel and iron carbon footprint proportions 19%

Steel and iron

Ten percent number shown on a white background

Electronics

Eight percent shown on a white background

Polymers

Seven percent shown on a white background

Manufacturing and logistics

Two percent number snow on a white background

Fluids and undefined

One percent shown on a white background

Tyres

One percent shown on a white background

Copper

One percent shown on a white background

Glass

One percent shown on a white background

Natural materials

One percent shown on a white background

Other metals

Circularity

We’re continuously revisiting the materials and processes that go into the manufacture of Polestar cars to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the cradle-to-gate phase of their life cycles. You can reduce total footprint during the in-use phase by charging with renewable energy.

More about circularity
Dark close up of Weavetech upholstery

Material innovations

WeaveTech upholstery

100% vegan, WeaveTech is a PVC-based leather alternative that’s both dirt- and moisture-resistant. Its high-end production process reduces the amount of chemical plasticiser from the standard 35-45% to just 1% on average.

Used in Polestar 2 upholstery. 

Close up of bright reconstructed wood deco

Material innovations

Reconstructed wood deco

More wood, less waste. Reconstructed wood deco is made from reused birch wood that is sliced and bonded together to preserve as much natural material as possible. The Black Ash veneer has a textured look that makes a feature of irregularities in the wood grain, meaning more of the available wood can be used, reducing waste.

Used in Polestar 2 deco panels.

Traced materials

Tracing materials is the first step towards achieving more responsible sourcing and production processes. We aim to add more fully traced materials with each new model.

Polestar works with blockchain partner Circulor to trace battery risk minerals such as cobalt and mica, and with Bridge of Weir to trace leather.

More about transparency
Close-up of the sustainability traced nappa leather upholstery

Responsibly sourced and traced materials

Nappa leather

The leather used in Polestar 2 meets the strictest standards on animal welfare, set by the UN Food and Agriculture Program, the World Organization by Animal Health (OIE) in their Animal Health Codes, and the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC). The leather is traceable via a process that controls and monitors the farms and tanneries from which the leather originates. The leather upholstery is also chrome-free. 

Used in Polestar 2 upholstery.

Cobalt blue rock on black background.

Blockchain traced risk materials

Cobalt

Cobalt is a hard metal used to extend battery life in Polestar 2’s lithium-ion battery pack. Major risks associated with mining cobalt include forced labour and child labour, corruption, weak rule of law, high-intensity conflicts, and pollution from hazardous materials.

Mica material, flaky and golden, black background

Blockchain traced risk materials

Mica

Mica is a group of silicate minerals used in the Polestar 2 lithium-ion battery pack as a thermal barrier to hinder fire, and improve safety and robustness. Major risks associated with mining mica include child labour and forced labour, weak rule of law, corruption, artisanal and small-scale mining. 

3TG

Tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, also known as ‘conflict minerals’, have a wide range of applications in Polestar 2’s construction and electronics. In politically unstable areas, mineral trade can be used to finance arms groups, fuel forced labour and other human rights abuses, and support corruption and money laundering. 3TG is traced via Conflict Mineral Reporting, which promotes smelters verified to conform with the Responsible Minerals Assurance Program (RMAP).

Polestar and sustainability

Polestar is determined to improve the society we live in, using design and tech to accelerate a widespread shift to sustainable electric mobility. Find out more about how we’re getting there.

More about sustainability
Polestar 2 tailgate view on a white background

Next:

Owning a Polestar 2

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Common electric driving questions answered

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How to buy a Polestar

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Maintenance, service and warranty

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  1. Battery capacity for Long range Dual motor remains 78 kWh in United States, Canada and South Korea; max charging capacity remains 155 kW DC. In Korea, the Long range Single motor version also retains a 78 kWh battery and 155 kW DC max charging capacity.

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    Polestar Automotive UK Ltd. is not a lender; we can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers. Volvo Car Financial Services UK Limited, will fulfil your Polestar Choices (Personal Contract Purchase) or Polestar Purchase Plan (Loan product) as either a Conditional Sale or Fixed Sum Loan Agreement. Volvo Car Financial Services UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 933949. Contract Hire will be provided by ALD Automotive Ltd (ALD) trading as Polestar Leasing, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 308101.