Polestar Wants to Develope a climate-neutral car

The Swedish e-car manufacturer Polestar wants to create a truly climate-neutral vehicle.

To this end, some of the world's leading suppliers - SSAB, Hydro, ZF, ZKW and Autoliv - want to join forces. The companies from different areas along the automotive supply chain are joining forces to promote climate protection through more sustainable mobility.

The Swedes have agreed to cooperate in the areas of metal, safety, driving systems and electronics, it says. The aim is to rethink or change components and manufacturing processes to reduce and ultimately eliminate CO2 emissions. Instead of simply planting trees, emissions should be eliminated from the supply chain and the way cars are made should be changed.

For example, Nordic steel and metal producer SSAB wants to work with Polestar on fossil-free steel, Norwegian producer Hydro intends to develop carbon-free aluminium, and supplier ZF wants to target its electric powertrains. Autoliv wants to contribute to emission-free safety equipment such as airbags and seat belts, and electronics specialist ZKW to climate-neutral control systems and wiring.

"It was clear from the start that this is not a solo mission," says Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. "We are very pleased to present such a strong line-up of interested partners, all leaders in their field." The transport sector, he said, is the fastest-growing sector emitting greenhouse gases and is expected to account for more than 30 per cent of total emissions in the future.

Polestar is simultaneously inviting other suppliers, researchers, universities, entrepreneurs, investors and governmental and non-governmental organisations to collaborate on the project. "What is even more exciting is that the solutions we develop will not only benefit the automotive industry but will also help to reduce the CO2 emissions of industry and society to a greater extent," says Hans Pehrson, head of the Polestar 0 project and former head of research and development at the Swedes. "Together we can make the seemingly impossible possible."