It was India’s Aryabhata who gave the world the digit zero, which is a symbol for the concept of nothingness or having nothing. However, today, it is means so much with everyone talking about zero in everything – be it emissions, accidents and so on.
Embarking on its greatest journey, Polestar, a growing premium EV venture co-owned by Volvo Cars Group and Geely Holding, is challenging itself to create a climate-neutral car by 2030, by reducing emissions throughout supply chain and production.
Polestar Zero Project
Accordingly, the Polestar 0 Projectwas revealed to the world in the company’s first ever annual review about ten months ago, with a conviction to eliminate all emissions throughout the supply chain and production of the car. Therefore, the focus will be on reducing the emissions that can be mitigated, either directly or indirectly, which means that all parts of Polestar’s supply chain are to reach its targets without resorting to offsetting by tree planting or other schemes relying on the CO2 intake of crops. Ultimately, the aim is a car that will leave factory gates with a zero-carbon footprint.
The OEM decided to publish product sustainability declaration for all Polestar models, starting with disclosing the carbon footprint, and also traced materials, on the company website and in Polestar spaces. It will be done for all future models. More parameters, such as recycled/renewable materials, will be incorporated in the product labelling over time. Other steps include running the environmentally responsible car factories in China, powered by 100% renewable electricity.
Hans Pehrson, Head of the Polestar 0 Project and former Head of Research and Development at Polestar, says, “A fully sustainable society requires us to work together in unprecedented ways. That’s why a shifted focus is needed, and we want to join forces with those who are equally determined to make this vision a reality.”
“As an electric car maker, we don’t have to worry about combustion engines producing toxic emissions, but that doesn’t mean our job is done. Now we must focus all our efforts on cutting emissions in the supply chain and in the production of our cars. This is a historic and exciting time for car makers, an opportunity to seize the moment and do better. For the first time we can dare to dream about a future with climate-neutral, circular but still beautiful cars, and the human right of air that is cleaner to breathe,” says Polestar’s Head of Sustainability, Fredrika Klarén.
“We’re driven by determination. We know there are countless miles to get to net zero. Here’s to taking the first step,” he adds.
Open Call For Collaboration
Taking a cue from the recent research that has revealed that relying on the current trend of offsetting by planting trees is not sustainable in the long run, the OEM decided to look beyond. Building a car with zero CO2e means that it is necessary to find, and eliminate, every single CO2e emission linked to the supply chain – right from mining, material refining and production, to overland and sea transportation, rather than simply planting trees to try to offset carbon emissions. Therefore, it has decided to collaborate to an extent not seen before, and harness the power of different viewpoints, backgrounds, and areas of expertise. It has invitations to researchers, universities, suppliers, governments, entrepreneurs, experts, innovators, investors, and authorities.
Accordingly, a designated Polestar team is now searching for collaborators who can contribute towards technical solutions to eliminate all CO2e in the entire supply chain, without resorting to offsetting.
Together We Can
Believing that together it can accomplish its objective, Polestar has begun sharing some of the partnerships it has in place. What will unite the future partners is a shared conviction that zero means zero, that there’ll be no relying on low-carbon solutions, and no use of misleading offsetting schemes. The process is open between February 23 and March 23, 2022. These signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) mark strategic partnerships in the EV supply chain including metals, driving systems, and electronics. Several industry leaders have already signed letters of intent to collaborate on research.
SSAB
The Nordic metal company SSAB will work with the carmaker to develop fossil-free steel, which has the potential to replace conventional steel and other carbon-heavy material processes. The collaboration will explore all the possibilities for SSAB’s fossil-free steel, both with the aim to replace conventional steel normally used in cars, as well as to seek to replace other materials that have a significant carbon footprint.
Martin Lindqvist, President and CEO, SSAB, said, “We want to support our customers in their goal to strengthen their competitiveness and market position while helping them to eliminate most of their carbon footprint. The transport sector has a great opportunity to make a difference and we are very pleased at having the chance to work with Polestar on this issue.”
Hydro
Norwegian company Hydro will collaborate on zero-carbon aluminium. Eivind Kallevik , Head of Hydro Aluminium Metal, Hydro, said, “Polestar has embarked on an inspiring, tough and important journey, and we are proud to contribute with our expertise and explore how aluminium can play a key part in realizing a truly carbon-neutral car.”
“To reach the Paris climate agreement Hydro has carved out three paths to net-zero aluminium products towards 2030. Either through recycling of post-consumer scrap, carbon capture and storage from existing aluminium smelters and development of Hydro’s proprietary HalZero technology for greenfield smelters. We will now explore which path is most suitable for the Polestar 0 project, but the timelines align very well,” adds Kallevik.
ZF
World’s largest automotive systems supplier ZF will explore how its electric powertrain and systems development can eliminate carbon emissions and save more resources. Stephan von Schuckmann, Member of the ZF Board of Management and responsible for the Electrified Powertrain Technology division, said, “The Polestar 0 Project is a fantastic moonshot initiative. ZF supports it with enthusiasm because it perfectly complements our own holistic climate protection programme. ZF’s programme includes all dimensions, from procuring materials to manufacturing to the complete life cycle of all our products. By 2040 ZF will become truly climate neutral.”
Autoliv
Automotive safety supplier Autoliv will produce equipment like seatbelts and airbags with zero emissions while lighting manufacturer. The company said it intends to research and develop technology along with Polestar aiming at finding climate neutral solutions and innovations related to automotive safety such as pyrotechnics, textiles, and new generations of materials for airbags and seatbelts. Mikael Bratt, President and CEO, Autoliv, said, 'To reach our ambitious climate targets, we need to collaborate across the value chain. We are well-positioned to continue to support our partners and customers in achieving their sustainability goals.' says.
ZKW
ZKW is a specialist in innovative, premium light systems and electronics. The company will develop climate-neutral electrical control systems and wiring for the Polestar 0 Project.
According to Pehrson, the results of this call for research and collaboration will not only benefit the Polestar 0 Project, but help contribute to other aspects of society. In addition to the open call, Polestar will be reaching out to researchers from across the globe through SDSN, the world's largest academic network working in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, in the search for new partners.