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.
Circularity
From design and materials, to sourcing and assembly, to use and reuse. Polestar 2 represents another step on the journey towards more circular electric cars.
More about circularity
Material innovations
WeaveTech upholstery
100% vegan, dirt- and moisture-resistant, WeaveTech is a PVC-based leather alternative, produced using a high-end process that reduces the amount of chemical plasticiser from the standard 35-45% to 1%.
Used in Polestar 2 upholstery.
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. This means that 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 with every 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.
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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.
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.
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, the minerals’ trade can be used to finance armed 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 validated to conform with the Responsible Minerals Assurance Program (RMAP).
Carbon footprint
We are currently collecting and analysing the cradle-to-grave related data of Polestar 2 model year 2024, in order to accurately calculate the car’s total greenhouse gas emissions. When complete, the full Life Cycle Assessment report will be published here, enabling consumers to compare cars based on climate impact.
More about climate neutrality
Polestar 2 life cycle
Materials production
Many different materials are used to make a Polestar 2, for example aluminium, steel, 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.
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. For this model year, one of them has changed the cell chemistry, resulting in a lower carbon footprint.
Polestar 2 life cycle
Manufacturing
In 2022, the manufacturing facility in Taizhou, where Polestar 2 is produced, shifted its power supply to 100% solar energy. Changing to entirely renewable electricity reduces the carbon footprint by 0.5 t CO2e per car.
Polestar 2 life cycle
Use phase
After a Polestar 2 leaves the factory gates, its owner can make a significant difference to its overall carbon footprint by charging it with renewable energy.
Polestar 2 life cycle
End of life
85% of the Polestar 2 is recyclable, whereas several components can be reused or remanufactured. Increasing components’ lifespan in this way can reduce waste and avoid the CO2 emissions associated with making new components.
Polestar and sustainability
Polestar is determined to improve the society we live in, using design and tech to accelerate the change to sustainable, electric mobility. Find out more about what we’re doing, and how we’re doing it.
More about sustainability