Climate-neutral car by 2030? Could you help?
Polestar has launched a quest for a climate-neutral car – uniting companies across the auto supply chain to help the transport sector reduce climate impact.
The Swedish electric car company has signed Letters of Intent to collaborate with a selection of strategic partners in metals, tyres, safety, driving systems and electronics, on each area of focus on Polestar’s Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) of its current vehicles’ carbon footprints. The LCAs have helped pinpoint the components and processes involved in producing cars that need to change to ultimately eliminate carbon emissions.
Nordic steel and metals producer SSAB intends to collaborate with Polestar on fossil-free steel, which could potentially replace not only conventional steel in a car but also other materials with significant carbon footprints.
Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro is lined up for zero-carbon aluminium, while automotive systems supplier ZF contribite electric powertrain and overall systems competence.
Automotive safety supplier Autoliv intends to partner with Polestar on safety equipment like airbags and seatbelts with zero emissions, and automotive lighting manufacturer ZKW could bring climate-neutral electrical control systems and wiring.
‘It was clear from the start that this is not a solo-mission and we are very excited to present such a strong line-up of interested partners, all leaders within their fields. We are leveraging innovation and collaboration to address the climate crisis,’ says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.
Polestar has announced an invitation to other suppliers, researchers, universities, entrepreneurs, investors, and governmental and non-governmental organisations, for possible collaboration. On top of the open call, Polestar will be reaching out to researchers from across the globe through SDSN, the academic network, working in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
Hans Pehrson, leader of the Polestar 0 Project and former Head of R&D at Polestar, says, ‘We believe in the exponential development of climate solution technologies. For this project, we must tap into solutions that are still in the innovation stage. Even more exciting is that the solutions we develop will not only benefit the automotive industry overall but help decarbonise manufacturing and society more widely as well. Wherever we look in the world we see materials like steel, aluminium, electronics and rubber. Imagine when we can make these materials climate-neutral to produce. Together, we can make the seemingly impossible possible.’
Interested parties are requested to contact Polestar by 23 March 2022. The applicant must submit required information such as the concerned area, what the solution might be, whom they are representing, and if any prior research is needed. A designated Polestar team will evaluate submitted ideas and decide whether next steps should be taken towards a potential partnership. Click here for further information and to apply.
