Polestar is joining forces with SSAB, Hydro, ZF, ZKW and Autoliv to develop a climate-neutral car under the Polestar 0 project. Announced in 2021, the initiative is to create a climate-neutral vehicle by 2030 by eliminating emissions from the supply chain and changing the way that cars are made, rather than planting trees to offset CO2 emissions.
The partners will develop solutions in metals, safety tech, driving systems and electronics, on each area of focus on Polestar’s life cycle assessments of its current vehicles’ carbon footprints. These LCAs have helped pinpoint the components and processes involved in producing cars that need to be reshaped in order to make them green.
“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,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.
Nordic steel and metals manufacturer SSAB intends to investigate fossil-free steel, which could potentially replace not only conventional steel in a car, but also other materials with a high carbon footprint. Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro will explore zero-carbon aluminium. Systems supplier ZF intends to assess how Polestar’s innovation in electric powertrains and overall systems competence could eliminate carbon emissions and save resources. Safety supplier Autoliv will look at equipment such as airbags and seatbelts with zero emissions. Lighting manufacturer ZKW intends to investigate climate-neutral electrical control systems and wiring.
Polestar has invited other interested parties – including suppliers, researchers, universities, entrepreneurs, investors, and governmental and non-governmental organizations – to collaborate. On top of the open call, Polestar will be reaching out to researchers from across the globe through the SDSN 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, said, “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 decarbonize manufacturing and society more widely as well. Wherever we look in the world we see materials such as 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 should contact Polestar by March 23, 2022. Full details of how to do so are below.
About the invitation for possible collaboration
Interested parties can pitch to participate through an online recruitment process. The applicant must submit the 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 the ideas and decide whether further action should be taken toward a potential partnership. Click here for further information and to apply.
