AUTO

2023 Polestar 2 Gets Green Updates

May 5, 2022

The award-winning Polestar 2 gets a raft of upgrades for 2023, aimed at improving sustainability, transparency, and (of course) performance.

The Polestar 2 has been updated for the new model year with connected solutions to decrease climate impact and improve corporate transparency and business ethics, along with design detail and specification updates that allow for new visual expressions and improved efficiency.

“We have revisited materials and processes that go into making Polestar 2, introducing updates that reduce the climate impact and increase material traceability of this award-winning car,” explains Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath. “These are important additions to how we can improve cars over their lifetime– not just with functionality and design updates but addressing sustainability and carbon footprint as well.”

As far as the car, itself, goes, the 2023 Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor gets a new and improved battery cell chemistry that packs a higher energy capacity (now 69 kWh) into the same physical space. That means more range range (now up to 474 km WLTP, or 295 miles), faster charging (now up to 130 kW DC) and higher motor output (170 kW, about 230 hp). The heat pump included in the optional “Plus Pack” is also improved, with a much broader optimal temperature range of -7°C (19°F) and 25°C (77°F).

The aluminum battery tray used in all versions of the 2 is also sees an improvement– but it’s not on the car. Instead, it’s at the factory, which will see a reduction of CO₂ emissions of about 750 kg per car, thanks to the decision to only purchase aluminum for this component from smelters that use clean and renewable energy sources (think: wind and hydro).

“A first pilot has been rolled out, replacing the aluminum in the wheels with low-carbon aluminum that is produced using renewable energy,” says Fredrika Klarén, Polestar’s Head of Sustainability. “We expect this to result in a 600 kg reduction of CO₂ emissions per car for Polestar 2 in the second half of the year. Together with the improvements to aluminum in the battery tray, we’re expecting to see a total reduction of around 1,350 kg per car.”

Klarén also speaks to another new Polestar feature: leather! “We require that all leather used in Polestar products must live up to the strictest standards on animal welfare and the Five Freedoms, alongside being fully traceable and chrome-free,” she says. “A new leather supplier, Bridge of Weir, meets our requirements.”

Polestar and its sister company, Volvo Cars, will use an expanded blockchain initiative to ensure the provenance of its new sustainably and ethically-sourced materials. New color options and new lightweight, aluminum wheel offerings are also available.