Polestar announces collaboration initiative with global suppliers to speed up development of climate-neutral car

Polestar 2, Lauren - 2021 Test Drive Review

Some of the world’s leading automotive industry suppliers, namely SSAB, Hydro, ZF, ZKW and Autoliv, are joining forces to collaborate with Polestar in its development of a truly climate-neutral car – uniting companies across the auto supply chain to help the transport sector play its part in reducing climate impact.

 

The Swedish company has signed Letters of Intent to collaborate with a selection of strategic partners in metals, safety, driving systems and electronics, on each area of focus on Polestar’s Life Cycle Assessments of its current vehicles’ carbon footprints. The LCAs have helped pinpoint the components and processes involved in producing cars that need to be reimagined to reduce and 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 intends to collaborate with Polestar’s experts on zero-carbon aluminium, while automotive systems supplier ZF intends to explore with Polestar how their innovation in electric powertrain and overall systems competence could eliminate carbon emissions and save resources.

 

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Automotive safety supplier Autoliv intends to partner with Polestar on safety equipment like airbags and seatbelts with zero emissions, and automotive lighting manufacturer ZKW also intends to team up with Polestar on 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 world’s largest 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.”

 

Polestar and its partners will focus their attention on the Polestar 0 project. Announced in 2021, this is Polestar’s industry-leading initiative with the goal to create a truly climate-neutral car 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*. Polestar decided to commit to this target for one simple reason: the transport sector is the fastest-growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sector, expected to reach a share of more than 30 per cent of total GHG emissions in the future**.

 

Interested parties are requested to contact Polestar by 23 March 2022. Full details of how to do so are to be found below.

 

 

 

Notes:

  • *Environmental experts have warned that offsetting through tree-planting is not sustainable in the long run. Questions around the long-term carbon-storage capacity of forests and soils remain as forests could be logged, devastated by fire or altered by climate change.

https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2019/11/SRCCL-Full-Report-Compiled-191128.pdf

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00662-3#ref-CR6

  • **The United Nation’s Environment Programme states that the transport sector is the fastest-growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sector, expected to reach a share of more than 30% of total GHG emissions in the future. 

 

 

About the invitation for possible collaboration

To participate in the project, the pitch is done through an online recruitment process. 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, the process is open between 23 February and 23 March 2022.

 

The invitation calls on suppliers, researchers, universities, entrepreneurs, investors, governmental- and non-governmental organisations and innovators to come together to develop the technologies of the future. What will unite the future partners is a shared conviction that zero means zero, no low-carbon solutions, and no misleading offsetting schemes.

 

 

About the Polestar 0 Project

The Polestar 0 project is Polestar’s moon-shot goal of creating the first truly climate neutral car by 2030 which was announced in the company’s first annual review, published in April 2021. The Polestar 0 project aims to cut carbon emissions by changing the way that cars are made, rather than using traditional processes and then planting trees to offset CO2e. The approach will encompass collaboration across the entire development process and value chain, from suppliers to retailers.

 

Polestar aims to be climate neutral across operations by 2040. The project targets what Polestar can measure and control: zero carbon emissions in the production of the car, delivery to customer, and end.-of-life. The use phase of an electric car can already today be close to climate neutral if the car is charged with renewable energy.

 

 

About Hydro

Hydro is a leading aluminium and renewable energy company, with global operations in more than 40 countries. Hydro offers unmatched research and development knowledge in the field of aluminium automotive design. This includes high-strength aluminium alloy development, as well as aluminium extrusions and applied manufacturing skills in bending, machining, joining, surface treatment and assembly. Hydro works with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) globally to promote, distribute and design class-leading aluminium products in the automotive sector.

 

 

 About ZF

ZF is a global technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, enabling the next generation of mobility. ZF allows vehicles to see, think and act. In the four technology domains of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving, and Electric Mobility, ZF offers comprehensive product and software solutions for established vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging transport and mobility service providers. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate and enhancing safe mobility.

 

In fiscal year 2020, ZF reported sales of €32.6 billion. The company employs more than 150,000 associates at approximately 270 locations in 42 countries.

 

For further press information and photos, please visit: www.zf.com

 

 

About SSAB

SSAB is a Nordic and US-based steel company. SSAB offers value added products and services developed in close cooperation with its customers to create a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world. SSAB has employees in over 50 countries. SSAB has production facilities in Sweden, Finland and the US. SSAB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and has a secondary listing on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.ssab.com.

 

 

About Autoliv

Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV; Nasdaq Stockholm: ALIV.sdb) is the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems. Through our group companies, we develop, manufacture and market protective systems, such as airbags, seatbelts, and steering wheels for all major automotive manufacturers in the world as well as mobility safety solutions, such as pedestrian protection, connected safety services and safety solutions for riders of powered two wheelers. At Autoliv, we challenge and re-define the standards of mobility safety to sustainably deliver leading solutions. In 2021, our products saved close to 35,000 lives. Every year our products prevent more than 300,000 severe injuries. 

 

Our more than 60,000 associates in 27 countries are passionate about our vision of Saving More Lives and quality is at the heart of everything we do. We drive innovation, research, and development at our 14 technical centers, with their 20 test tracks. Sales in 2021 amounted to US $ 8.2 billion. For more information go to www.autoliv.com.

 

 

About ZKW

The ZKW Group is the specialist for innovative premium lighting systems and electronics. As a system supplier, ZKW is a global partner to the automotive industry. The group develops and produces products based on our motto of “Bright Minds, Bright Lights,” combining bright minds with modern production technologies to produce complex premium lighting and electronic modules for international automotive manufacturers. The top products include powerful and cost-efficient complete LED systems.

 

In accordance with the corporate vision “Ground-breaking premium lighting and electronic systems from ZKW for all mobility concepts of the global automotive industry”, the company’s primary goal is to produce top-quality high-tech products and to promote the development of innovative holistic lighting systems.

 

With our discoveries and inventions, the ZKW corporate group makes vehicles more desirable, more unique, safer, and more energy efficient. With intelligent lighting systems and innovative styling, ZKW is shaping the look and character of vehicles worldwide.

 

 

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