Swedish performance electric vehicle brand Polestar and the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) are calling on Australian and global suppliers, researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to put forward the best cleantech ideas to assist with the development of a truly climate-neutral vehicle—a feat yet to be achieved by any automotive marque.
The climate-neutral vehicle, aimed to be launched in 2030 and code-named the Polestar 0 Project, will be developed with the single goal of eliminating emissions from the entire supply chain including all logistics and support functions rather than planting trees to offset CO2 emissions.
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“At Polestar, we are not just about changing the cars we drive, we are about changing the way vehicles are made. Vehicles are not produced sustainably today but by addressing the challenge of climate change through the supply chain we can be part of the solution,” Polestar Australia managing director Samantha Johnson said.
“We know that Australia is home to some of the best innovative minds and businesses, manufacturing high-quality products that are competitive on the world stage. We are seeking their input into the global Polestar 0 Project as we accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility.”
The climate-neutral vehicle initiative will consider all manner of proposals from Australian entities whether currently available or in the early stages of development to secure a future CO2-free solution. To assist with spreading the message, Polestar Australia will engage with AMGC, Australia’s pre-eminent industry body for local manufacturers.
AMGC managing director Dr Jens Goennemann said, “Polestar’s call to industry to tackle emissions across the entire manufacturing value chain is to be commended.
“Australian manufacturers have a long history of developing, commercialising, and exporting high-quality and complex items. This initiative gives Australian manufacturers a unique opportunity to get in at the ground floor into a global market and to be part of a bold collaborative program.”
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To mark the launch of the global initiative, Polestar has signed Letters of Intent to collaborate with SSAB, Hydro, ZF, ZKW and Autoliv. It intends to work with these partners to significantly revise how cars are made, and what they are made of, to decarbonise manufacturing, and society more widely. The program will aim to eliminate all CO2 emissions from every material, function, and supply chain process.
Polestar already boasts a link to Australia in the form of automotive lighting manufacturer STEDI. Founded in Melbourne in 2013, STEDI manufacture high-quality LED driving lights, which featured prominently on the recent Polestar 2 ‘Arctic Circle’ special version.
Interested parties can register to participate at this link by March 23, 2022.
