The life cycle of electric cars is not yet sustainable, ideally, because their production involves many difficult aspects to overcome. In the interest of transparency, Polestar has revealed how much it costs the planet to produce the new Model 4.
The production of an electric car still has a higher carbon footprint than a model with an internal combustion engine, precisely because of the batteries it consists of.
Although this discrepancy does not become apparent during the useful life of electric models, this is still an argument used by those who oppose electric mobility.
Given the purpose of EVs and what the world expects from them, even if it doesn't expect it on a consensual basis, manufacturers have invested in greening their life cycle.
Now, Polestar published The first Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of its new Polestar 4, revealing it has the lowest carbon footprint of any of its cars to date.
Polestar shares analysis of its lowest-polluting model
The document begins by setting context, explaining that the Polestar 4 is produced at Geely Holdings' SEA plant in Hangzhou Bay, China, and that it combines green electricity, with I-REC hydropower certification, and photovoltaic electricity collected on the hull roof. .
Furthermore, it argues that increased use of low-carbon aluminum, from hydroelectric smelters, helps reduce climate impact.
Data on the percentage of recycled aluminum was included, for the first time, in the analysis. This component represents 23/24% of the carbon footprint, while steel and iron represent 20%, and battery units represent the largest share of the carbon footprint of material production and refining, 36/40%.
The standard-range single engine of the Polestar 4, initially available in China, had a carbon footprint of 19.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. In contrast, the carbon footprint of the long-range, single-engine version is 19.9 tons of CO2 equivalent, while the carbon footprint of the long-range, twin-engined version is 21.4 tons of CO2.
To support our goal of zero emissions, we have established carbon budgets for all our cars.
Throughout the Polestar 4's product development, its carbon budget influenced everything from material choices to the factory's energy sources. Sharing the LCA allows us to demonstrate our ability to strive for net zero – one ton of CO2 equivalent at a time.
said Frederika Clarin, Head of Sustainability at Polestar.
carbon dioxide equivalent (Carbon Dioxide) consists of an internationally standardized scale, used to represent other greenhouse gases in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2).
abbreviation tons of carbon dioxide Means tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Polestar's Vehicle Lifecycle Ratings have been published since 2020 and take into account a range of factors that need to be considered in a vehicle's lifecycle: supply, manufacturing and recycling. What's more, it summarizes the impact of your choices on climate in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
In Polestar's view, this approach "allows consumers to make quick, informed decisions when purchasing a car."
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