Polestar is focusing on reducing its supply chain emissions by using renewable fuels on its ocean freight routes, which account for around 75 per cent of the manufacturer’s total transportation emissions.
As Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 production ramps up, the manufacturer will use renewable fuel for around 65 per cent of its outbound ocean freight, for vehicles being transported from Asia to Polestar’s Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Polestar also plans to integrate renewable fuels on freight from North America during the second half of the year, as production of Polestar 3 expands to South Carolina.
Through the utilisation of B30 Biofuel, which contains 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), emissions from these shipping routes can be reduced by approximately 20-25 per cent, compared with conventional Sulphur fuel oils, the manufacturer says.
Polestar has taken steps to decarbonise inter-continental inbound ocean freight for production materials and spare parts distribution, which are now running on 100 per cent FAME fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 84 per cent compared to fossil fuel. The FAME fuel is based on renewable sources, including waste cooking oil.
“This is an important step in Polestar’s goal to reach climate neutrality by 2040,” Polestar Head of Operations, Jonas Engström said.
“Becoming truly climate neutral means eliminating all greenhouse gas emissions across our operations, and all phases of our cars’ life cycles, including emissions from the supply chain.
“As we enter an accelerating phase of growth with our model line-up and manufacturing footprint expanding, there is an extra emphasis on the need for sustainable logistics solutions.”
Polestar now also operates its VPC in Belgium on 100 per cent renewable electricity, including the charging of vehicles ahead of delivery to European customers.
According to Polestar’s Sustainability Report for 2023, greenhouse gas emissions per car sold were reduced by 9% during 2023, compared to 2022, showing that it is possible to decouple growth from increased emissions.
