Designing More Sustainable Mobility
Legacy free and mission driven, Polestar is a purely electric car brand, and it is their vision to make the desirable choice the right one.
Designing with purpose: Leading the way towards more sustainable mobility
Polestar was born out of the need for sustainable change: The mobility sector is a big driver of climate change, with road transport accounting for over 15% of global energy related emissions. For Polestar, sustainability is not an afterthought or a feature – it is the foundation of our business strategy. On their path to creating zero emission vehicles, they have already reduced their emissions per vehicle sold by 25%.
Polestar’s philosophy is built on three pillars: sustainability, design, and performance. Sustainability is why the company starts. Design is how it solves. Performance is what it delivers. Each pillar is essential on its own, but together they define Polestar and the kind of future it aims to create. Every decision, from the choice of materials to the methods of production and delivery, is guided by a deep sense of responsibility toward people and the planet. The company’s sustainability strategy focuses on four key areas: climate neutrality, circularity, transparency, and inclusion. Through these, Polestar is committed to accelerating the transition toward future-proof, sustainable mobility.
For Polestar, good design is never about decoration. Every line and surface exists for a reason. Design is seen as a tool for purpose and reduction—a way to create meaningful innovation. The company envisions an automotive industry where materials are borrowed and then returned when a product reaches the end of its life. This philosophy drives Polestar to make informed material choices and explore new, innovative production techniques. By embedding sustainability into the creative process, Polestar aims to design products that mirror the natural cycles of life.
An example of this approach can be seen in Polestar’s use of Nappa leather, which is a by-product of the meat industry. The material is sourced from farms where cattle are raised primarily for food, giving the leather a second life through thoughtful design rather than allowing it to go to waste. Similarly, recycled fish nets and other plastic waste are transformed into ECONYL® polyamide, which is used for car carpets and other interior monomaterials. Recognizing that a significant portion of an electric vehicle’s carbon footprint comes from its exterior materials such as aluminum and steel, Polestar launched a project in 2021 to develop solutions for reducing emissions in production.
Polestar’s moonshot goal
Polestar’s most ambitious sustainability initiative is the Polestar 0 project—a moonshot goal to create a truly climate-neutral car. This means eliminating emissions at every stage of a vehicle’s life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life recycling. The project represents Polestar’s determination to confront the challenges of the climate crisis head-on through innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement.
By holding itself accountable, partnering across industries, and continuously pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and engineering, Polestar strives to redefine what is possible—without compromise.
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