Polestar, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is enhancing its efforts to reduce supply chain emissions by integrating renewable fuels in its ocean freight routes, which account for approximately 75% of its total transportation emissions.
The company has begun operating its Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) in Belgium using 100% renewable electricity. The VPC serves as a finishing and preparation point for vehicles before delivery to European customers, ensuring that the vehicles are charged with renewable electricity.
As production of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 increases, renewable fuel will be used for around 65% of the outbound ocean freight of produced vehicles from Asia to Polestar’s VPC in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Polestar plans to extend the use of renewable fuels to freight from North America in the second half of the year, as production of the Polestar 3 expands to South Carolina. By utilizing B30 Biofuel, which contains 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), emissions from these shipping routes can be reduced by approximately 20-25% compared to conventional Sulfur fuel oils.
In its efforts to decarbonize intercontinental inbound ocean freight for production materials and spare parts distribution, Polestar has shifted to using 100% FAME fuel, resulting in an 84% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel. The FAME fuel is sourced from renewable sources, including waste cooking oil, with no feedstock related to palm oil or its production being used.
Polestar’s commitment to sustainability is further underscored by its recently published Sustainability Report for 2023, which highlights a 9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per sold car compared to 2022. This achievement demonstrates the company’s ability to decouple growth from increased emissions, showcasing its dedication to environmental responsibility.