There are plenty of new options for electric cars popping up on the market, proving that they can replace our petrol cars for everyday use. The more infrastructure available for EVs, the easier that transition is going to be. Whether you're looking for a sporty chic addition to your life in the city, or a sturdy all-terrain for weekend trips or living in a more rural area, you really can't go wrong with a Polestar.
We know this because the 1MW team were able to put it to the test by driving a Polestar 2 to our annual work retreat in the Blue Mountains, NSW. We're excited to be partnered with Polestar to begin to explore what a circular car company can actually look like, not just in the future but right now in 2023!
Polestar
If you haven't heard too much about Polestar, they're a Swedish car company who want to eliminate the negative impacts of their cars at every stage of production and lifecycle. Their ultimate goal is producing the world's first truly climate neutral vehicle by 2030, and they've been partnering with innovative companies to help realise this.
Polestar have been around since the 90's, originally stemming from Volvo's performance and luxury range. Now, they've evolved into making sophisticated yet easy to drive, fully electric cars for a green future. They easily rival the top electric car companies with ease, in performance and design. One thing that also helps them stand apart from the rest, is their transparency. They are the first car maker globally to use Blockchain technology to trace the Cobalt in its batteries to a responsible and ethical source.
The source and sustainability of EV batteries comes up a lot when it comes to talking about EVs. Polestar aims to be transparent in their battery manufacturing as well as ensuring longevity in their batteries once built via repair, refurbishment, and repurposing.
And the planet friendly tech doesn't stop under the hood! Polestar also uses as much recycled material as possible - from the use of recycled yarn and fishing nets for their seats, and other interior details (which are made to size to reduce off cuts), to recycled cork from the wine industry incorporated into the structure of Polestar interiors. This is the ingenuity that we want to see from all our manufacturing industries in 2023 and beyond.
Image: Polestar Website
Is Australia ready for more electric cars?
It's no secret that Australia has been in the slow lane in terms of electric cars, but accessibility to charging stations has drastically improved! Most car companies have an average wait time of 6 months, from order to delivery, but it is definitely worth the wait!
But how do EVs stack up price wise? It's true that electric cars can be more expensive up front than the classics, but electric cars will definitely save you in the long run. Not to mention, you'll be laughing every time you pass by a petrol station not needing to pay to fill up. The average Aussie spends over $100 a week on petrol, and you'll be paying nothing, or if not, a tenth of that at a charging station. If you have solar panels, and a battery at home, this is the dream situation!
The federal government is even pushing for people to invest in EVs for their next car. The Labor government launched its very first electric vehicle strategy in September 2022. It aims to increase charging infrastructure, tax incentives and cutting import tariffs. There are even added perks in each state and territory.
Getting petrol guzzling cars off the road is a huge win for climate action, and electric vehicles are definitely the way to go. They're the way of the future, and Australia has a lot of catching up to do! But on the bright side, it's estimated EV car sales will make up more than 35% of brand new car sales by 2030. There's no doubt that there is demand for EVs - the supply just needs to catch up and this is something that the government can help by passing the right legislation.
Not all of us can afford a brand new EV - it's true. But the more EVs on the market, the more they filter down to Australia's second-hand vehicle market.
Specifically the NSW government has just announced a new round of subsidies for EVs, with most funding going to ride-share and vehicle subscription firms. The Australian EV Association welcome the scheme because, "Fleet vehicles tend to have short leases - three-year arrangements - and then they're flipped into the second-hand market which will mean more high-quality EVs are available at a lower price,"
So with all this in mind, if you're thinking about your next car purchase and want to make this next big decision one that really benefits you and the planet, look for the 100% electric option.
Thanks to Polestar for being our partner and a car company that has circularity at it's heart, investing in a fossil fuel free future for us all!
