Polestar, a high-performance electric car brand from Sweden, has previously unveiled its "Polestar 0 project" to build a truly climate-neutral car by 2030 without relying on carbon compensation. Hydro joined the Polestar 0 project as a materials partner to explore how aluminum can contribute to the implementation of the project.
Eivind kk, head of Hydro Aluminum Metals, said: "Polaris has embarked on an inspiring, difficult and important journey, and we are proud to contribute our expertise to explore how aluminum plays a key role in achieving true carbon neutralization."
Polestar is currently working to bring together some of the world's leading material suppliers, including aluminum, for the automotive industry.
"We are pleased that Hydro is interested in working with our Polestar 0 project and we will strive to create a truly climate-neutral Polaris car by 2030. Hydro's development of low-carbon aluminum and the development of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind and solar energy mean that it is a very important partner in the Polestar 0 project, and we strive to reduce emissions in production and use. " Said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.
Hydro has years of experience in providing low-carbon aluminum based on hydropower for automakers, but the Polestar 0 project will require zero-carbon footprint aluminum. Hydro experts will work with Polestar to identify joint R & D projects and explore specific aluminum alloys for vehicles.
Hydro will apply the technology defined in the company's technology roadmap to zero-emission aluminum production, supply Polestar and solve the recycling problem of scrapped vehicles.
In order to reach the Paris climate agreement, Hydro has opened up three ways to achieve net zero emissions of aluminum products by 2030. Either collect and store carbon from existing aluminum smelters by recycling post-consumer waste, or develop Hydro's proprietary HalZero technology for the Greenland smelter. We will now explore which path is most suitable for the Polestar 0 project, "Eivind kk said.
By replacing the internal combustion engine with an electric engine, emissions can be reduced to almost zero if the car is charged with renewable energy. The next focus is on materials, manufacturing methods, renewable energy throughout the supply chain, and how vehicles are dismantled and recycled at the end of their useful life.
Lightweight aluminum alloy is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of electric vehicles. In addition to reducing weight, the energy absorption properties of aluminum also improve safety, and the material is completely recyclable.
