Polestar is a new, all-electric sub-brand from Volvo. (Both companies being owned by Chinese auto manufacturer Geely). The Polestar 2 is based on the CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform and electric drive system that also underpins the Volvo XC40. As such, the Polestar and XC40 share a number of similarities. The Polestar 2 is manufactured at the Luqiao CMA Super Factory in Luqiao, China.
Polestar, like Tesla (and Hyundai for their Ioniq 5), do not offer vehicles for sale through a traditional dealer network. Instead, all Polestar models will be offered for sale at a fixed price through the Polestar website. Currently, test drives of the Polestar 2 are also only bookable via the Polestar website.
The Polestar 2 is described as a 5 door, crossover liftback and provides a slightly more ‘car-like’ driving position (similar to the Hyundai Ioniq) in comparison to the more upright seating positions of what are regarded as its other BEV competitors. These include the Nissan Leaf e+, Kia e-Niro, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volvo XC 40 Recharge, Mercedes EQA and the (hopefully soon to arrive) Tesla Model Y.
Polestar 2 Variants
| Variant | Battery (kWh) | WLTP Range (km) | Real World Range (km) | Power Output (Nm) | Plug Types (AC/DC) | Max Charge Rate (AC/DC) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range | 69 | 470 | 419 | 170 | Type 2/ CCS2 | 11/155 | $63,900 |
| Long Range Single Motor | 78 | 540 | 482 | 170 | Type 2/ CCS2 | 11/155 | $68,400 |
| Long Range Dual Motor | 78 | 480 | 428 | 300 | Type 2/ CCS2 | 11/155 | $69,900 |
DRIVING RANGE
Australian test standards are currently in a state of flux, with the Green Vehicle Guide1 showing some vehicle driving ranges using either an equivalent to the old (and highly over optimistic) European NEDC test cycle figure or the newer European WLTP test cycle figure.
Worse still, for recent additions to the Australian market the GVG often gives no data is given at all! Around town, the WLTP figure is the best guide to range or, if doing outer suburban to regional driving – use the US EPA figure.
Using the US EPA range, a Polestar 2 should be capable of a return trip from the Melbourne GPO to Ararat provided neither the heating nor air conditioning were heavily used. For this sort of trip, it could be useful to do either a ½ – 1 hour 11kW charge at Elizabeth Park in Ararat, or a 10 to 15 min DC fast-charge in Ballarat.
CHARGING SPEEDS/REQUIREMENTS
Charging port
The Polestar 2 is fitted with a CCS2 socket allowing it to charge via Type 2 AC chargers2 as well as CCS2 DC fast-chargers.
AC charging
Like all new EVs sold in Australia, the Polestar 2 is fitted with a type 2 AC socket as part of the CCS2 AC/DC charge plug system.
AC Charging rates:
Single phase: maximum of 7.4 kW (32A)
Three phase: maximum of 11 kW (16A per phase)
DC fast charging
The Polestar 2 uses the CCS2 DC fast-charge connector and can charge at up to 155 kW DC.
This connector is fast becoming the majority DC fast-charge connector type in both Australia and overseas.
Polestar 2 Time to Charge (hrs)
| Battery size (kWh) | 15A socket 1 Phase (2.4kW) | 15A 1 phase (3.6kW) | 32A 1 phase (7.2kW) | 16A 3 phase (11kW) | DC Fast Charge (min)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 33.75h | 21h | 10.5h | 7.2h | 31m |
| 78 | 38.5h | 24h | 12h | 8.25h | 35m |
HOME CHARGING CONSIDERATIONS
To get the shortest home charging time for the Polestar 2, an 11 kW three phase AC EVSE would be needed.
However, depending on your existing power supply and/or charging needs, a lower rated EVSE may only be practicable, or needed. (See notes below). Lower capacity EVSEs will increase charging times, as shown in table 2 above.
The Polestar 2 also comes with a Mode 2 portable EVSE for plugging into a 10A power point. Charging a Polestar 2 Long Range from 0 – 100% with this EVSE will take around 38.5 hours.
Find more info about EVSEs on our FAQs page.
Polestar 2 Specifications
| Rear cargo space (litres) | Rear cargo space with rear seats folded (litres) | Front cargo space (litres) | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Width with mirrors (mm) | Height (mm) | Tow Rating (braked / unbraked) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 405 | 1095 | 31 | 4606 | 1800 | 1985 | 1479 | 1500/750 |
