As Donald Trump relaxes the US’s climate targets and some carmakers rush to reintroduce petrol or diesel-powered models, Polestar is going in the opposite direction.
The Swedish EV-only brand says it will remain fully electric – and its CEO Michael Lohscheller insists there is no plan to add petrol or plug-in hybrid models to the range.
“We believe in science. Climate change is real,” Lohscheller told Electrifying.com at Polestar’s Gothenburg headquarters. “If we said, 'Hey, we now do ICE engines in our cars', our customers would be like, 'Wow – you can’t do that'. We will not compromise.”
The comments come at a time when several major manufacturers are backtracking on all-electric timelines, increasingly positioning plug-in hybrids as a ‘transition technology’ for drivers still nervous about going full electric.
But Lohscheller says Polestar’s identity depends on staying pure electric – and that the company sees it as a competitive advantage rather than a risk.
“In every meeting, I get the question, 'Will you do a hybrid?'” he said. “And we say no.” He argues that staying EV only allows Polestar to concentrate investment and engineering resources rather than spreading them across multiple powertrains.
“If you simplify it, the first statement is: the mobility of the future has to be zero emissions,” he said. “Electrification is the best solution for that.”
Polestar’s decision may also be shaped by its customer base. The company says the average age of a Polestar customer is 45 – around a decade younger than the traditional premium car buyer. Lohscheller believes those buyers expect car brands to take climate commitments seriously, not hedge their bets.
Polestar’s refusal to chase hybrids is part of a wider strategy to stand out in a market that is becoming increasingly crowded. “We don’t want to be normal,” Lohscheller said. “That’s the best differentiation we can get.”
The stance also removes a safety net at a time when plug-in hybrids are being used by many rivals as a bridge for hesitant buyers – but Polestar believes the long-term direction of travel is inevitable.
“The transformation will happen,” Lohscheller said. “We will not stop that.” As other brands dither, Polestar is sticking to a clear EV-only message that it believes will win it loyal customers, not just sales.
Click here to read about Polestar's plans for four models in the next three years...
Polestar's leading from the top (of Europe) by dragging sustainability further up the carmaking agenda 
