You carry a Chilly's bottle instead of a plastic bottle. You’ve forgone fast fashion and rent your style staples. But, still driving a fossil-fuelled car, instead of an electric vehicle? You’re missing out on one of the biggest changes you can make to live a less-impactful lifestyle.
Granted, remembering to take reusable bags to the supermarket is a less expensive and somewhat easier step to take towards sustainability. When it comes to living more considerately we're the first to admit that every action, no matter how small, helps. But if you are considering buying a new car (or making the change from ICE to electric vehicle) this is why your car counts.
While some sceptics claim that manufacture of electric vehicles - and the electricity sources that power them - mean they can never be ‘clean’, over their lifetime EV’s contribute significantly less emissions than a traditional petrol or diesel motor. When cutting down on emissions is a global priority to slow climate change, that can only be a good thing.
To see if we can make that change, GLAMOUR tested the Polestar 2 - a premium electric performance fastback. Launched in 2019, Polestar comes from Volvo heritage with all the slick Swedish design you could dream of. The model we trialled costs £59,500 (this includes the addition of some extras, such as slick alloy wheels and ventilated seats…) but other models start at £39,900 with a vegan interior as standard. Every model is beautifully minimal and sleek and glides past with silent majesty. That’s not an exaggeration. Even though the car doesn't rev and make a noise to get attention, its quiet good looks were still a head-turner as pedestrians and other drivers all craned their necks to get a better view.
So, yes, we know this electric vehicle looks damn good but the most important question when buying an EV is working out its range. Fact: The Polestar 2 can travel 320-241 miles before it needs recharging. If you ask the built in Google Android Automotive OS to plan your route, it will tell you how much charge will be left on arrival (and notes where you can stop during your journey to re-charge.) Unlike pumping petrol, which takes five minutes max (including time to rummage around in your handbag for your debit card) you will need to factor in around 45minutes for a full-charge. But if you’re serious about leading a lower-emission life, that shouldn’t be too much of a hardship.
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The Polestar 2 can also do 0-60mph in 7seconds and has a top speed of 100mph. Its lean looks make you think it's built for speed but reframing traditional car buying is where the biggest change in your thinking should occur. Innovations such as regenerative braking are more important than speed (this means every time you take your foot off the gas, energy from the slowing process is stored in the battery to prolong your range.) Also of note, EV’s are almost all automatic, although as someone used to manual I would switch to an automatic EV in a heartbeat.
One other feature that could prove game-changing is the locking sensor. If your key fob is in your bag, you don’t have to physically unlock the car or even press a button. Just put your hand over the handle to unlock it, and voila. Imagine never being in a car park at night, keys grasped ready in your hand, knowing you’ve got 30 more seconds of fiddling before you’re inside your car... Simply being near the vehicle, with the keys, is enough to let you in safely. Locking the car is similarly smooth - as long as your keys are on your person, waving your hand over the handle is enough to click it closed. Jaw drop. Mic drop.
Even without the government’s planned addition of VAT to electric vehicles, a new car is not a cheap investment but if you’re able to switch, it could be the most sustainable action you can take now - and for the future. Find out more at https://www.polestar.com/uk/polestar-2
Read more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton here or follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton
The foot-operated boot. That is all.
