Queenstown’s ambitious goal for a carbon zero visitor economy by 2030 has been boosted by leading EV manufacturer Polestar.  Polestar has strengthened its commitment to Queenstown by partnering with Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce as official vehicle supplier, adding to their existing support of Destination Queenstown.

Last year the Queenstown Lakes region announced its carbon zero by 2030 ambition, identifying decarbonisation as a vital component of regenerative tourism. Polestar is a natural partner for Queenstown with this goal, not only producing zero emission cars but with their strong focus on sustainability and reduction of CO2 emissions in the production of vehicles.

Securing the agreement with Polestar for the all-electric cars aligns three great brands that share a common vision and aligned key values.

Destination Queenstown CEO, Mat Woods, said that these achievements resonate with Queenstown Inc.’s goals by showing that it is possible to decouple growth from increased emissions. “We are delighted with the partnership with Polestar – a renowned global EV brand that is committed to sustainability and has the same decarbonisation ambitions as we do. Polestar is a fantastic car to drive and fulfils all the extra requirements we have living in the mountains: super long range, powerful all-wheel drive and proven for our weather conditions,” said Mat.

Developed in Sweden, Polestars are designed to cope in mountain conditions while also delivering high performance alongside lower running costs, something that every business is conscious of. “In this economic climate businesses are conscious of reducing their overheads, particularly with the cost of fuel, and switching to electric vehicles not only reduces expenses but is good for the planet, “ said Mat.

The partnership supports the collaboration between DQ and Queenstown Business and their joint commitment to leading the way for businesses in sustainability and innovation. Queenstown Business CEO Sharon Fifield says, “Whenever there is a need to upgrade fleet, the smart decision is to invest in electric.  This not only benefits the planet, but also the bottom line of businesses by moving away from unsustainable and expensive fossil fuels. With Polestar now having three models available, there is an option for all businesses looking to reduce emissions.”

Queenstown Business and Destination Queenstown members can also benefit from the partnership, with Polestar offering an exclusive member’s discount.

Bruce Fowler, Polestar New Zealand Brand Manager, acknowledges that the move to fully electric vehicles might feel like a big step for any business or private owner, “Having been developed in Scandinavia, Polestar vehicles are built to handle anything the most bitter southern winter might offer. With onboard heat pumps, a Polestar can even be pre-warmed ahead of your drive. Polestar is also supported by a nationwide service network, including Queenstown Lakes.

About Polestar

Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is the Swedish electric performance car brand determined to improve society by using design and technology to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, its cars are available online in 27 markets globally across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Polestar plans to have a line-up of five performance EVs by 2026. Polestar 2, the electric performance fastback, launched in 2019. Polestar 3, the SUV for the electric age, launched in late 2022. Polestar 4, the SUV coupé transformed, is launching in phases through 2023 and into 2024. Polestar 5, an electric four-door GT and Polestar 6, an electric roadster, are coming soon.

Polestar has a goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2040. Becoming truly climate-neutral means eliminating all greenhouse gas emissions across operations, and all phases of a car’s life cycle. This includes emissions from supply chain and manufacturing, as well as energy use during the car’s use phase. The Polestar 0 project supports the company’s ambitious goal of creating a truly climate-neutral production car by 2030. The research initiative also aims to create a sense of urgency to act on the climate crisis, by challenging employees, suppliers and the wider automotive industry, to drive towards zero.

View, book a test drive or purchase at  www.polestar.com