Polestar takes "full responsibility" for data security in its cars, will track AI energy usage

The energy used by artificial intelligence (AI) is extremely topical at the moment, as is data security in vehicles – and Polestar says it's taking responsibility for both.

Speaking with CarExpert at the reveal of the Polestar Formula 2030 concept, chief sustainability officer for Polestar Cars, Fredrika Klarén, said the Swedish brand goes so far as to account for any CO2 emissions or energy consumed by AI in its climate calculations.

"For us, the important thing is that we find a partner who wants to be as transparent as we are, and I think that that is what we have found in Google. We've had a long-standing collaboration with Google, not only on Gemini, but beyond that – I mean the Google Assistant we were first with," Ms Klarén said.

"Not only will we tell the customer how much energy is being used when they use Gemini, we will also account for the CO2 in our climate calculation. So we will put it on our books, like we do with everything else.

"A lot of OEMs today, when they put out their annual climate report, they don't account for the use phase of the car, for some reason they think that that is not their responsibility, but they design the car, they design how much energy is going to be used, and they can also influence how the drivers drive the car and so on.

"So for us, it's been natural to account for that, and the same goes with with use of Gemini, for example, then in the car that we will try to account, and probably will need to develop our own methodology for how to do it.

"I think that having a partner [in Google] where we also trust in their ability to push themselves to be transparent has been key in this, because that is the most important thing now for us."

CarExpert also quizzed Polestar's sustainability lead on whether the company has any special measures in place for data and cyber security given the current sensitivities around China, where the bulk of Polestar's vehicles are manufactured.

"We have a very strict policy, very strict directives on this," Ms Klarén replied.

"We have a huge team working on it so this is an incredibly important issue where we take full responsibility. So yes is the answer to that question."

Earlier this year, Polestar was forced to withdraw from the US market after the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) refused to grant authorisation to continue selling vehicles there, citing national security concerns.

Under the Connected Vehicle Rule, applicable from model year 2027 (MY27) onwards, the BIS “prohibits sales of connected vehicles by connected vehicle manufacturers owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of China or Russia, and vehicles using their covered software”.

That's despite Polestar producing the Polestar 3 SUV at the Volvo Cars plant in South Carolina, which also produces the related Volvo EX90 SUV.

Volvo hasn't been impacted by the US BIS's ruling, allowing it to “continue its growth plans in the US".

Polestar Cars falls under the umbrella of Geely Holding, the parent of the Geely, Zeekr and Volvo Cars brands; but according to a recent US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing Geely's boss, Li Shufu, also owns over 60 per cent of Polestar.

While Geely Holding is the majority owner of Volvo, it's understood Mr Shufu doesn't hold a separate overwhelming personal stake in the Swedish automaker.

Polestar's Australian operation is unaffected by the changes in the US, as confirmed by local managing director, Scott Maynard, following the announcement.

"Polestar Australia will continue to operate as normal; the overnight decision to cease sales of MY27 vehicles in the US will have no impact on the local market here,” Mr Maynard said in a statement.

“With 94 per cent of Polestar's global sales originating outside of the US, this decision affirms Polestar's commitments to those other key markets, such as Australia."

Polestar will, however, start introducing vehicles to Australia made outside of China, starting with the new Polestar 4 SUV, which unlike the related coupe in Australia is sourced from Busan, in South Korea.

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