Polestar 3 officially debuts with 300-mile range for a whopping $84k, will be manufactured in the US
After months of anticipation, Polestar has pulled the entire sheet off its first-ever electric SUV, the Polestar 3. Today we have a multitude of new details surrounding the SUV to share, including estimated range, performance specs, and starting price. The Polestar 3 will also eventually be built in the US, begging the question whether some iteration of it will be able to qualify for federal tax credits.
Polestar is an EV-centric automotive brand launched in 2017 as a venture co-owned by Volvo Cars Group and Geely Holding. The automaker currently sells two electrified vehicles – the PHEV Polestar 1 and the all-electric Polestar 2 – but there are at least four more on the way.
The two EVs above share plenty of Volvo DNA, but Polestar has been working to deliver a new bespoke breed of EV models beginning with the Polestar 3 SUV. It will be followed by a Polestar 4 SUV in 2023 and the the Polestar 5 in 2024, based upon Polestar’s original concept EV, the Precept.
Most recently, Polestar revealed its O₂ roadster concept will also enter production as the Polestar 6, but enough about the future. Let’s focus on the here and now, and that includes the Polestar 3, its pricing, and our first look at its interior. Check it out.
Polestar 3 standard features and performance specs
According to its press release, the Polestar 3 will begin deliveries next year, beginning with a dual motor long range trim. For the first model year versions, Polestar will include the Plus Pack and Pilot Pack fitted as standard.
The Plus pack includes a 25-speaker audio system from Bowers & Wilkins with 3D surround sound and Dolby Atmos capability, soft-closing doors, an electric steering column, and a heated steering wheel.
The Pilot pack includes a head-up display, Park Assist Pilot and the Pilot Assist driver assistance system. In Q2 of 2023, customers will also be able to order a Pilot Pack add-on that includes LiDAR and a control unit from NVIDIA, preparing the Polestar 3 for autonomous capabilities in the future.
For an additional $6,000, customers can add the Performance Pack, which ups the SUV’s torque and horsepower as you’ll see in the specs below. This pack also includes unique 22-inch forged alloy wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tires, and signature “Swedish gold” details. Here are those additional, pertinent specs.
| Polestar 3 | Long Range Dual Motor |
| Power | 489 hp (617 hp with Performance Pack) |
| Torque | 620 lb-ft (671 lb-ft with Performance Pack) |
| 0-60 mph (targeted) | 4.9 seconds (4.5 seconds with Performance Pack) |
| Top Speed | 130 mph |
| Battery Capacity (nominal) | 111 kWh |
| Battery Type | 400V lithium-ion |
| Range (targeted) | Up to 610 km (WLTP), 300 miles (EPA) |
| Motor Configuration | Dual, front and rear |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.29 Cd |
| Drag Force | 0.78 CdA |
| Charging Capacity (DC) | up to 250 kW |
| Charging Capacity (AC) | up to 11 kW |
| Curb Weight | 5,696-5,886 lbs |
| Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs, 350 lbs tongue weight |
| Starting MSRP | $83,900* |
Interior
Moving inward, the Polestar 3 boasts a level of awareness to sustainability its creators are becoming quite well known for. Interior materials include MicroTech upholstery, animal welfare-certified leather, and fully-traceable wool upholstery. Polestar states then when 3 production begins, it will complete a life cycle assessment to find additional ways to reduce its carbon footprint throughout.
The Polestar 3 will be the first vehicle to feature centralized computing from the NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, serving as its AI brain. Infotainment will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platform to deliver high-definition displays, premium sound quality and “seamless connectivity.”
The SUV’s OS is Android Automotive evolving from software that debuted in the Polestar 2. It allows for OTA updates, enabling continuous software improvements and rollouts of new features. Five radar modules, five external cameras, and twelve external ultrasonic sensors to support numerous advanced safety features inside and out of the EV and are complemented by two closed-loop driver monitoring cameras that can trigger warning messages, sounds, and even an emergency stop when detecting a distracted, drowsy, or unconscious driver.
Polestar 3 to be built in US, but may not qualify for tax credits
Initial production of the Polestar is expected to begin at Volvo Cars’ facility in Chengdu, China beginning in mid-2023 – first deliveries are expected in Q4 of 2023, about a year from now. However, Polestar is planning additional Polestar 3 manufacturing on US soil, the automaker’s first model to be built outside of China. Per CEO Thomas Ingenlath:
Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics. It also takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United States. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth.
Polestar states that US manufacturing will take place at Volvo Cars’ facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina toward the middle of 2024, with local deliveries expected soon thereafter. From that point onward, the automaker says all Polestar 3 production for North America and “select other markets” will originate from the US.
By being assembled on US soil, the Polestar 3 could eventually qualify for federal EV tax credits under revised terms of the recently signed Inflation Reduction Act. However, its current MSRP of nearly $84,000 already surpasses the price threshold of $80k for electric SUVs that will kick in on January 1, 2023.
In a July interview, Ingenlath divulged that the automaker intended to price the Polestar 3 between $75,000 and $110,000. Its initial MSRP for the dual motor long range version certainly fits in that pricing frame, but with previous intentions to aim lower, could we see a lower priced version of the SUV that qualifies for tax credits? Perhaps a stripped down, single-motor version of the Polestar 3 can get down below $80k, potentially qualifying for up to $7,500 back from Uncle Sam.
For now, the automaker’s focus is on getting this initial dual motor version out into the world next year, but we’d surmise that additional versions, whether priced higher or lower, should emerge at some point. Our next task will be to get behind the wheel of Polestar’s first SUV and report back.
Until then, here’s the world premiere video of the Polestar 3:
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Leading electric vehicle analyst, author, and industry thought leaders Loren McDonald and Bill Ferro stop by Quick Charge to discuss EV Adoption’s acquisition by Paren, the “crisis” of EV charging reliability, and the real state of the EV market.
Depending on who you listen, EVs are either driving brands to record growth and are about cross that critical 10% of the overall market nationwide, or the future is bleak, the market is down, and EVs just aren’t selling. What’s really going on? Loren and Bill (probably) have some answers.
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Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.
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Chevy EV owners in Texas who have Reliant as their electric utility can now charge for free at night with renewable energy.
Over 150 Chevrolet dealerships across Texas are now offering the Reliant Free Charge Nights plan to new EV buyers. With Free Charge Nights, customers can offset their charging costs by receiving credits for electricity used between 11 pm and 6 am. The plan is powered entirely by renewable energy, thanks to the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Rasesh Patel, president of NRG Consumer, says the plan is about making power personal: “We’re excited to help Chevrolet EV drivers offset the cost of charging their vehicle all while having access to a renewable electricity plan.”
This collaboration aims to make EV adoption more appealing by making charging cheaper and greener. GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, Aseem Kapur, emphasized that partnerships like this help build the ecosystem needed to support an all-electric future: “The Reliant Free Charge Nights plan is a great example of how an automaker and an energy company can work together to make EV adoption an easy decision.”
Existing Reliant customers can also sign up for the Free Charge Nights plan. To get started, Chevrolet EV owners need to designate their vehicle on the GM Energy Smart Charging Portal before enrolling in the plan.
Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, serves over 1.5 million customers in Texas, making it one of the largest electricity providers in the state.
Read more: Texas to get 1 GW AI-powered virtual power plant, enough to power 200,000 homes
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Texas is about to get a major power boost – a new AI-powered virtual power plant (VPP) delivering capacity equivalent to 200,000 homes during peak demand.
NRG Energy is teaming up with Renew Home to bring nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity to the Texas grid by 2035, aiming to make it more resilient while helping residents save on energy costs.
The new VPP will rely on hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats and other connected home devices, making use of AI technology provided by Google Cloud. These devices, like Vivint and Nest smart thermostats, will be offered to eligible customers at no cost. By automating HVAC adjustments, they help shift energy use to when electricity is cheaper, cleaner, and less strained.
NRG and Renew Home have big plans for the VPP. Starting in spring 2025, the companies plan to roll out the program across Texas, installing these smart thermostats in homes served by NRG’s retail electricity providers. Eventually, they plan to add home battery storage and EVs to expand the power plant’s capabilities.
Texas has faced record-breaking energy demands, with peak usage hitting 85 GW in 2023. As the state’s population grows and extreme weather becomes more frequent, VPPs like this one could play a key role in stabilizing the grid. VPPs aggregate a lot of small-scale energy resources, from smart thermostats to home batteries, and use them to help balance supply and demand during times of high stress on the grid.
This nearly 1 GW VPP will be one of the largest of its kind in Texas. NRG’s president of consumer operations, Rasesh Patel, calls it a “pivotal step” for improving customer experience while making Texas’ energy infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
In addition to Renew Home, NRG is working with Google Cloud to maximize the power plant’s effectiveness. Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools will help predict weather conditions, forecast renewable generation, and optimize energy usage, all of which will help make energy management smoother for both customers and the grid.
Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home, said:
NRG’s commitment to creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future while also making electricity bills more affordable makes them an ideal partner for co-developing this unique VPP program.
This initiative raises the bar for future-proofing our electricity infrastructure and delivering cost savings to customers.
Read: Chinese solar giant Trina sells its Texas factory a week after it opens
To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
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