Polestar, the Swedish electric car brand, has been making waves in the automotive industry with its innovative and sustainable approach to mobility. However, despite its success and growing popularity, the company is facing a roadblock in its efforts to rejoin Australia’s top automotive industry body.
Polestar, which is owned by Volvo Cars and its parent company Geely, has been excluded from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) since its launch in 2017. The FCAI is the peak industry body representing the interests of the automotive industry in Australia. This exclusion has been a major setback for Polestar, as it has limited the company’s access to important industry information and resources.
In a recent statement, Polestar expressed its disappointment at not being able to rejoin the FCAI despite its efforts. The company has been actively engaging with the FCAI and has met all the criteria for membership, including having a physical presence in Australia and meeting the required sales volume. However, the FCAI has not yet extended an invitation to Polestar to rejoin the industry body.
Polestar’s exclusion from the FCAI is not only a setback for the company but also for the Australian automotive industry as a whole. With its focus on sustainability and low-emissions vehicles, Polestar has a lot to offer in terms of innovation and driving the industry towards a greener future. The company’s exclusion from the FCAI is a missed opportunity for collaboration and progress in the industry.
Polestar is now calling for more support for the National Electric Vehicle Strategy (NVES) and low-emissions vehicles in Australia. The NVES, which was launched in 2018, aims to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles in the country and reduce emissions from the transport sector. However, the progress towards achieving the goals of the NVES has been slow, and Polestar believes that more support and incentives are needed to drive the adoption of low-emissions vehicles.
The company’s call for support is not without merit. Australia has been lagging behind other developed countries in terms of electric vehicle adoption. According to the International Energy Agency, Australia has one of the lowest electric vehicle sales in the world, with only 0.6% of new car sales being electric in 2020. This is in stark contrast to countries like Norway, where electric vehicles make up more than half of all new car sales.
Polestar believes that with the right support and incentives, Australia has the potential to become a leader in the adoption of low-emissions vehicles. The company has already seen a positive response from Australian consumers, with its Polestar 2 model receiving a warm reception in the market. However, without the support of the industry body and the government, the company’s efforts to drive the transition towards sustainable mobility will be limited.
In addition to calling for more support for low-emissions vehicles, Polestar is also urging the FCAI to reconsider its decision and extend an invitation for the company to rejoin the industry body. The company believes that its exclusion is not only unfair but also detrimental to the industry’s progress towards a more sustainable future.
Polestar’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond just producing electric vehicles. The company has also implemented various initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, such as using renewable energy in its production facilities and offsetting emissions from its supply chain. By rejoining the FCAI, Polestar can share its expertise and collaborate with other industry players to drive further progress towards a greener automotive industry.
In conclusion, Polestar’s exclusion from Australia’s top automotive industry body is a missed opportunity for the company and the industry as a whole. With its innovative and sustainable approach to mobility, Polestar has a lot to offer in driving the transition towards low-emissions vehicles. The company’s call for more support for the NVES and low-emissions vehicles is a step in the right direction, and it is time for the industry and the government to take notice and work towards a greener future. It is high time for Polestar to be welcomed back into the FCAI and for Australia to embrace the future of sustainable mobility.
