Polestar’s head of sustainability brands vegan cars ‘greenwashing’

Polestar’s head of sustainability has controversially branded vegan cars as ‘greenwashing’.

Fredrika Klarén, who has worked for the car manufacturer since 2020, made the comment in a recent interview with CarsGuide.

‘A lie to customers’

“We have animal products all over the place,” she said. “We have grease, animal content in synthetics [and] in plastics.

“Saying that a car is vegan is a lie to customers. Yes, you can have a vegan upholstery alternative… We want to ensure that, as a vegan, you have an alternative to move away from leather if you buy a Polestar 2.

“[However], we will never make a claim that we have provided you with a completely vegan car.”

Vegan cars

In 2020, Volvo garnered huge praise for its Polestar 2 – which boasted an ‘animal-free interior’.

The car’s vegan upholstery is made from WeaveTech, which was inspired by the “sporty look and feel” of wetsuits. It also features a leather-free steering wheel with a clean matte finish.

But as Klarén points out, even cars with leather-free interiors may not be vegan, as other components of the vehicle can be made of animal-derived materials.

Animal-rights charity PETA recommends consumers to ‘contact each manufacturer directly to confirm that all components are entirely animal-free’.

Vegans can also purchase a car second-hand, to not directly contribute towards the demand and supply of animal-derived materials.