Despite creating cars with vegan interiors, Polestar’s head of sustainability has dubbed the idea of a vegan car as ’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.
