2023 Polestar 2 Long Range Reviews

Polestar Australia and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) have slammed the Coalition’s proposed plan to scrap fines for carmakers that exceed emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) if it wins the federal election in May.

Few employee perks can trump a company car (pizza parties run a close second), but if you’ve ever thought about providing a set of wheels for your staff, you’ll have found that the Fringe Benefits Tax can give your ABN savings a serious uppercut.In an effort to keep the rest of the world from accelerating away from us towards an electric car future, however, the Australian Government introduced an electric vehicle FBT exemption in 2022.What this means is that if you decide to provide an eligible EV as part of a salary package, you can reap all the usual benefits that come with buying a car with your ABN.Normally, FBT (FBT meaning Fringe Benefits Tax) applies when an employer provides a non-cash benefit to an employee in place of, or in addition to, their salary.These perks are called encouragement rewards. No, sorry, they’re called fringe benefits, and usually materialise as things like gym memberships, free concert tickets and company cars.In the case of company cars, the tax is triggered only when the vehicle is used for personal purposes (going to Bunnings for a sausage sandwich isn’t work, unless you’re a tradie) rather than for work.How much is FBT on a car? Using the Statutory Method, FBT is charged to the employer by applying a 47 per cent tax to a grossed-up 20 per cent of the car’s value.Yes, that does sound typically ATO complex, but fortunately there’s a handy FBT Calculator that crunches the numbers for you. Usually there’s a fair bit of record keeping involved when it comes to FBT, but the electric car FBT exemption lightens the load considerably.The government wants more people driving cleaner, greener cars as it works towards its zero-carbon goals in 2500, no, sorry 2050, and an FBT exemption for electric vehicles is a clever sleight of hand to achieve that goal.In the short term, business owners save thousands of dollars while making their fleets cheaper to run (no fuel costs, if they can use solar to charge their EV fleets the savings are even bigger) and more environmentally friendly.As a bonus, because fleet vehicles are often sold after three to four years, the theory goes that the second-hand market will soon have a healthy supply of relatively new EVs – many still under warranty – at more affordable prices for everyday Aussies.Paying no FBT on electric cars is a great way to save money, but there are strings attached. First, it must be a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) and good luck with that, or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).No matter which one you go for, the car must be used by a current employee or an immediate family member. Keep in mind that the PHEV FBT exemption will end on 1 April 2025, while the BEV one will continue.Second, the car must have been first purchased and used on or after 1 July 2022. If you bought an EV before that date, the prize for early adoption is paying the standard rate of FBT.Finally, the car’s price must be under the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles (currently sitting at $91,387) to qualify for the exemption. Being the golden goose that it is, the LCT clause doesn’t just apply to the initial sale – it sticks with the car for life.So, even if you manage to find a used Porsche Taycan priced under the current LCT threshold, it won’t qualify for the FBT exemption, now or ever. Luxury Car Tax exemptions do not seem to be on the table for FBT purposes.To further sweeten the deal, cars that qualify for the FBT exemption also get FBT-free running costs, including registration, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and even the electricity used for charging.However, installation costs for a home charging station aren’t exempt and would still attract FBT if covered by the employer.It’s worth noting that although your EV and charging costs are exempt from FBT, the benefit is still reportable. Calculating it is a matter of multiplying the total kilometres driven by the percentage of charging done at home, then applying the EV home charging rate of 4.20 cents per kilometre.If commercial charging is used, you should include those costs only if you can accurately determine the split between home and external charging.If you can separate the car from the artist, it’s still one of the best EVs out there – especially after a recent refresh that brought interior upgrades, a sleeker front-end design, and a quieter ride. Prices start at $54,900, before on-road costs, for the 2025 Model 3 RWD and rise to $80,900 for the full-fat Performance AWD (still well under FBT).Manufacturer: TeslaKey Specs: Up to 629km claimed WLTP range, RWD or AWDWarranty: four years/80,000 km (vehicle), eight years/160,000km (battery and drive unit)Why Consider It? Class-leading efficiency, Supercharger network, and an ultra-minimalist interior (which you’ll either love or tolerate).More Info: Tesla AustraliaHyundai’s retro-futuristic SUV is outrageously cool looking, with a thoughtful interior that’s put together with a real sense of purpose and quality. All but the $110,000 range-topping “N” variant meet the EV FBT threshold.Manufacturer: HyundaiKey Specs: Up to 570km claimed WLTP range, RWD or AWD, 800V fast-chargingWarranty: five years/unlimited kilometres (vehicle), eight years/160,000km (battery)Why Consider It? Retro-futuristic looks, roomy interior, and ultra-fast charging.Learn more: Hyundai AustraliaThe Polestar 2 carries that same left-of-centre intellectual appeal that Saab once enjoyed, with a Scandinavian design that pairs exceedingly well with turtlenecks and loafers.Manufacturer: PolestarKey Specs: Up to 655km WLTP range (long-range variant), RWD or AWDWarranty: five years/unlimited kilometres (vehicle), eight years/160,000km (battery)Why Consider It? Scandinavian design, premium materials, and concierge servicing.More Info: Polestar AustraliaThe BYD Atto 3 is an affordable EV that proves China is taking this whole electric car thing very seriously. The range kicks off at just $39,990, before on-roads, and is backed by a reassuring six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty.Manufacturer: BYDKey Specs: Up to 420km claimed WLTP range, FWD, 'Blade' battery technologyWarranty: Six years/150,000km (vehicle), eight years/160,000km (battery)Why Consider It? Competitive pricing, decent range, and a cool interior.More Info: BYD AustraliaThe best place to learn more about the exemption and any upcoming changes is the ATO website. There you’ll find answers to questions surrounding what cars are exempt from FBT, how does FBT work, and how much is FBT on a car.

The debate around Australia's tough new emissions laws heats up, as manufacturers pick sides on the issue.

Yet another Chinese brand in Australia? Sort of.Zeekr Australia’s General Manager, William Zhou, told CarsGuide that thanks to the change in ownership and Lynk & Co falling under Zeekr’s direction, a launch is very much on the cards for Australia.“Exactly” Zhou said when asked about Lynk & Co now being possible for our market.“It’s something we’re working on right now," he said.“For us here, in a right hand drive market, Lynk & Co previously didn’t have right-hand drive products, so we’re working on that.“Also, because in Australia we know that EVs stand for technology and innovation, but when it comes to daily use plug-in hybrids should be another major choice. So we’re confident the current product from Lynk & Co with petrol and hybrid technology will do really well in Australia, so we’re pushing to have Lynk & Co products, but under one brand, Zeekr.”Zhou explained it would be a full-control type scenario in Australia, with Lynk & Co models being distributed by Zeekr from the same dealer network the premium Chinese marque is currently building out in Australia.Lynk & Co and Zeekr were completely separate entities prior to November 2024, when both brand’s ultimate parent company, Geely, re-organised its shareholdings to place Lynk & Co under the control of Zeekr, divesting Volvo’s share from the business.Zhou wants Lynk & Co hybrids to hit our shores in the near future.“I think we’re trying for next year, but nothing is confirmed yet. There’s a lot of engineering involved.” said Zhou.Zhou said Australia is a priority and could potentially be the first RHD market for Lynk & Co.“We’ll try”, Zhou explained of Australia being a launch-market for right-hand drive. “I think the European market is hard . There are some tariff issues. Maybe the UK. But Australia is an iconic market for right-hand drive, so we’re working on that.”Zhou wasn’t ready to talk exactly what product was high on the right-hand drive priority list, but he said the company was very conscious of not overlapping with Zeekr models in order to make sure both nameplates had a chance to shine.“We should position smartly. With the future coming models from Lynk & Co we should work on how to make it cover the range without cannibalising each other.”Zeekr’s current and future line-up consists of the X small SUV, 009 people mover, and 7X mid-sizer, which leaves room for several products from Lynk & Co.A good place to start would be one of its more recent models, the 08 SUV that would bring a coupe-sized plug-in hybrid alternative to sit underneath the slightly larger, more conventional 7X SUV from Zeekr.The 08 rides on Volvo’s compact modular architecture (CMA) and is available as a plug-in hybrid (EM-P in Lynk & Co language), which pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a dedicated hybrid transmission and massive 39.6kWh battery pack good for a driving range of up to 245km according to the lenient CLTC testing cycle. If it maintains a similar specification, it would be the longest range plug-in hybrid in Australia.Other options include the 07 sedan with a similar PHEV drivetrain, 05 small coupe SUV (essentially a PHEV take on the Volvo C40 electric SUV). Less likely seems to be the XC40-based 01 SUV and 03 sedan, and the now-dated 09 SUV.The 900 six-seat flagship SUV, which sit on the latest SPA Evo architecture complete with next-generation styling, could be a possibility.The 900 features the brand’s next-gen plug-in hybrid tech consisting of either a 530kW model using a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 43.3kWh battery pack providing up to 185km of EV driving range on the CLTC standard, or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder model providing up to 630kW that has an even larger 50kWh battery pack providing a driving range of up to 220km (CLTC).Zeekr has only just started deliveries in Australia, with a mere 100 units on the road, but Zhou said the brand is happy with the level of demand it is seeing for its existing range of premium electric models, which serve as an alternative to the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.The brand also needs to fight off other newcomers such as Xpeng, Chery’s Jaecoo sub-brand, and BYD’s Denza marque, which all have similar ambitious plans for Australia in 2025 and beyond.

The Polestar 3 has entered a market where pillowy designs reign supreme for electric SUVs. However, the newly launched Polestar 3 is sharply styled and offers enough green highlights to enthrall enthusiasts but will its 'unfinished' tech get in the way of its success?

Price used to be the biggest hurdle to electric car adoption, but not anymore.Research conducted by the Electric Vehicle Council in 2022 suggested half of new car buyers were considering switching to electric, but the number one concern was the upfront cost.One of the best value offerings at the time was the Tesla Model 3, which started from a whopping $64,300. Consumers were expected to pay $15,000 to $20,000 more for an EV compared to an equivalent petrol model.A lot has changed.The electric car market has expanded significantly and costs, both from existing players and those new-to-market, have come down significantly.The upgraded Tesla Model 3, which now features more driving range and features, starts from $54,900, and you can hop into a fully electric car from as low as $29,990 (for the BYD Dolphin Essential).Not only have costs come down, but the amount of choice has exploded. The just-launched Leapmotor C10 is a mid-size family SUV, which starts from $45,888 before on-roads (or just $47,500 as part of an initial drive-away offer). It’s a price-tag equivalent to a mid-spec Toyota RAV4 — Australia’s most in-demand hybrid SUV — and soon it will have to compete with not only the Xpeng G6 but the Geely EX5.We may have expected electric car price parity to arrive with some fanfare, but it has almost arrived with barely a whimper.Top-selling models, including the Tesla Model Y, still seem to be a price-step above combustion options. There’s a vibrant price-war amongst the increasing number of Chinese automakers available and in an increasing number of segments, but it seems like electric cars have lost their lustre a bit amongst new car buyers.As a result, the latest data from the industry has those considering purchasing an EV dropping significantly.It’s not all over for electric cars as some doom and gloom headlines proclaim, often citing softening (but still growing) sales in Australia. There are also much more dire figures out of Europe causing some of the biggest manufacturers to issue embarrassing about-faces on once-bold all-electric commitments, as customers reject new products in droves.So why is this happening? Do Australian new car buyers even want an EV anymore, and are we set to follow in the footsteps of other places that have seen an EV sales slow-down?The issue has several factors, all of them economic rather than ideological, despite what the comments section would have you believe.Consumer confidence in the new car market has declined significantly with high interest rates. The January 2025 sales data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) showed a continued decline in EV sales following a soft second half of 2024, but also a rapid increase in registrations at the lowest end of the market. Significant winners so far this year include the Kia Picanto, Chery Tiggo 4, MG3, and outgoing Mitsubishi ASX, all budget petrol-powered offerings, and a far cry from the usual mid- or high-spec SUVs which have dominated sales charts for some time.Another significant factor is the removal of EV incentives from most states.The amount of competition in the Australian market has had a knock-on effect of slaughtering the resale value of existing EVs. Imagine having bought a pre-upgrade Model 3 in 2022, only to have its value halve in three years because the new one is not only better, but it’s nearly $10,000 more affordable, too.Then there’s the consideration of why buy a two- or three-year-old, relatively high kilometre Tesla, when you could have a brand-new BYD Seal with a box-fresh warranty from $46,990. Buyers have begun to question whether now is the right time for a purely electric vehicle, when they could simply wait for prices to stabilise, buying or holding on to a combustion car in the meantime.Fuel prices are hovering around $2 a litre and Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) will begin to have a significant impact on the model mix available. Hybrids appear to be the biggest beneficiaries. Sales are up a whopping 76 per cent year-on-year, driven by the return of the supply of popular Toyota models after a long period of parts shortages, and an explosion of new options available from Hyundai, Kia, GWM, Honda, and Nissan.This slowdown in EV consideration is a natural part of the process and what has to happen to bring the technology to the mainstream as automakers scramble to have the best, most affordable vehicles available.It’s the most keen early-adopters of electric vehicles who will feel the brunt of this. Their vehicles have been hit by the biggest declines in value, and they’ve had to put up with an immature charging network and even some additional expenses, like higher insurance costs.Still, the Australian market continues to evolve. While consumers seem to have turned more to hybrids, EV sales still grew in Australia, up 4.7 per cent over the course of 2024. They accounted for 91,292 units or 7.4 per cent the market and more options particularly at the same price of popular hybrids should continue to convert buyers.Australia has plenty of growth in the EV sector to go. Australia has the highest uptake of household solar in the world, which would, in turn, mean that Australian households with the ability to charge in their garage will have some of the lowest per-km cost to recharge their electric vehicles.The biggest factor in the long-run though will be the NVES. Finally catapulting Australia into the world of 21st century emissions policy, this policy will really start to bite in the second half of the decade. Almost every mainstream automaker who has spoken to CarsGuide on the topic has earmarked serious changes to their line-up, with a high percentage of pure electric vehicles necessary for them to avoid hefty fines from the government.It’s also worth noting that at 7.4 per cent adoption, while Australia has been a little slow on the uptake, it’s hardly hit the saturation point which many European jurisdictions and some Chinese cities have reached, which is a big source of their respective market slow-downs.What’s the take-away? While price-parity EVs have quietly arrived in Australia with minimal fanfare, the path for growth here seems more sustainable than the great swings and misses we’ve seen overseas.Periods of explosive growth and unsustainable subsidies are behind us, and a slowly-but-surely set of policies in place here seems to be adding incrementally to Australia’s electric fleets rather than moving from huge sales to gutting losses for automakers, and in the long term, this should add confidence for EV buyers rather than doubt.

Despite a less-than-ideal 30 per cent sales decline last year, Sino-Swedish electric car brand Polestar isn't burying its head in the sand, according to Scott Maynard, Managing Director of the brand’s local operations.Even as sister brands under the Geely umbrella, such as Zeekr, Volvo and Lotus, backflip on electric-only plans for more plug-in hybrids in response to softening EV demand, Polestar is staying true to its electric-only pledge.In fact, Maynard believes there are much bigger and better things to come in 2025 and beyond as Polestar grows its retail footprint and expands its offerings in Australia’s electric SUV market.“It wasn’t unexpected , in truth. With the incoming product of Polestar 3 and 4, we knew that there were a lot of customers holding off on a Polestar purchase,” he said.The brand has been carried by the Polestar 2 for three years since arriving in Australia, a mid-size electric sedan rivalling everything from the BMW i4 to the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal.Then, at the back end of last year, Polestar added an additional member, the Polestar 4, a coupe-like SUV closer in style to the Tesla Model Y – Australia’s top-selling EV.It clocked some 120 sales in December last year, far exceeding anything else in the brand’s catalogue, a feat which has Maynard anticipating strong returns in 2025.“We see huge potential, particularly in Polestar 4,” he said.Maynard stopped short of giving sales numbers projections for the brand in 2025 (last year Polestar sold 1713 cars), suggesting it was anyone’s guess with high interest rates and a challenging economic outlook.“I’m not putting a number on it yet because I’m really keen to see how the first half of the year plays out,” said Maynard.“Of course, we have to have internal planning numbers for budgets and that sort of thing, but I actually think the potential of those cars sits higher than we’re currently shooting.”It's an underlying confidence that is certainly matched by the head office in Gothenburg, Sweden, which recently announced a five-step plan to get back to profitability in 2025.Part of that plan involves growing the brand's global retail footprint by 75 per cent by 2026, increasing sales of carbon credits, expanding to new markets such as France and launching Polestar Energy – Polestar's charging network app.They're moves that couldn't be made without the support of the brand's Chinese parent company, Geely Group, which also owns Zeekr, Smart, Volvo and Lotus, though all are operated independently in Australia.Despite so many brands in Australia under Geely's ownership, Maynard is steadfast that Polestar is a unique brand competing in its own lane."We partner with Geely for investment, but we differentiate ourselves as a European brand with our heart and soul in Sweden."The brand is clearly drawing all of its design and inspiration from the design team based out of Sweden, and so we've got a pretty easy job to differentiate ourselves as a true, proper, luxury European brand."Another major part of Polestar's plan is introducing the Polestar 7, a compact electric SUV with a lower price point.“Polestar 7 is going to appeal to an Australian buyer, perhaps even more so than it does to Europe and some other markets,” said Maynard.“It is very much a key car for us and will provide us with a really lovely entry point to the brand, so to have an SUV style entry point to the Polestar brand that is 100 per cent Polestar, I think will be a really important addition to the model range.”Given the Polestar 5 GT — the brand’s first EV on its bespoke architecture — and the Polestar 6 roadster are expected to precede it, the Polestar 7 may not be in showrooms until closer to 2027.It's a long time to wait for a brand which hasn’t seen the quick sales success of upstart Chinese and American rivals, but one thing is for certain, Polestar is here for the long haul.

Australia’s new car market rose very slightly in volume in 2024 compared to 2023 - but it wasn’t good news across the board.

Polestar is keeping the ball rolling in 2025.The Chinese-owned electric carmaker has confirmed the Polestar 5 four-seat Grand Tourer will enter production this year and confirmed plans for the Polestar 7 compact electric SUV.This is off the back of the Polestar 3 and 4 SUVs launched this year.The Polestar 5 is expected to be expensive and small volume but the 7 could be the vehicle that catapults the brand up the global sales charts.The Polestar 7 is expected to replace the brand’s first electric car — the Polestar 2 sedan — in its line-up.Polestar is owned by the giant Geely group, which owns brands such as Volvo, Smart, Zeekr and its namesake Geely.The brands share vehicle platforms, software and hardware and it is likely the Polestar 7 will compete with the recently launched Zeekr X compact SUV and give it a direct rival to the Tesla Model Y.It won’t be as small as the Volvo EX30, with the brand previously telling CarsGuide that it won’t be a small hatchback or SUV and the company wouldn’t have a vehicle smaller than the current 2. That means it could be a rival to the popular Tesla model Y, Kia EV5 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.Polestar said it is planning to build the 7 in Europe, which will help it skirt around any potential tariffs levelled against Chinese-made cars. This means it is likely to be more expensive if it arrives in Australia due to higher manufacturing and shipping costs compared to China.Polestar hasn’t revealed any details of the 7 yet, but it is likely to share much of the hardware with other Geely products.This means it is in line for a similar package to the Zeekr X, which has a 64kWh battery paired with a 200kW rear motor and is capable of up to 440km of driving range. A dual-motor version ups the grunt with the addition of a front mounted electric motor delivering a combined 315kW and 543Nm and drops driving range to 400km.Polestar is also predicting this year will be its best, with the brand’s balance sheet heading into the black.Polestar already has a strong foothold in Australia but will focus on France before heading to Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Many so-called “all-new” models aren’t all that new. In fact, a sizeable chunk are reskinned versions of what came before, with fresh sheetmetal over the same general hard points.