An all-electric vehicle dealership makes its North Carolina debut in Charlotte’s SouthPark

An all-electric vehicle dealership is making its North Carolina debut in Charlotte.

Polestar, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, opened in September at 4425 Sharon Road in the Apex Southpark mixed-use development.

But don’t expect a traditional car dealership with rows of vehicles displayed on a lot. The clean-lined, digitally-focused 2,400-square-foot interior showcases one row of three cars.

“It’s a place to learn about (Polestar), take a test drive then consummate a purchase,” said Gregor Hembrough, president of Polestar North America, of the Charlotte retail space. “It’s a different way to conduct an automotive transaction.”

The Charlotte location is part of Polestar’s Southeast expansion plan with four locations opening in Florida, one in Atlanta and one opening Nashville by the end of 2023.

Why did Polestar choose Charlotte?

Polestar, which is 48% owned by Volvo, released its first cars — Polestar 1 hybrid coupe and Polestar 2 all-electric fastback — in 2019. Polestar cars are available online in 27 markets in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Polestar’s North American headquarters is in Mahwah, N.J., and has over 110 employees throughout the U.S. and Canada.

With 31 Polestar retail spots in North America, Charlotte was chosen for several reasons, Hembrough said.

North Carolina moved to the 11th most popular state for drivers converting to EV or zero-emission vehicles in the U.S., Hembrough said.

Charlotte, he said, saw a 50% increase in EV registrations from last year compared to 2021.

“We have seen a significant shift in the automotive market over the last year, with many people choosing to drive electric,” Michael Spinks, principal of Polestar Charlotte, said in a statement.

North Carolina also is receiving $109 million over five years from the Federal Highway Administration for the development of electric vehicle charging stations as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The money will go toward installing electric charging stations every 50 miles on state highways and interstates.

The Charlotte region also is growing in EV charging station manufacturing.

In May, Italian manufacturer of high-power electric vehicle charging stations Alpitronic Americas LLC said it will open its U.S. headquarters in Charlotte. The company is investing $18.3 million and creating 300 jobs at the site off Westpark Drive.

The same month, Atom Power electric vehicle charging technology company said it will invest $4.2 million to expand its Huntersville operation, which will add 205 jobs.

And last December, Albemarle Corp. said it is expanding in Mecklenburg County, investing $200 million and creating at least 200 jobs in the University City area focused on lithium and battery tech. The Charlotte-based chemical company has facilities throughout the world, including a lithium processing site in Kings Mountain.

What cars are at Polestar Charlotte?

In Charlotte, customers can see and test drive:

▪ Polestar 2, an electric performance fastback, or hatchback.

The sedan has instant torque that goes from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.1 seconds. For context, Hembrough said, five years ago when Polestar 2 was released, “those are numbers that you’d see out of Ferrari and Lamborghini.”

Price: starts at $49,900, according to the company’s website.

▪ Polestar 3, an all-electric SUV.

The company’s first SUV was unveiled Sept. 21 in Charlotte. The vehicle offers a low-center of gravity for road stability.

“Not only does it look good, but one of the paramount components of electric vehicles is to have low drag” to improve range and reduce load, Hembrough said. The drag on the Polestar 3 is lower than a Porsche 911, he said.

Polestar 3 production will start in early 2024 in China with production moving to Charleston, S.C., by mid-year, Hembrough said.

Price: starts at $83,900, according to Polestar.

Polestar plans to have a line-up of five EVs available, including a convertible by 2026, Hembrough said.

Does Polestar have special features?

Polestar combines design, with technology, innovation and sustainability, Hembrough said.

Along with safety technology features like lane-keeping aid, “we’re the first company ever to offer Google embedded technology in our vehicles,” Hembrough said. Polestar car owners can use Google assistant for everything from temperature control in the vehicle to driving directions and home connections.

What about EV ‘range anxiety’?

For people with “range anxiety,” Polestar vehicles get about 320 miles on a single charge.

“They’re not getting much more range, if any, on internal combustion engine,” Hembrough said.

It takes about 30 minutes to fully recharge the battery, Hembrough said. “Most people charge once a week,” he said.

On longer trips, charging time can be spent using the Google embedded technology watching videos or typical rest area stops. He said his daughter drives seven hours from New Jersey to college in West Virginia.

“I simply wouldn’t do that if I didn’t have the confidence that she would be able to find charging along the way,” Hembrough said.

More EV stations are popping up across the country, including Charlotte.

“This is not an inconvenience,” Hembrough said of owning an EV.

How do I purchase a Polestar?

Polestar Charlotte customers can customize models and features. After making a purchase, the facility in New Jersey will ship the vehicle to the dealership in about 10 days for a customer to pick up.

“We just feel this is a better way to give the customers exactly what they’re looking for,” Hembrough said.

Polestar Charlotte is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

What about sustainability?

Polestar customers care about sustainability and environmental awareness, Hembrough said.

Polestar is working toward a carbon-neutral footprint by 2030 from production to distribution. Polestar posts how the company has reduced its carbon footprint each year on the company website.

The vehicle interiors also use sustainable materials, such as recycled plastics in the carpet floor mats and Bridge of Weir Leather, which follows animal ethical practices.

Who is Polestar’s competition?

Hembrough doesn’t consider electric-vehicle maker Tesla competition.

“We will not build our business by trying to steal customers from Tesla,” Hembrough said. “We want to actually put more EV vehicles on the road not take customers from other EV vehicles.”

The goal is to get customers to convert from internal combustion engines, such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

“As technology continues to advance, as the world continues to become more sustainably focused, and as the infrastructure continues to grow, I’m really struggling to find cases where internal combustion engines will be needed in the future,” Hembrough said.