Polestar doubles down on PHEV criticism despite booming sales

Polestar has reaffirmed its opposition to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), arguing the technology remains unnecessarily complicated and fails to deliver on its real-world efficiency promises.

Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard has stood by his earlier criticism of plug-in hybrids, questioning whether the technology delivers on its advertised efficiency benefits.

"I think there's a lot of theory in there and not enough practice," he told carsales at the Australian launch of the Polestar 5.

In February, Maynard described PHEVs as the "worst of both worlds", arguing that combining a petrol engine and electric drivetrain introduced unnecessary weight and complexity.

At the time, plug-in hybrids accounted for 6.2 per cent of Australian new-car sales, with 5854 deliveries that month.

By September, monthly sales had climbed 72 per cent to 10,072 vehicles, up 122.7 per cent compared with September last year.

Asked whether their growing popularity had changed his position, Maynard was unequivocal.

"I stand by it," he said.

Maynard argued the additional complexity of combining two powertrains remained difficult to justify.

"The cars are unnecessarily complicated, heavy, and neither of those drivetrains is able to propel that vehicle the way it's intended to be driven," he said.

He also claimed some PHEV owners eventually transitioned to fully electric vehicles after realising they wanted greater electric driving range.

"I reckon we could save them some time," he said.

Ironically, Polestar itself began life with a plug-in hybrid – the Polestar 1 – which offered up to 124km of electric-only range

Produced between 2019 and 2021, it was the brand's first and last PHEV before transitioning to an exclusively electric line-up.

Maynard's comments also contrast with the direction of Polestar's sister brands within the wider Geely Group.

Geely has introduced the Starray EM-i in Australia, recently adding an all-wheel-drive variant, while Zeekr is preparing to launch its 8X and 9X plug-in hybrid SUVs locally. Volvo already offers PHEV versions of the XC60 and XC90.

Despite the group's growing investment in the technology, Maynard insisted Polestar maintained its independence.

"Whilst we enjoy the partnership that comes from being part of that larger group, we actually act with total independence," he said.

"And so, we still trade in market as pure competitors and don't share too much."

While PHEVs continue to gain popularity in Australia, Polestar has no plans to introduce petrol-electric powertrains, even if that is how the brand started life.

Maynard said the company's EV-only strategy remained unchanged following the appointment of global CEO Michael Lohscheller in 2024, despite speculation the brand could adopt a broader powertrain strategy.

"It was so pleasing to see that sustainability remained right at the top of the agenda. Hybrids were ruled out," he said.

"We remained an EV-dedicated brand and that little changed."

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