Polestar is rapidly growing its global engineering capability with the expansion of its world-class R&D hub in the UK, the latest element in the brand’s development. Despite the challenging industry landscape, in the past year the now 250-strong UK team has more than doubled in size and is expected to grow further to employ over eventually exceed 500 people.

Polestar will have new facilities at the MIRA Technology Park – a world-class automotive testing and development site in the heart of Motorsport Valley in the Midlands. Ideally placed to take advantage of the world-renowned automotive engineering talent pool located in and around the area, the UK R&D team has a range of expertise rarely seen within traditional OEMs.

Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, said: “Going electric is a pivotal moment in the history of cars. The combination of British engineering talent and Swedish expertise will ensure our cars are among the highest performing and most sustainable on the road.”

Working alongside the R&D team in Sweden allows the UK team to focus on ground-breaking engineering solutions in a bid to help Polestar reach its goals. The UK team is expected to play a crucial role in the brand’s continued evolution, immediately focusing on the development of the Polestar Precept, first revealed in 2020, and confirmed for production before 2025.

Pete Allen, head of Polestar UK R&D, said: “Precept is a statement of intent for the brand in terms of design, technology and sustainability. The production car will take an important step on the journey towards climate neutrality, and ours will be the team that delivers that.”

With access to a variety of specialised on-site equipment, including advanced battery testing, an extensive test track network and a selection of other independent operations based at the facility, the MIRA Technology Park was an obvious choice for the progressive Swedish brand.

The expansion of Polestar’s R&D capabilities follows on from the continued growth of its model line-up, plans to increase its global sales footprint by the end of 2022, and the move to manufacture Polestar 3 in the USA as well as China.