At $49,900, it’s eligible for the current federal rebate and with an estimated range of about 430 kilometres, this version of the Polestar 2 is cheaper, goes slightly farther and has the same standard features as the high-performance dual-motor model

Swedish carmaker Polestar is bringing the Polestar 2 long range single motor to Canada with a $49,900 starting price tag, making it eligible for some provincial rebates and the federal purchase incentive.

The long range, single motor model can be ordered online or at one of Polestar’s three retail locations — referred to by the company as “Spaces” — in Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal, with deliveries beginning in Canada now.

“The addition of the Polestar 2 Long range Single motor expands our offerings to more buyers by delivering the longest range and lowest price in the Polestar 2 family,” said Hugues Bissonette, head of Polestar in Canada in a company press release. “In any specification, the Polestar 2 is a class-leading electric vehicle with industry leading technology and a high-style, premium cabin.”

Polestar 2 long range single motor (Polestar 2 LR SM) is eligible for provincial rebates in all jurisdictions that follow the guidelines of the current federal rebate program, which requires a base model starting price of $55,000 or less.

What the Polestar 2 LR SM offers

While the Polestar 2 LR SM is the lowest-priced model in the car maker’s line-up, it boasts features like 0-100 kph acceleration in seven seconds, a 231-horsepower motor and 907 kg (2,000 pounds) of towing capability.

By comparison, the same model’s long range, dual motor powertrain starts at $56,900, which gives drivers 0-100 kph acceleration in 4.5 seconds, a 408-horsepower motor and 400 km in range.

Polestar 2 LR SM comes with two additional pack options — a “pilot” and a “plus.”

The “pilot” offers enhanced driving and safety features including adaptive cruise control and pilot assist for $4,500, while the “plus” features a heat pump to extend range, a panoramic glass roof, a boosted speaker system and a vegan leather interior for $5,500.

All Polestar vehicles receive over-the-air updates.

Cradle-to-gate carbon footprint

Polestar’s corporate mandate is transparency about the sustainability efforts of the company as well as the footprint of its vehicles.

In 2020, Polestar released a report about the carbon footprint of the Polestar 2. The updated 2021 version demonstrates that over an estimated 200,000 km driving lifespan the carbon footprint for the Polestar 2 LR SM is 46-26 tonnes depending on the types of electricity used in the supply chain and to charge the vehicle.

More vehicle details and online ordering is available here. Polestar advises that Polestar 2 LR SM vehicles are being delivered on a timeline of a few days to a few weeks from ordering. The company also offers vehicle pick-up and delivery for test drives within 240 km of its existing retail spaces.