Updates to the Kiwi-favoured model include the long-awaited shade for its sunroof.

MID-cycle updates that impact on the overall design and improve the car's eco credentials have been announced for the Polestar 2.

 Exactly when the ‘sustainability update’ changes deliver on New Zealand market editions of the Volvo-designed, China-sourced and Geely-built car remains uncertain.

 The refresh has seen the company revisiting some of the materials that go into making the model with the aim of making the car and its production processes both more environmentally and ethically sound.

 Among the new measures includes greater traceability of the mica and cobalt used in the Polestar's batteries and the decision from now on to only use ‘low carbon’ aluminium from smelters that exclusively use renewable energy.

 The company says it will from now on use both a low carbon aluminium battery tray as well as low carbon aluminium wheels resulting in a saving of 1350kg of CO2 per car during production.

 “In our programme updates we want to take action on improvements that can make a positive sustainability impact quickly, rather than traditional mid-cycle facelifts.

 “Product optimisation programmes are common in the car industry, but we are taking an extended approach at Polestar, combining these with CO2 reduction programmes as well," said Polestar's head of sustainability, Frederika Klaren.

A new leather supplier too, the Scottish firm, Bridge of Weir, provides ethically-sourced 'vegan' leather for Polestar's interiors.

 Beyond the materials, there are several design tweaks. Magnesium (a kind of silver) is now the standard default colour with two new shades, Jupiter and Space (silvery grey and black, respectively) in the colour range. New designs for the standard 19-inch and optional 20-inch wheels avail as well, with the interior also getting a small selection of new upholstery and trim options.

 Also available will be a removable sunshade for the panoramic glass roof, while the heat pump has been made more efficient thanks to an optimisation of its temperature settings.

 The battery in the standard-range single-motor Polestar 2 now features, thanks to revised cell chemistry, a 69kWh capacity with a range of up to 474km and power of 172kW on tap.

 Longer-range versions with 78kWh batteries have respective ranges of 542km and 482km depending on whether the long-range single-motor or the less efficient long-range dual-motor versions are chosen.

 While the company only has one model on sale at present, there'll be others coming down the line with the Polestar 3 sports utility due to launch later this year and more models to follow thereafter.