Earlier this year, Polestar showed off Re:Move, an electric cargo mover concept for last-mile delivery that they developed together with aluminum producer Hydro and electric motorbike pioneer CAKE and designer Konstantin Grcic. The Volvo-owned Swedish automotive brand has now revealed the first fully-functioning prototype with a few new details at IAA 2021 in Munich.
The Re:Move is a small multi-functional electric transporter, which Polestar believes will be perfect for last miles delivery services. Capable of carrying loads of up to 180 kg, the electric cargo ‘sled’ is only 750 mm wide – perfectly suited to bicycle lanes. It has a limited maximum speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph), which makes it is equally fit for replacing delivery vans to radically improve city traffic flow or bringing cargo transportation to rural areas lacking developed infrastructure.
Polestar did not reveal the autonomy of the Re:Move, but confirmed that the electrical system is powered by a battery with a 2.2 kWh capacity.
The low-carbon aluminum chassis is fitted with an electric tilt mechanism, allowing the vehicle to ‘lean-in’ to turns, improving stability and maneuverability, and reducing its turning circle to less than seven meters. The frame uses unique composite covers, a natural replacement for plastics and flax-based composites.
A damped rear swingarm is designed for driver comfort and to reduce fatigue, while the disc brakes offer further dynamic confidence. Always-on lighting improves forward visibility for the driver, while brake lights, optional indicators, and a horn help to ensure the vehicle is visible to pedestrians and traffic.
“The passion and expertise our partners have brought to this project show the power of great design,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “Electrifying vehicles is the start point, not the end game. Our engineers have proven that this kind of open collaboration will accelerate innovation and the shift to truly sustainable mobility.“
While there are no words on pricing and availability of the vehicle and whether the Re:Move will actually be mass-produced, designers are positioning Re:Move as a cleaner alternative to delivery vehicles in the city and in rural areas.
