Why Traveling Musicians and Bands Should Not Use Electric Vehicles: A Case Study of the Polestar 2

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular and affordable, but they are not the best choice for traveling musicians and bands. In this blog post, I will explain why EVs, especially the Polestar 2, are not suitable for touring and performing across the country.

The Polestar 2: A Brief Overview

The Polestar 2 is a 100% electric car that claims to offer performance, design, and sustainability. It is produced by Polestar, a subsidiary of Volvo that focuses on premium EVs. The Polestar 2 has a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive powertrain, a high-capacity battery, and an Android-based infotainment system. It also has a distinctive minimalist design and a spacious hatchback trunk.

The Polestar 2 sounds like an attractive option for eco-conscious drivers who want a luxury EV, but it has some drawbacks that make it unsuitable for traveling musicians and bands. Let’s look at some of them in detail.

The Drawbacks of the Polestar 2 for Touring

Range and Charging

One of the main challenges of using an EV for touring is the range and charging. The Polestar 2 has a claimed range of 320 miles for the rear-wheel drive model and 276 miles for the all-wheel drive model¹. However, these figures are based on EPA estimates, which may not reflect real-world driving conditions. Factors such as speed, terrain, weather, load, and driving style can affect the actual range of an EV.

Moreover, charging an EV can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially in areas where charging stations are scarce or unreliable. The Polestar 2 supports DC fast charging up to 205 kW, which can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes¹. However, not all charging stations offer this level of power, and some may charge fees or require memberships. Finding a compatible and available charging station can be a hassle, especially when traveling in unfamiliar places.

Cost and Value

Another drawback of using an EV for touring is the cost and value. The Polestar 2 is not a cheap car. It starts at $51,300 for the rear-wheel drive model and $54,300 for the all-wheel drive model¹. The Performance Pack, which adds features such as Brembo brakes, Öhlins dampers, and forged wheels, costs an extra $5,000². These prices do not include taxes, fees, or incentives that may vary by state.

While the Polestar 2 may offer some savings on fuel and maintenance costs compared to a gas-powered car, it may not be enough to justify its high initial price. Furthermore, EVs tend to depreciate faster than conventional cars due to factors such as battery degradation, technology obsolescence, and consumer preferences³. This means that the resale value of an EV may be lower than expected.

Space and Comfort

A third drawback of using an EV for touring is the space and comfort. The Polestar 2 has a decent amount of cargo space for a hatchback, with 14.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 38.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down¹. However, this may not be enough to accommodate all the equipment and luggage that traveling musicians and bands need. For comparison, a typical minivan has about 40 cubic feet behind the third row and over 140 cubic feet with all seats folded down⁴.

The Polestar 2 also has some issues with comfort and ergonomics. Some reviewers have complained about the lack of adjustability for the seats and steering wheel², the firmness of the ride quality², and the difficulty of accessing the adjustable suspension settings². These factors can make long-distance driving less enjoyable and more tiring.

Conclusion

The Polestar 2 is an impressive EV that offers many benefits for drivers who value performance, design, and sustainability. However, it is not the best choice for traveling musicians and bands who need to cover long distances with lots of equipment and luggage. The Polestar 2 has limitations in terms of range and charging, cost and value, and space and comfort that make it unsuitable for touring and performing across the country.

If you are looking for a car that can handle your musical needs better than an EV like the Polestar 2, you may want to consider renting or buying a gas-powered vehicle that offers more range, affordability, and versatility. You can find some great deals on cars from Hertz Rent-A-Car, which also offers electric and hybrid vehicles if you still want to reduce your environmental Impact.

I hope this blog post was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!

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¹: [Polestar 2 – Our 100% electric car | Polestar US](https://www.polestar.com/us/polestar-2/)

²: [2024 Polestar 2 Review, Pricing, and Specs – Car and Driver](https://www.caranddriver.com/polestar/polestar-2)

³: [How Fast Do Electric Vehicles Depreciate? | CarGurus](https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/articles/how_fast_do_electric_vehicles_depreciate)

⁴: [2021 Minivans: Compare Cargo Space, Fuel Economy, and More | Edmunds](https://www.edmunds.com/minivan/)

: [Rent a Polestar 2 | Hertz Electric Vehicles – Hertz Rent-A-Car](https://www.hertz.com/blog/electric-vehicles/polestar/polestar-2/)

Source: Conversation with Bing, 7/4/2023

(1) Polestar 2 – Our 100% electric car | Polestar US. https://www.polestar.com/us/polestar-2/.

(2) 2024 Polestar 2 Review, Pricing, and Specs – Car and Driver. https://www.caranddriver.com/polestar/polestar-2.

(3) Rent a Polestar 2 | Hertz Electric Vehicles – Hertz Rent-A-Car. https://www.hertz.com/blog/electric-vehicles/polestar/polestar-2/.

(4) 2023 Polestar 2 Prices, Reviews, and Pictures

| Edmunds. https://www.edmunds.com/polestar/2/.