Polestar 2 Running Costs UK 2026
Long Range Single Motor
Last updated: July 2026
Cost per mile
7.5p
home 26.1p/kWh
Annual (10k mi)
£1048
80% home
Real-world range
310 mi
WLTP: 394 mi
Peak DC charge
205kW
CCS
Polestar designed the 2 explicitly to target BMW 3 Series buyers. The company — a joint venture between Volvo Cars and Geely — positioned it as a premium Scandinavian alternative with Google-built software, a sustainable interior, and 310 miles of real-world range. It's one of the longer-range EVs in its price bracket.
Running costs: Polestar 2
3.5 miles per kWh gives a 7.5p per mile home charging cost on the current tariff. Against the BMW 3 Series 320i at 40 MPG (17.4p per mile at July 2026 prices), the Polestar 2 saves approximately 10.0p per mile — or £1,000 per year at 10,000 miles. The 78kWh battery and 310-mile real-world range mean most drivers will rarely encounter range anxiety, reducing the likelihood of expensive public charging top-ups that would erode the annual saving.
| Annual mileage | 100% home (26.1p) | 80% home / 20% public | 50/50 split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 miles | £597 | £838 | £1201 |
| 10,000 miles | £746 | £1048 | £1501 |
| 12,000 miles | £895 | £1258 | £1802 |
| 15,000 miles | £1119 | £1572 | £2252 |
| 20,000 miles | £1491 | £2096 | £3003 |
Public charging rate: 79p/kWh. Costs calculated on real-world efficiency of 3.5 mi/kWh.
Charging
205kW peak DC charging is competitive for this class. A 10–80% charge takes around 28 minutes on a compatible charger. AC home charging at up to 11kW. Polestar owners access the same wide network of CCS public chargers as other EVs.
Battery capacity
78 kWh
Peak DC charge
205kW
Charge port
CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC)
Efficiency
3.5 mi/kWh
Key fact
At 394 miles WLTP, the Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor has one of the longest official ranges of any non-Tesla EV currently on sale in the UK.
Who is the 2 best suited for?
Best for
- ✓Drivers trading out of BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Volvo S60
- ✓Sustainability-conscious buyers (high recycled content interior)
- ✓Long-distance drivers wanting genuine range security
- ✓Google Maps integration priority
Less ideal for
- !Those who want the most efficient EV in its class (Model 3 is still more efficient)
- !Buyers wanting AWD without moving to the more expensive dual-motor version
- !Anyone not willing to pay a premium for Scandinavian brand positioning
Compare against your current car
Enter your mileage, charging habits, and fuel cost to see exactly what switching to the 2 would save you.
Calculate your savingMaximize Your EV Savings
Motoring experts recommend checking these three high-value offers to lock in the lowest cost of ownership.
Intelligent Octopus EV Tariff
Charge your Polestar 2 at the UK's lowest overnight rate of 7p/kWh.
- Save up to £800/yr vs standard rates
- Automatic smart home charging
- 100% green energy certification
Smart Home Charger Installation
Standard professional installation quote from £899 (Ohme, Pod Point, Hypervolt).
- Fast 7kW charging (3x vs wall socket)
- Lock, schedule & monitor via smartphone
- OZEV homeowner grant checker
EV Salary Sacrifice Lease
Lease a Polestar 2 directly from pre-tax gross salary and save up to 45%.
- Zero upfront deposit required
- Includes insurance, road tax & servicing
- Locked 2% BiK company car rate
2 head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Polestar 2 cost per mile in the UK?
At a standard home tariff of 26.1p/kWh (the Ofgem price cap rate for July–September 2026), the Polestar 2 costs approximately 7.5p per mile. On an overnight EV tariff at 7p/kWh, this drops to 2.0p per mile.
What is the real-world range of the Polestar 2?
The Polestar 2 has a real-world range of approximately 310 miles in typical UK mixed driving conditions. The official WLTP figure is 394 miles, which is measured under standardised test conditions and is typically higher than real-world performance.
How fast does the Polestar 2 charge?
The Polestar 2 supports up to 205kW DC fast charging via CCS (DC) / Type 2 (AC). AC home charging is also supported. The charge time from 10–80% varies depending on the available charger speed.
How much does it cost to run a Polestar 2 per year in the UK?
At 10,000 miles per year and 80% home charging (26.1p/kWh) with 20% public charging (79p/kWh), the Polestar 2 costs approximately £1048 per year in electricity.