Polestar Overtakes Tesla and VW in Sweden With Surprise December EV Rally

Polestar delivered a late-year shock to Sweden’s EV market in December, with the Polestar 4 surging past both Tesla and Volkswagen to become one of the country’s most-registered electric cars. A sharp spike in registrations, driven by aggressive private leasing offers and fast delivery availability, pushed the rear-windowless EV into second place for the month, trailing only Volvo.

Polestar 4 jumps past Tesla and VW in December registrations

Even before December ended, Polestar already registered 709 units of the Polestar 4 in Sweden, more than the combined total from October and November, when registrations reached 606 vehicles. The surge vaulted the Polestar 4 ahead of the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.7 for the month, putting it on track to rank as Sweden’s second most registered electric vehicle in December, according to local registration data. Only the Volvo EX40 recorded higher EV registrations during the same period, according to CarUp.

The sudden rise marked one of the biggest surprises in Sweden’s EV market in 2025, especially given Polestar’s more modest performance earlier in the fall. The Polestar 4’s unconventional design, including its absence of a traditional rear window, also helped it stand out in a crowded segment dominated by more familiar silhouettes.

Aggressive leasing deal fuels demand spike

The primary driver behind the December surge appears to be an aggressive private leasing campaign. While the Polestar 4 typically carries a price approaching 800,000 Swedish kronor, select Long Range Single Motor versions were offered through dealers at significantly reduced monthly lease rates. In several cases, stock vehicles were available from 5,995 kronor per month, making the EV unusually competitive within its segment.

The offer typically covered a 36-month lease with up to 4,500 kilometers per year, well above the mileage limits often seen in private leasing deals. Despite the lower monthly cost, many of the vehicles included both the Plus and Pilot packages, adding features such as a head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, Pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beams, hands-free electric tailgate operation, heated rear seats and steering wheel, and three-zone climate control. Driver-assistance systems like Pilot Assist and Lane Change Assist were also bundled into several campaign vehicles.

Combined with up to 620 kilometers of WLTP-rated range and fast charging from 10 to 80 percent in just over 30 minutes, the value proposition proved compelling. The December results highlight how targeted pricing and availability can rapidly reshape EV demand, even in a mature, highly competitive market like Sweden.

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