Gothenburg – leading the charge in electric mobility

Sweden is taking the lead in Europe’s transition to electric, connected, and sustainable mobility. It’s an ideal place for any person or company who wants to play a key role in this transition. And next year we will host EVS, says Per Österström, senior manager at Business Region Gothenburg.

The Electric Vehicle Symposium and exhibition, EVS, is returning to Europe next year. Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city, situated on the west coast, will host EVS38 from June 15th to 18th 2025.

“Gothenburg is the city where Volvo was born, nearly 100 years ago. So, we’ve long been an automotive city. Today, we are one of Europe’s top mobility clusters and a world-class innovation hub. We are particularly strong when it comes to electromobility, connectivity and safety,” says Per.

Today, Volvo Cars and the Volvo Group, Sweden’s two largest companies by turnover, remain a driving force for Gothenburg’s mobility sector. Together they employ nearly 30,000 people in the region.

But the sector has grown and become more diversified. Progressive car brands Polestar, Zeekr and Lynk & Co, smart transport innovator Einride, and electric plane maker Heart Aerospace all operate key sites here.

Gothenburg is also home to many large and specialized tech, design and service companies, including Ericsson, Telia, Wireless Car, Zenseact, SKF, Autoliv, Magna and EcarX. Furthermore, it has a strong startup scene, connected largely to smart and sustainable mobility.

“We have a lot of interesting companies and a very good environment for developing new products and services, and getting them to market,” says Per.

A hotspot for innovation

Gothenburg offers world-class test environments, including Sweden’s new testbed for electromobility SEEL; and Gothenburg Green City Zone, where the city serves as a testbed for new emission-free transport solutions.

It also has open innovation environments bringing together large companies and startups, established networks, a leading technology university, and a science park that hosts leading development projects within mobility and AI.

This ecosystem, combined with our skilled workforce, is a key reason why global companies invest more in R&D here than anywhere else in Sweden. And why Gothenburg has become an engine for Sweden's growth and innovation.

“We have a lot happening here and we are seeing large-scale and long-term investments being made in the region. Polestar is building a new global headquarter in the city centre. Volvo Cars is building a new 200,000-300,000 sqm mobility innovation centre, as well as a battery gigafactory together with Northvolt. The Volvo Group is also investing heavily in its Gothenburg campus and building a gigafactory of its own.”

Front-runner in sustainability

Gothenburg strongly focuses on reducing emissions as well as adopting and promoting clean transport solutions. 99% of public transport in the county runs on renewable energy and the city’s transport system will be entirely fossil free by 2030. The city has been selected as one of EUs 100 climate-neutral cities in 2030 and named the world’s most sustainable destination seven times.

Gothenburg's emphasis on environmental initiatives, such as Gothenburg Green City Zone and sustainable urban planning, provides the perfect backdrop for displaying and discussing solutions for sustainable urban mobility.

“We are so looking forward to welcoming you to Gothenburg,” says Per.