eComExpo, one of the anticipated trade fairs of the year, is set to unveil cutting-edge advancements in fossil-free transport solutions on September 27-28 at the Scandinavian XPO in Arlandastad, Stockholm, Sweden.
The event promises to showcase future-focused strategies aimed at curbing emissions across various modes of transportation, from trucks and planes to ships and electric mopeds.
In addition to the impressive lineup of exhibitors, eComExpo offers an extensive program of 25 seminars, covering a diverse range of topics. These seminars will delve into crucial subjects such as electric trucks and the role of hydrogen in shaping future transportation.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about how politics can influence and drive various development efforts, along with the transformative potential of electric drones in the transportation sector.
Anna Fägersten, the marketing director at the organizing entity eLife Nordic, expressed the team’s dedication to crafting a captivating and insightful program that fosters audience engagement.
“We have worked hard to create a program that, both in terms of content and people, should be fun, exciting, important and give you new knowledge,” said Fägersten. “We want lots of audience interaction. Even those who stand on stage are there to learn.”
The event’s discussions will be enriched by the presence of approximately 100 participants from businesses, political entities, and local governments.
Prominent manufacturers like Volvo and Scania are set to participate in the events, along with Gothenburg-based Heart Aerospace, specializing in electric-powered aircraft development. Another notable participant, Swedish electric truck manufacturer Volta Trucks, will also make its debut appearance at the eComExpo.
Volta Zero’s Debut at eComExpo
Volta Trucks has been making waves with its electric truck designed for urban goods transport – the Volta Zero. Unlike traditional counterparts, the Volta Zero has been designed from the ground up for electric operation.
Volta Zero boasts unique features like a low step-in height and an expansive windshield. Its camera-equipped rear-view mirrors also enhance visibility through side windows.
In the upcoming eComExpo, attendees will not only have the opportunity to witness its innovative design and features but also get to experience Volta Zero firsthand through test drives offered by the company.
Setting itself apart from industry norms, the Volta Zero is assembled in its entirety at the Austrian factory. The vehicle offers a range of approximately 20 miles on a single charge, addressing the needs of urban distribution traffic.
Volta Trucks founder, Carl-Magnus Norden, will also be personally present at the fair, participating in two seminars on September 28.
Volvo to Embrace Full Electrification by 2030
As the electrifying revolution of the automotive industry is gaining momentum, Swedish automaker Volvo is steering full speed ahead toward a future dominated by electric vehicles (EVs).
In a bold strategic move, Volvo has announced that only electric cars will grace its showrooms in Sweden and across the globe, reflecting Volvo’s ambitious goal to achieve full electrification by 2030.
This visionary commitment entails bidding farewell to the majority of its petrol and diesel-only models, marking a significant turning point in the company’s trajectory.
For those who still prefer traditional engines, the petrol-powered Volvo XC40 B4 will remain available for purchase. However, the rest of Volvo’s lineup will mainly feature plug-in hybrids or fully electric options.
In Sweden this year, electric cars made up 32 percent of Volvo’s deliveries. This number is set to rise with the launch of the upcoming Volvo EX30 and XC90. Plug-in hybrids are currently the most popular choice among buyers.
Notably, only 1.5 percent of buyers opted for gasoline-powered cars, showing a clear shift towards more sustainable transportation choices.
Looking at the sales data from January to July 2023, hybrid cars sold 14,957 units, while fully electric vehicles reached 7,350 units. Petrol vehicles were at 346 units, underlining the move towards electric alternatives.
The Billion-Dollar EV Recycling Industry
In another move to enhance EV adoption, the European Union’s Council of Ministers approved a new battery regulation this summer that will impact how batteries are handled in the region.
This rule aims to ensure that batteries, especially those used in electric cars, contain a certain percentage of recycled materials like lead, lithium and cobalt. The change applies to all types of batteries and includes guidelines for battery tracking and the proper disposal of used batteries.
A recent study by Germany’s Technical University of Aachen and consulting firm PwC is shedding light on how this regulation could shape battery recycling in the EU. The results show the potential for a billion-dollar recycling industry to emerge.
However, to make this happen, significant investments are needed upfront. Around €9 billion (approximately SEK 100 billion) in investments by 2035 could lay the foundation for a thriving battery recycling sector.
According to the study, these investments would pay off, with battery recycling becoming a profitable venture even before 2035.
What’s driving this positive outlook is the expected increase in discarded electric car batteries, which could open up a whole new market. At first, the focus will be on recycling materials from battery factories that are being set up across the continent.
For example, Swiss-Swedish multinational firm ABB and battery manufacturer Northvolt, known for their partnership in green battery technology, are expanding their collaboration even further by stepping into battery recycling.
ABB will provide the necessary process electrification for Northvolt’s battery recycling facility, Revolt Ett. This facility, based in Skellefteå, northern Sweden, aims to become the largest of its kind globally.
Revolt Ett plans to process a massive 125,000 tons of end-of-life batteries and battery production waste every year. The facility’s significance goes beyond recycling, as it will also serve Northvolt’s gigafactory situated on the same site.
The gigafactory, which started production in 2022 and has plans for expansion, aims to reach an annual production capacity of 60 GWh.
“Recycled material can account for up to 30 percent of the demand for lithium, nickel and cobalt in the manufacture of battery cells in 2035 and double this proportion as early as 2040,” said Jörn Neunhausen, a contributor to the study.
Europe’s commitment to sustainable battery solutions is turning into action. Swedish player Stena Recycling, for example, joined the effort with a state-of-the-art facility in Halmstad, capable of recycling up to 95 percent of electric car batteries.
Kristofer Sundsgård, president and CEO of Stena Metall Group, underscores the importance of this shift.
“The electrification of society has only just begun, and we want to promote a circular strategy for battery production,” he said.
Around 2030, a significant wave of electric car batteries is predicted to reach the end of their life, leading to the recycling of a substantial 570,000 tonnes of battery materials.