CREATE International Project – Nordic EV Summit 2025: Day 1 Highlights

On April 9, 2025, the CREATE International faculty delegation arrived at the 8th annual Nordic EV Summit in Oslo, Norway, hosted at Nova Spektrum in Lillestrøm. Recognized as one of Europe’s premier conferences on electric mobility, the summit brought together over 1,300 delegates from 43 countries, including industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. Day 1 was a dynamic blend of networking, insightful sessions, and a deep dive into the future of electric mobility, perfectly aligning with CREATE’s mission to advance sustainable transportation, clean energy solutions, and technical education advances.

Morning: Arrival and Networking

The day kicked off with registration, coffee, and networking in the exhibition area. Our delegation, representing diverse expertise in EV policy, battery technology, and charging infrastructure, seized the opportunity to connect with global stakeholders. The venue, just 10 minutes by train from Oslo City Center, buzzed with energy as delegates explored cutting-edge exhibits from leading car manufacturers, charging companies, and battery innovators. These early interactions set the stage for meaningful collaborations, with our team exchanging ideas on scalable EV solutions for emerging markets.

Opening Session: Setting the Stage for Electric Mobility

The Opening Session, hosted by Ellen Hiep and Lars Lund Godbolt, delivered a powerful start. General Secretary Christina Bu, a TIME Magazine 2024 Climate Leader, shared Norway’s remarkable progress, noting that 94% of new car sales are fully electric, putting the country on track to meet its 2025 zero-emission vehicle goal. Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen outlined Norway’s forward-looking EV policies, emphasizing incentives and infrastructure investments. Dr. Timur Gül from the IEA provided a global perspective on clean energy transitions, while former Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen underscored the EV transition’s critical role in combating the climate crisis. Our delegation was particularly inspired by Norway’s policy framework, which offers valuable lessons for US Advancement sustainable transportation.

Mid-Morning: How Norway Went Electric

The mid-morning session, “How Norway Convinced Everyone to Go Electric,” moderated by Christina Bu, featured Colin McKerracher (BloombergNEF), Atle Gulbrandsen, Kristian Gulheim, and Kristin Halvorsen. The panel dissected Norway’s success, highlighting tax incentives, extensive charging networks, and public awareness campaigns. For our delegation, this session sparked discussions on adapting Norway’s strategies to regions with less developed EV ecosystems, a key focus of CREATE’s international projects.

Lunch and Partner Stage: Heavy-Duty Electrification

During lunch break, our team networked at the PwC Partner Stage, where the lunch session, moderated by Roger Atkins, explored “Overcoming Barriers to Large-Scale Heavy-Duty Electrification.” Speakers Jonas Hernlund, Tommi Saarela, and Oddvar Horneberg shared Nordic fleet electrification insights, emphasizing scalable solutions for trucks and buses. This resonated with CREATE’s work on electrifying public transport in urban centers.

Afternoon: Deep Dive into Seamless Charging

The afternoon Deep Dive session, “Achieving the Tesla Charging Experience for All EV Owners,” moderated by Erik Lorentzen, was a highlight. Experts Adriana Fricke, Erik Englund, Alexandra Aarvold Rastad, and Christian Kurtenbach debated Plug & Charge versus Auto charge technologies. The discussion on universal compatibility to eliminate apps and RFID cards aligned with CREATE’s push for user-friendly charging infrastructure in developing markets. Our delegation noted the importance of standardizing Plug & Charge, as championed by organizations like CharIN, to ensure equitable access to EV charging.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Day 1 of the Nordic EV Summit 2025 was a testament to the power of collaboration in driving the electric mobility revolution. For the CREATE International faculty delegation, the sessions underscored the importance of policy innovation, standardized charging, and heavy-duty electrification—areas where we can make a tangible impact. As we prepare for Day 2, our team is eager to explore global trade dynamics and emerging technologies, building on the connections and insights gained today.

Stay tuned for our Day 2 recap, and join CREATE in shaping a sustainable, electrified future!