Arctic Mobility Arena gathers stakeholders to accelerate the transition of heavy transport
The next step is now being taken towards creating an environment where e-mobility system actors can enable the transition to fossil-free transport under real operating conditions. Through the Arctic Mobility Arena initiative, Arctic Center of Energy (ACE), Luleå University of Technology, Skellefteå Kraft and ILC (a municipally owned company of Storuman Municipality) are joining forces to bring together key stakeholders and accelerate the transition towards fossil-free heavy transport in Arctic conditions.
The ambition is to establish a collaborative arena where multiple actors can share risk, build knowledge and gain a better understanding of what is required for electrified transport systems to function in everyday operations. The transition of heavy transport is not primarily limited by a lack of ambition or technology. Rather, one of the key challenges is ensuring that the entire system works in practice. Vehicles, power grids, charging infrastructure and logistics must function together – in cold climates, challenging terrain and across long distances – without disrupting operations.
Bringing system actors together during autumn 2026
During autumn 2026, the initiative plans to convene transport operators, freight buyers, energy companies, vehicle manufacturers and public-sector stakeholders to develop a shared agenda focused on common needs and priority transition projects.
“Electrification is entering a new phase. The question is no longer whether it can be done, but how to make it work reliably under real-world conditions. Northern Sweden offers a unique combination of existing infrastructure, high-tech industry and broad applied research expertise in e-mobility at Luleå University of Technology. We look forward to bringing stakeholders together this autumn to begin shaping concrete projects,” says Tobias Vahlne, Director of ACE.
Potential projects may include long-term testing of battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles in regular transport operations, verification of charging and refuelling solutions under winter conditions, or evaluations of how new vehicle technologies affect logistics, operations and workforce planning.
“Significant progress has been made in developing individual components for the fossil-free transition. However, major knowledge gaps remain regarding how technical, operational and organisational elements interact in real-world environments. This type of system knowledge can only be developed through practical operation and testing,” says Marcus Björling, Associate Professor at Luleå University of Technology and Program Manager for eMobility Research at ACE.
No single actor can manage the transition alone
Arctic Mobility Arena is designed to serve as a hub where industry, the public sector and academia can work together to lower barriers to the transition of society-critical transport systems.
For transport companies and their industrial customers, the transition involves much more than investing in a new vehicle. Transport operations must continue to function every day. Vehicle range affects route planning. Charging and refuelling influence driver scheduling. If a vehicle becomes unavailable, service capacity and contingency solutions are needed to prevent disruptions across the transport chain. These factors contribute to significant operational and financial risks for many actors considering electrification or hydrogen-based solutions.
Where transport flows, industry and research already connect
Storuman is already a strategic logistics node in northern Sweden. The E12 and E45 highways intersect here, alongside the Inland Line railway and the cross-country railway connection towards Umeå. The Storuman terminal serves as an intermodal hub where freight is transferred between road and rail and is already used by companies within forestry and logistics.
At the same time, one of Sweden’s first public hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy vehicles is being established in the area. The combination of real transport flows, energy infrastructure and Arctic operating conditions makes Storuman an attractive environment for developing and validating the next generation of heavy transport systems.
“Industry needs places where new vehicles and transport systems can be tested under real operating conditions. Here, we already have the environment, infrastructure and expertise required to make electrification work in practice,” concludes Johan Duvdahl, CEO of ILC Storuman.
The article aligns well with the project's positioning as a system innovation arena rather than a vehicle test site, which is also consistent with the project's stated objectives around bringing together system actors, reducing uncertainty and enabling real-world validation of electrified and hydrogen-based transport solutions.
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