As part of the Green Transition Summit program, GTI led a roundtable discussion on electric vehicle (EV) charging. Participants focused on the ongoing sustainable build-out of EV charging infrastructure, exploring topics such as market trends, EV adoption, and consumer perceptions of charging. Notably, GTI, in collaboration with Volvo CE, Atlas Copco, and Husqvarna, is pioneering a pilot project to identify a construction site for sustainable EV infrastructure. The core of this initiative is to build green infrastructure sustainably, strengthening the case for electrified construction.

The discussion first examined global EV markets and policies, focusing on Western Europe and the United States. First, participants identified a common disparity in regulations when comparing transportation and construction vehicles, noting that emission-reduction are disproportionately geared toward transportation rather than construction sector. Additionally, notable policy differences exist between the European Union and the United States since the EU tends to favor taxes and penalties while the US promotes incentive actions like tax credits. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), for example, includes provisions for tax credits linked to the purchase of EVs, contributing to the growth of EV purchases in the United States.

The roundtable also explored key challenges and opportunities to expand EV usage. Within the construction industry, there are constraints to expanding electrification given the need for grid connectivity, robust energy storage and the capacity for off-grid electricity generation. Industry voices have also expressed skepticism towards fully electric solutions, suggesting that hybrid models may help facilitate the ongoing electric transition. However, incentivizing low emission construction will greatly depend on prospective policies. Regulatory oversights of sustainable construction will slow the sector’s green transition, while being outpaced by the growth of transportation infrastructure in urban areas.

Overall, factors like industrial shifts, grid stability, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics will continue to play a role in how EVs are adopted on a larger, international scale. Given that Sweden is a global leader in electromobility and charging, the roundtable explored how Swedish solutions can support US industry and EV markets.