Volvo Cars is establishing the Mobility Innovation Destination Torslanda, strategically positioned near its core operations in Gothenburg, Sweden, as a specialized test environment for automotive development. This initiative marks another step in the company’s journey towards electrification and the advancement of its next generation of premium electric vehicles.
The innovation center will serve as a platform for Volvo Cars to evaluate emerging technologies within an environment designed to mirror the envisioned future society where its cars will operate. Rather than confining the development of technologies like wireless car charging, vehicle-to-grid bi-directional charging, and self-driving capabilities to laboratories and development centers, the mobility innovation center aims to facilitate the testing, validation, and deployment of innovations in a city-like setting.
In addition to constructing new buildings and facilities for testing, engineering, and materials, Volvo Cars plans to expand its Torslanda campus in Gothenburg to accommodate start-ups and business partners.
Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, stated, “With this initiative, we aim to create an ecosystem where we can develop the future of mobility – including cars, the technology inside of them, and the infrastructure around them, all hand in hand. Our ambition is to pioneer technology, attract global talent, and connect with other cutting-edge businesses.”
The project sets ambitious sustainability targets, with the first new construction of 25,000 square meters dedicated solely to Volvo Cars’ use and designed as a wood hybrid structure to reduce the carbon footprint by 15 percent compared to traditional steel and concrete frames. Construction is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2024, with the first building expected to be completed by 2026, in time for Volvo Cars’ centenary in 2027.
The Mobility Innovation Destination Torslanda will complement Volvo Cars’ expanding physical locations worldwide, including the recently inaugurated software testing center in Gothenburg and numerous Tech Hubs. These initiatives underscore Volvo Cars’ commitment to innovation and strategic positioning across multiple global hubs for engineering and technological development.
