The new Kempower Electric Mobility Research Center to start operations

LAHTI, FINLAND – In June 2023, Kempower and LUT University announced an extensive collaboration in the field of electric mobility. As a result, the new Kempower Electric Mobility Research Center (EMRC) has now been opened on LUT’s campus in Lahti, Southern Finland. The launch of the EMRC will take place at the New trends of electrification event in Lahti on 28 November 2023. 

The EMRC is essential for Kempower’s continuous product development and research, and it supports the company’s growth strategy to meet the growing demand for reliable EV fast charging solutions. 

“Research and product development have been at the heart of Kempower since the company was established in 2018, and the new research center marks a significant milestone in the company’s RDI activities. The center signifies Kempower's commitment to staying at the forefront of our industry. With our unique data from the field and LUT University’s resources, we will be able to envision EV drivers’ future needs and continue to offer reliable and user-friendly EV charging solutions for everyone and everywhere,” says Kempower’s Chief Technology Officer Mikko Veikkolainen. 

The EMRC cuts across the boundaries of almost all of LUT University’s fields of specialization – from technology and business to social and communication sciences. The LAB University of Applied Sciences is also strongly involved in the collaboration. 

“The research center represents a whole new way of collaborating with companies. In addition to the agile and rapidly growing Kempower, LUT and LAB are happy to help other companies in the region to build future success,” LUT University’s Chief Growth Officer Petri Ajo. 

The new research center is a central part of Lahti GEM (Green Electrification of Mobility Cluster). Lahti GEM is a platform for companies, research and education organisations, and cities. The EMRC plays an important role in developing electric transportation research in Lahti.  

”In the past few years, Lahti GEM has grown to be an active collaboration platform of over 40 actors. We want to concentrate on the growth and internationalization of the cluster companies’ business, especially with development projects and pilots. We have collaborated closely with the region’s higher education organizations and schools. For us, it’s extremely important to promote new initiatives in electric transport research, education and R&D,” explains Pekka Komu, the Head of Lahti GEM and Business Development Manager of Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd. 

”In Lahti, the just-opened EMRC is a good example of collaboration where the cluster’s actors, Kempower and LUT University, have found each other and boldly started to build something new. Initiatives like this help Lahti to set an example in municipal electric transportation,” he continues. 

Director appointed for EMRC 

EMRC’s operation will officially begin when the EMRC’s newly appointed Research Director Ville Naumanen starts on Monday 13.11.2023.  

“I am excited to be able to strengthen the cooperation between Kempower and LUT and to take part in the electromobility competence cluster that has already gained significant momentum. As EMRC is built right at the core of this competence cluster, it offers me an exciting vantage point over science, education, industry needs and markets around electromobility. I’m looking forward to leaving my mark on a better and cleaner future with Finland’s best experts and professionals. We will create something new,” Naumanen says. 

The hire was based on the candidate's vision and leadership competences in both industry and academia. The ability to recognize opportunities to match industrial needs with a multi-disciplinary academic offering was especially important, because the new research center aims to strengthen research on electric transportation and to develop education to meet a wide range of future industry needs.  

“We wanted the EMRC to be run by a visionary leader who understands the center’s potential and is truly excited about it. Building new ways of cooperating is rather conceptual at the beginning, so this task requires an ability to turn ideas into operations”, outlines Petri Ajo.    

New trends of electrification -event 

The event will take place on 28 November 2023 from 13.00 to 19.00 in Malski’s Sammiosali, (Päijänteenkatu 9, Lahti). 

• The event is free of charge, open to all and held in English. 

• At the event, you will hear about new trends in the electrification of mobility and celebrate the launch of the Electric Mobility Research Center EMRC.  

• Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen will give the key-note speech.   

• Other speakers include Tomi Ristimäki, CEO of Kempower, Juha-Matti Saksa, Rector of LUT University, Lassi Aarniovuori, Professor of Electric Transportation, and Teresa Kemppi-Vasama, Chair of the Board of LUT University.  

• A detailed program will be sent to all participants in advance.  

• The event is organized by Kempower, LUT Universities (LUT and LAB), and Lahti Region Development LADEC. 

• Ensure your place and register: https://sway.office.com/XUAR7VD3xMxi9Um9?ref=Link 

Current trends of electrification 

At the event, we will discuss the following topics among other things:  

• The electrification of heavy vehicle traffic and logistics  

• Infrastructure for EV charging: charging fields and hubs 

• Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G 

• Smart energy management and utilization of data  

• National and international possibilities for the Lahti GEM cluster 

Further information:  

Petra Toivanen, Communications Manager, Kempower 

petra.toivanen@kempower.com 

+358 29 0021900 

Petri Ajo, Chief Growth Officer, LUT University 

petri.ajo@lut.fi 

+358 50 473 6668 

Pekka Komu, Business Development Manager, LADEC Ltd 

pekka.komu@ladec.fi  

+358 40 741 3299 

Kempower in brief 

We design and manufacture reliable and user-friendly DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Our vision is to create the world’s most desired EV charging solutions for everyone, everywhere. Our product development and production are based in Finland, with the majority of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of e-mobility, from electric cars, trucks, and buses to machines and marine. Our modular and scalable charging system and world-class software are designed by EV drivers for EV drivers, enabling the best user experience for our customers around the world. Kempower is listed in the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. www.kempower.com 

LUT University in brief 

Clean energy, water and air are life-giving resources for which we at LUT University seek new solutions with our expertise in technology, business and social sciences. We help society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. Our international community consists of nearly 8 000 members. Our campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. We are one of the top universities in the world for climate action. www.lut.fi/en  

Lahti GEM – Green Electrification of Mobility Cluster 

Lahti GEM – Green Electrification of Mobility Cluster – is a platform for companies, research and education organisations as well as cities. The platform is established to generate and maintain cooperation for developing and commercialising technologies and solutions for the cleaner future of mobility. Lahti GEM cooperation platform is coordinated by Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd. www.lahtigem.fi