Björn Nykvist Honored with Håkan Frisinger Prize for Transportation Research Excellence
Björn Nykvist Honored with Håkan Frisinger Prize
The Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) has recognized Dr. Björn Nykvist, a senior research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), by awarding him the Håkan Frisinger Prize for Excellence in Transportation Research for 2025. This esteemed award, which carries a cash prize of SEK 300,000 and a research grant of 500,000 SEK at Lund University, is presented annually to outstanding transport researchers affiliated with Nordic universities or research institutions.
Advancing Transportation Research
Nykvist’s noteworthy contributions focus on the electrification of the transport sector, particularly emphasizing the importance of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in shaping climate policy and transitioning energy systems. His two-decade-long career traverses multiple disciplines, including engineering physics, psychology, environmental science, and social science, enabling him to tackle complex socio-technical systems effectively.
His groundbreaking research on battery cost trajectories has profoundly influenced perceptions regarding BEV viability due to rapidly decreasing battery costs. Notably, his 2015 publication in Nature Climate Change was pivotal in altering the global outlook on BEVs, making them more appealing to stakeholders across various sectors.
A Sustainable Future
VREF Director Henrik Nolmark highlighted Nykvist's talent for merging rigorous scientific research with significant policy implications, particularly in the crucial area of transport electrification. This fusion is deemed essential for cultivating sustainable urban environments.
As part of the VREF Visiting Researcher Programme at Lund University, Nykvist will have the opportunity to cultivate interdisciplinary connections further, promoting the development of future researchers in the sustainability field.