Northvolt’s Big Bet on Green Batteries. Northvolt was founded in 2016 by Peter Carlsson, a former Tesla executive, and Paolo Cerruti with a bold mission: to build the world’s greenest battery. At a time when nearly all lithium-ion batteries were produced in Asia using carbon-heavy supply chains, they saw an opportunity to anchor production in Europe, powered by renewable energy.
The company’s first major project, Northvolt Ett in northern Sweden, was designed to run almost entirely on hydropower and recycle old batteries into new ones. This sustainability-first approach distinguished Northvolt in a crowded field and gave it a powerful story that resonated with investors, automakers, and governments alike.
That story quickly turned into contracts. Volkswagen, BMW, and Volvo signed multi-billion-dollar deals to secure battery supply, while the EU and Swedish government poured in financing to ensure Europe had a strategic foothold in energy storage. Billions were raised to fund gigafactory construction, making Northvolt one of the most heavily backed clean-tech startups in Europe.
The road has not been smooth—building gigafactories at scale has brought delays and enormous costs—but Northvolt has positioned itself as a credible challenger to Asian dominance. More importantly, it has become a symbol of Europe’s determination to lead in the transition to electric mobility.
For sales leaders, Northvolt’s rise offers a key lesson: they did not just sell batteries; they sold a vision. By tying their product to sustainability and independence, they attracted not only customers but also long-term partners who wanted to be part of that mission.
My Big Takeaway: A product is powerful, but a vision is unstoppable. Northvolt teaches us that when you connect what you sell to a cause people believe in, you build loyalty, momentum, and the kind of support that fuels long-term growth.
Stay Hungry. Stay Humble.
Che Brown
www.CEOSalesAgency.com
Connect with me - @IamCheBrown