LOGAN, Utah — The 2025 ASPIRE Annual Meeting convened leading voices in electrified transportation, workforce development and infrastructure innovation for four dynamic days of collaboration, connection and discovery.
Taking place Nov. 2-5 in Logan, the event celebrated the ASPIRE Research Center’s fifth year of progress with record participation from its 10 university partners, 70 industry and innovation board members, researchers, expert practicians and students from across the nation.
From the first-ever Student Innovation Challenge to the vibrant Technology Showcase, the meeting highlighted ASPIRE’s expanding impact as a national leader in advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
Innovation Challenge Kickstarts Creativity
ASPIRE’s inaugural Student Innovation Challenge launched the week’s events with energy and ingenuity. Forty students formed eight teams to address real-world industry challenges tied to ASPIRE’s core research themes: Charging Stations of the Future, Electrified Roadways, Integrated Systems, and Workforce Development. Universities represented included:
- Utah State University.
- The University of Texas at El Paso.
- University of Utah.
- University of Colorado Boulder.
- Purdue University
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Asphalt Systems Inc., Quarter Circle A, and Jobflow, the event offered $6,500 in prizes.
With mentorship from over 20 industry professionals, students developed solutions in less than 24 hours and delivered five-minute presentations judged for creativity, relevance and impact.
The four-student winning team, “Indiana Ohms: Raiders of the Lost Charge,” designed a visionary proposal and business case to convert PTC’s 7th microgrid into a self-funding multifunctional innovation hub for resilient mobility, sweeping three major awards: 1st Place (Industry Judges), People’s Choice Award (Audience Vote), and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) Innovation Award at the Opening Social on the Utah State University campus.
Industry & Innovation Day Features “Race to 1,000 Miles” Planning
The momentum continued at the Industry and Innovation Day, hosted at the Riverwoods Conference Center. Utah State University outgoing President Al Smith opened the day with remarks calling ASPIRE “a shooting star and a role model,” and praised the center as “the epicenter of electrification.”
ASPIRE Center directors Regan Zane and Ivonne Santiago announced the center’s next grand challenge — the Race to 1,000 Miles of Intelligent Electrified Roadway Systems — a goal that builds on ASPIRE’s history of exceeding its benchmarks year after year. With guidance from ASPIRE Director of Innovation Ecosystem Don Linford and ASPIRE Student Leaders Bruno Cesar Krause Moras and Missel Sanchez, the day centered on ideation workshops using the business model canvas to tackle Grand Challenges identified by industry and research partners.
Distinguished guests included Brigham Young University’s Matthew Memmott, who presented a keynote on advanced nuclear energy solutions for electrified systems, and Utah Department of Transportation Executive Director Carlos Braceras, who concluded the day with an inspiring call to serve future generations through public innovation.
Technology Showcase Highlights Research and Emerging Technology
The week culminated with the Technology Showcase at the ASPIRE Electric Vehicle & Roadway facility. Featuring more than 121 research posters and drawing more than 250 participants, the showcase celebrated five years of research across hundreds of students, faculty and industry partners worldwide.
Attendees explored cutting-edge demonstrations, including six electrified Class 6 and Class 8 trucks, highlighting ASPIRE’s leadership in commercial vehicle electrification and systems integration.
USU incoming President Brad Mortensen joined the evening event — a week before officially assuming office — touring ASPIRE’s facilities alongside USU Vice President for Research Lisa M. Berreau, USU College of Engineering Dean David Jones, and USU Institute of Government and Politics Director Jennifer Seelig.
Other distinguished attendees included Colorado University-Boulder Associate Vice Chancellor Kirsten Schuchman and senior representatives from ASPIRE’s nationwide university network, recognizing the collaborative spirit driving ASPIRE’s mission to electrify mobility at every scale.
A Week of Milestones and Momentum
Reflecting on the gathering, Regan Zane noted that the 2025 Annual Meeting “reinforced the importance of our shared vision and reenergized us to tackle the next year with purpose and momentum — leading the nation and the world toward intelligent electrified transportation systems.”
ASPIRE’s fifth annual meeting celebrated not only past achievement but also future promise. With energized students, inspired partners and a roadmap to the first thousand miles of intelligent electrified roadway system, the center continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in advanced electrified transportation systems.
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