Drive to Zero Newsletter – November 2021

Dear Drive to Zero Pledge Partners and Allies:

There is much to take stock of now that just over a week has passed since COP26. On the one hand the world is clearly failing to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, despite promising to do so in Paris in 2015.

And yet there are important wins from COP26, most notably an agreement by countries to strengthen emission reduction national plans by next year instead of 2025. There have also been renewed efforts toward stronger financing for adaptation to poor countries, deforestation, coal phase-out (or phase-down), methane reduction, and electric vehicles.

On the latter, this is the first time that a group of 15 leading countries align on a common ambition toward 100% zero-emission trucks and buses that are in line to meet the Paris ambition. This is a major win for our community, and one that we will continue building together and strengthening in 2022.

– Cristiano Façanha, Global Director, CALSTART/Drive to Zero

Drive to Zero Program Progress and Updates

The Global Agreement on Zero-Emission Trucks and Buses (LINK)

CALSTART’s Drive to Zero team and the Government of the Netherlands unveiled a landmark commitment on Transport Day at COP26: under the first ever Global Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (ZE-MHDVs), leading countries committed to work together to enable 100% new ZE-MHDV sales by 2040, with an interim goal of 30% zero-emission sales by 2030. In a coordinated effort, subnational governments and industry leaders agreed to support and work collaboratively toward the MOU goals.

This monumental achievement sets a new standard for transforming commercial transport. For the first time, leading governments and industry are aligned on a pathway toward reaching 100% zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040. With the COP26 declaration on zero-emission cars and vans launched concurrently, cars, vans, trucks, and buses are now all on a pathway to 100% zero emissions and in line to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Drive to Zero’s website now features a new homepage plus landing page for all content related to the Global MOU for ZE-MHDVs, including a list of MOU country-signers, subnational government and private sector endorsers, press announcements, quotes from governments and the private sector, a new COP26 video, a “Progress Dashboard” tracking government action in the MHDV segment, and the ZET Global Expo Digital hub – a new online resource that demonstrates the reality of zero-emission trucks today.

Drive to Zero at COP26

Missed the livestream of events Drive to Zero organized and/or participated in at COP26? Check out the video recordings of the Global MOU launch and other supporting events that raised the profile and helped accelerate the deployment of zero-emission commercial vehicles on the world stage:

Clean Commercial Transportation Update (CCTU) – What’s Next After COP26

CCTU hosts Bill Van Amburg and Alycia Gilde shared their experience at COP26 during this month’s segment, providing a behind-the-scenes overview of the high-level announcements and ambitious climate goals that came out of Glasgow. They also took a deep dive into the momentous Global MOU, with an interview from Drive to Zero’s very own Cristiano Façanha and Peter Jenkins. Be sure to click the link if you missed it! (LINK)

Welcome New Global MOU Supporters and Drive to Zero Pledge Partners

The Drive to Zero team would like to thank the 15 signatory countries and 39 subnational government and industry endorsers for their partnership and support in launching the new Global MOU.

MOU Signatories:

MOU Endorsers:

Learn more about MOU endorsement on the Drive to Zero website (LINK)

We’d also like to welcome the following organizations for signing the Drive to Zero Pledge.

Learn more about the Pledge on the Drive to Zero website (LINK)

News Updates

As we all continue to accumulate, celebrate, criticize, and reflect on the plethora of headlines generated from Glasgow, it is no surprise that COP26 signaled the critical need for coordinated worldwide action to limit the rise of global temperatures. The Global MOU for ZE-MHDVs helps put the 2050 target of net zero carbon emissions within reach, and various governing bodies are looking to do the same: Oregon regulators announced the adoption of California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus rules (HD Omnibus). Oregon’s Clean Trucks Rule paves the way for a fully zero-emission commercial transportation future in the state and for significant emission reductions along North America’s West Coast, especially with British Columbia having set the most aggressive interim ZEV sales targets in North America.

With the Global MOU driving leading countries, subnational government, and industry leaders to 100% zero-emission new truck and bus sales, massive investment and new job creation in battery and electric component manufacturing and charging infrastructure will occur – Tevva already plans to spend a recently awarded $57M investment on its first London-based manufacturing plant and to scale production of its 7.5 tonne electric truck. While future efforts will focus on expanding country participation in the Global MOU, economic benefits from the ZE-MHDV supply chain are already materializing in the United States, with 375 companies, 330,000 employees, and more than $53.7 billion in announced investments – not to mention the signed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which will significantly increase funding for electric vehicles, and the U.S. Department of Energy awarding $199 million to fund 25 projects focused on developing both zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure.

Speaking of infrastructure and keeping with the spirit of collaboration, countries and industry leaders are also working together on implementing zero-emission charging and refueling technology. Truck manufacturer Daimler Trucks and the energy group Total have agreed to develop hydrogen infrastructure for heavy trucks in the European Union, focusing on Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, and France. In addition, the United States, Britain, and 17 other countries committed to the Clydebank Declaration, which will aim for clean energy infrastructure at ports and establish at least six “green corridors” by 2025. You can also still join Transport Decarbonisation Alliance’s call to action for timely planned and accelerated implementation of zero-emission infrastructure – add your organization to show support.

Please share new information, potential partners, and innovative practices to achieve our Drive to Zero goals at info@globaldrivetozero.org. Follow us on Twitter @TeamDrivetoZero. Please feel free to share this newsletter with others.

– Emily Varnell, Technical Writer, CALSTART

News Links

Events / Reports

  • At COP26, California assumes leadership of international alliance to boost carbon-free transportation worldwide (LINK)
  • TDA’s Charge Forward to Zero Emissions Transportation: A global call to accelerate electric vehicle charging infrastructure (LINK)
  • COP26 sees pledges to transition to electric vehicles, but key countries are mum (LINK)

 Fleet Deployments

  • It’s Not Easy to Convert Diesel Buses to Electric — But Some Cities Are Doing it Anyway (LINK)
  • Auckland to purchase 152 electric buses (LINK)
  • New Flyer scores e-bus deal that could prove largest in the US (LINK)
  • The heavy-haul case for electric trucks (LINK)

Markets

  • Zero-emission trucks generating jobs across the U.S. (LINK)
  • Merchants Fleet to buy 5,400 new BrightDrop EV410s (LINK)
  • Electric Semi-Trailers Are Next Step in Greening China’s Roads (LINK)

Manufacturers and Models: Trucks and Buses

  • After expanding to make electric trucks, B.C.-based Vicinity Motor courts $14-million order from Pioneer Auto Group (LINK)
  • What Does Daimler Truck Spin-Off Mean for North America? (LINK)
  • Scania and SCA develop first 80 tonne electric timber truck (LINK)
  • Iveco eyes drive into zero emission trucks after spin-off (LINK)
  • Tevva secures $57m boost to scale up production of zero-emissions trucks (LINK)

Manufacturers and Models: Port Equipment and Off-Road

  • As L.A. fights port gridlock, U.S. and global leaders pledge to curb shipping emissions (LINK)

Government Policies

  • U.S. DOE Announces More than $127 Million for SuperTruck 3 (LINK)
  • Fact Sheet: Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (LINK)
  • New British Columbia 2030 climate plan has most aggressive interim ZEV sales targets in North America (LINK)
  • Zero emissions truck plan gets green light from Oregon regulators (LINK)
  • Oregon DEQ approves ‘Clean Trucks Rule’ to propel shift to zero-emissions electric vehicles (LINK)

Financial Incentives

  • Global Finance Ministers Discuss Transition to Net Zero (LINK)

Fuels & Infrastructure

  • Greenlots Becoming Shell Recharge Solutions, Fostering Greater Access to Commercial Transportation Electrification (LINK)
  • Daimler Trucks and Total join forces on H2 infrastructure (LINK)
  • LADOT to charge electric buses by solar and storage microgrid (LINK)

 Batteries & Technology

  • Northvolt produces first fully recycled battery cell – looks towards establishing 125,000 ton/year giga recycling plant (LINK)
  • Proterra to supply battery technology for up to 10,000 Lightning eMotors electric commercial vehicles (LINK)