Program Updates
European Parliament Votes to Approve Landmark EU CO2 Truck Emissions Regulation
Spring is in full swing, but it’s not just the calendar telling us that brighter days are ahead. Earlier this month, the European Parliament voted to adopt landmark new CO2 truck emissions regulations. The new law, which will impact trucks and coaches weighing more than 7.5 tons, mandates a 90 percent cut in CO2 emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles by 2040.
The regulations have broad support among top transport, shipping, and other companies. In a joint letter, they wrote: “This deal is a landmark agreement that will reduce CO2 emissions in the road transport sector and contribute to Europe’s industrial competitiveness, economic prosperity and climate-neutral future.” You can read the full letter and list of business signatories here.
This groundbreaking law shows that the true April fools this year are any naysayers who think government and industry can’t come together to make real progress in the fight against catastrophic climate change and for clean air. As we look forward to May flowers and warm summer months, Drive to Zero will continue working to support the Global MOU community advancing policies to achieve Global MOU goals. We’re proud to have your support as we move ambition to action.
— Stephanie Kodish, Global Director, CALSTART / Drive to Zero
Industry News
The Biden-Harris Administration announced close to $1.5 billion to aid the transition to zero-emission vehicles. This is the first time a national goal has been set to move to a zero-emission freight sector and it includes a commitment to create a national zero-emission freight strategy.
In a significant initiative, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in India plans to replace more than 6,500 trucks operating in and around the port with battery-powered vehicles.
The first of 62 electric buses began service in Portsmouth, Fareham, and Gosport in England. The rest of the buses, made in Britain by Wrightbus, will be rolled out in coming weeks. The buses are part of a £28.6 million project to bring electric buses to the Solent region.
If you’re in Florida, live green, and like free bus rides, you’re in luck if you visit Hallandale Beach. The city recently announced that it is the first in South Florida with a 100 percent zero-emission bus fleet. The new electric buses offer shorter wait times and expanded routes. Rides on the buses, which feature onboard WiFi, are complimentary.
Earlier this month marked a milestone for the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). From April 13, 2024, important provisions of AFIR came into force. All newly established public charging stations have to comply with its requirements for transparent pricing and billing, offer charging options using widely accepted payment methods without a contract, and be capable of smart charging for system integration.
In Israel, Egged Ltd debuted the ten new inter-city electric buses and ten new electric minibuses in its fleet. The project was supported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the plans from which make sure all new urban buses purchased will be zero-emission by 2026.
MAN and ABB Mobility in Germany just set a new standard by charging a MAN eTruck with more than 700 kW. Using ABB Mobility’s new Megawatt Charging System (MCS), the truck’s battery was charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in about half an hour. That means a truck’s range can be extended an extra 100 kilometers while drivers are taking their 45-minute break.
Special Features
Celebrating the Launch of Drive to Zero Implementation Hub Poland
The Polish Implementation Hub, supported by CALSTART/Drive to Zero and powered by the Polish New Mobility Association (PSNM), launched earlier this month with the goal of transforming local fleets to zero-emission. The hub will provide Polish fleets with tailored solutions to support lower deployment costs coupled with optimal replacement schedules, complemented by the most up-to-date model availability data. In addition, the hub can support stakeholders across the ZE-MHDV ecosystem to identify and plan effective charging infrastructure solutions, connect fleets with innovative financing products, and match-make potential technology, innovation, finance, and other strategic partners.
The Polish Implementation Hub is part of the Global Drive to Zero Implementation Hub Network, which is a catalyzing ecosystem making transformative ZE-MHDV fleets a reality in your community. Last year, the Implementation Hub Netherlands launched as proof-of-concept hub and has now completed the first fleet support projects.
Rowana Legito, Project Manager Europe – Drive to Zero, CALSTART, and Aleksander Rajch, Board Member, PSNM, with MOU signed during Implementation Hub Poland Launch Event
Stay tuned for forthcoming updates on the hub’s activities!
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