BELÉM, Brazil — At COP30 today the government of Mexico joined an ambitious global agreement to accelerate zero-emission trucks, buses, and infrastructure. The country will join 40 other national governments that have signed the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MoU), which sets a goal of 100% new zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) sales by 2040 at the latest, with an interim goal of at least 30% new sales by 2030.
“Today, we celebrate a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability and decarbonization of the transportation sector, by signing the Global Memorandum of Understanding with CALSTART. This collaboration not only reaffirms our political will, but also opens the doors to new opportunities for investment, production and innovation in zero-emission vehicles.
We are determined to move towards a more sustainable future, promoting economic development that respects and preserves our natural resources. This is just the beginning of a path towards sustainable development and a circular economy that benefits all Mexicans,” said Dr. José Luis Samaniego Leyva. Undersecretary of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy at SEMARNAT.
“Mexico is demonstrating powerful zero-emission transportation leadership through its strong policy commitment to zero-emission trucks, buses, and infrastructure. By sending a clear signal that Mexico is open for business, the country is poised to attract global fleet operators, infrastructure providers, and a host of other zero-emission transport innovators ready for that business,” said John Boesel, CEO of clean transportation accelerator CALSTART.
The new Global MoU signatory was welcomed at the “Roadmap to Zero: Accelerate. Adopt. Deploy” event at COP30. Private sector innovators, who formally endorse the Global MoU as well as the economic, jobs, clean air, and climate benefits of zero-emission transport, applaud the move.
“Electrification of logistics and public transportation fleets is inevitable and the reasons are clear: Compared with diesel-powered vehicles, electric vehicles deliver approximately 80% lower operating costs, 80% to over 100% higher energy efficiency, greater comfort for passengers and drivers, and the elimination of particulate matter, polluting gases, and CO2. It’s as logical a choice as the shift from horse-drawn transport to motor vehicles about two centuries ago,” said Gustavo Tannure, CEO of EZVolt.
“The momentum Mexico brings to the global shift to zero-emission transport is remarkable,” Stephanie Kodish, Senior Global Director of CALSTART’s Drive to Zero. “Latin America is a hotspot for clean technology and zero-emission commercial vehicles. And, the people—the local communities—will enjoy the economic, operational, clean air, and climate benefits clean trucks and buses deliver.”
The current 41 Global MoU countries represent nearly one-in-four trucks globally (see the full list of countrieshere). Endorsing companies, organizations, and subnational governments represent more than $1.3 trillion in annual revenues and national governments represent 40 percent of the world’s GDP.
New Global MoU endorsers announced today include Despacio, Dhemax, EnergyLab, Evolectric, Grutter Consulting, Kabisa, Industry Efficiency Solutions SpA, INTENT Platform, New Energy Transport, Municipalidad de Rancagua, and Transportes Patricio Gutiérrez VEIRL. The Global MoU is co-led by the Government of Colombia and CALSTART’s Drive to Zero. It was first introduced at COP26 in Glasgow.
Partners at today’s event also announced the e-Dutra Coalition, a public–private partnership dedicated to transforming freight transport along Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo corridor into the country’s first zero-emission highway. Bringing together leading companies, infrastructure providers, and government partners, the coalition aims to deploy 1,000 electric trucks and a network of high-capacity chargers by 2030. As part of the Laneshift Initiative and the Global Green Road Corridors program, e-Dutra advances Brazil’s leadership in sustainable mobility, improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, and creating new opportunities for green economic growth. Read more about that announcement here.
Today’s announcements were made by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero, SLOCAT Partnership, Road Transport Breakthrough (Breakthrough Agenda), Accelerating to Zero Coalition, ICCT, UIC, Smart Freight Center (SFC), C40, Volkswagen Truck & Bus, WRI Brazil, WBCSD, and the Ministries of Transport of Colombia and Brazil.
About CALSTART’s Drive to Zero
To align government and industry actions and ambition, CALSTART’s Drive to Zero aims to enable and accelerate the growth of global zero-emission commercial vehicles, and enjoys the support of top manufacturers, fleets, governments, and infrastructure providers. Learn more about the real people and companies that are transforming global transport in Drive to Zero’s “Charging Up Change” series.