Global Commercial Drive To Zero Program — Drive to Zero Newsletter

We are in the midst of a global energy crisis, with oil prices topping more than $110 a barrel. We are all feeling the effects and operational costs have skyrocketed for the diesel medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sector.

Many of us have long raised the alarm that global transport costs should not remain vulnerable to the volatile global oil market. This volatility and our vulnerability will continue to grow as climate change and more frequent and extreme weather events are also contributing factors, interrupting the flow of oil and transportation routes across the globe.

Across governments, industries, and market experts worldwide, there is growing alignment on a key way to insulate our economies and protect our communities: transitioning to zero‑emission trucks, buses, and infrastructure—a solution already championed by our Global MOU community.

The best and brightest industry voices are today and must remain front and center in the transport policy discussions that can help us decouple our economies from unstable oil prices. When the innovators who power our economy call for strong ZE-MHDV policies and regulations, policymakers listen. They recognize that businesses and industry groups will advocate for policies to help strengthen their competitiveness, grow efficiencies, advance technologies, lower their costs, and improve their operations. So far this year, Drive to Zero has mobilized businesses and industry groups in India, Europe, and Australia to weigh in on key policy decisions.

European business leaders from ALDI, Arcadis, DHL, Geopost, Nestle, PepsiCo, TRATON Group, and more are calling on EU Transport Ministers to fully implement toll exemptions and CO2-based road charging for zero-emission trucks (ZETs) under the Eurovinette Directive. See below for more information.

In India, over a dozen front-running companies and industry associations including EKA, BillionE, Blue Energy, Greencell, Sun Mobility, and Transvolt called on the Ministry of Finance to unlock low-cost institutional capital for fleet electrification and infrastructure buildout. They also urged the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to support proposed fuel efficiency standards for HDVs, MDVs, and LDVs.

Windrose and other top business voices back zero-emission trucking in Australia.

In Australia, a coalition of companies and organizations sent a joint letter to Ministers Catherine King and Chris Bowen urging action to unlock investment in zero-emission trucks and buses by joining the Global MOU on ZE-MHDVs, building high-capacity freight charging infrastructure, supporting the Sydney–Melbourne “Hume Zero” corridor, and providing targeted incentives for SMEs.

Drive to Zero and the Global MOU community are at the forefront of advancing clean transportation solutions that will insulate and protect economies from uncertainty in oil markets and reduce the human and financial costs of pollution. We salute the strategic leadership of our industry partners in shaping and amplifying a compelling case for a more resilient transportation sector and global economy.

— Stephanie Kodish, Senior Global Director, CALSTART/Drive to Zero

Special Features

Welcome to our New Team Members!

Africa Lead Consultant Marumbo Sichinga joins us from Kabisa Electric, the Rwandan EV supplier pioneering electric truck deployments and responsible for the country’s largest charging network. Marumbo brings unique insight into electrification drivers for companies, finance, coalition building, and market development experience in the electric freight sector. His work with CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program will focus on collaborating with African governments and companies to advance zero-emission policies that support economic growth, job creation, clean air, and healthy communities across the region.

Through her work at the Organization of Ibero American States and ICLEI America do Sul, Brazil Lead Consultant Isabela de Siqueira Barbosa has extensive experience bringing public and private sector leaders together to advance sustainable infrastructure and mobility solutions across Latin America. Isabela’s work with the Drive to Zero program will focus on forging partnerships and building coalitions that will advocate for a swift transition to zero-emission transport in Brazil, including the flagship e-Dutra corridor between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Welcome to Our New Global MOU Endorsers!

🇮🇳 New Analysis: ZETs Can Power Economic Growth & Stability in India

India’s freight system sits at the center of its economic engine—and its energy vulnerability. In a new analysis, From Diesel Dependence to Zero-Emission Trucks: How India’s Freight Sector Can Power Economic Stability & Growth, CALSTART Drive to Zero Senior Consultant Joseph Teja lays out why freight fueled by diesel is becoming structurally more expensive and volatile, while electricity—especially renewable-backed—is becoming cheaper, more predictable, and domestically anchored.

Read the Analysis

🇪🇺 Ministerial Letter: Calling for Eurovignettes Across Europe

European business leaders representing ALDI SOUTH Group, Arcadis, DHL, Geopost, IKEA, Nestle, PepsiCo., TRATON Group and others—59 in total—are calling on EU Governments to adopt zero-emission truck toll exemptions under the Eurovignette Directive now!

nnovators representing truck manufacturers, energy companies, financiers, e-mobility and more from across the EU recently delivered a joint letter to EU Transport Ministers and CALSTART’s Drive to Zero along with partners the European Clean Trucking Alliance (ECTA), Climate Group, Smart Freight Centre, and Transport & Environment are helping to bring their message to EU Transport Ministers.

Transitioning to zero-emission trucks (ZETS) “is crucial for Europe to maintain its industrial leadership” in the global transport sector, according to these business voices. Their letter calls on EU countries to implement toll exemptions for ZETS now, introduce CO₂-based road charging, and direct revenues toward a fair transition.

EU countries currently have the power to exempt ZETs from road tolls and user charges until 30 June 2031—top business voices are calling on them to “send a clear market signal, unlock private investment, and accelerate Europe’s transition to a clean and future-proof road freight sector.”

Read the Letter

Read the Press Announcement

🇦🇺 Ministerial Letter: Calling for ZE-MHDV Investment in Australia

Businesses, industry, and civil society are calling for Australia to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucking. Earlier this month, a coalition of companies and organisations including TRATON GROUP/Scania Group, Windrose Technology, Inc., and the Victorian Transport Association sent a joint letter to Ministers Catherine King and Chris Bowen urging action to unlock investment in zero-emission trucks and buses. Key steps proposed include: Joining the Global MOU on ZE-MHDVs, building high-capacity freight charging infrastructure, and providing targeted incentives for SMEs.

Read the Letter

🇳🇴 Global MOU Community Spotlight: Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association

Maren Hemsett, project manager for the electrification of trucks at the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, recently outlined the policies that Norway is adopting to improve the total cost of ownership of electric trucks compared to their diesel counterparts. Currently, electric trucks in Norway cost two and a half times more than diesel trucks. The country’s current policies—which include subsidies, zero-emission requirements in public procurements, and national exemption of toll road fees until 2030—have already delivered strong results. As of 2025, 9.4% of zero-emission trucks that weigh less than 16 tonnes have achieved cost parity, compared to 3.7% in 2022. The country is planning further actions, including zero-emission zones, increased weight limits, and access to public transport lanes. To learn more, watch Maren’s presentation.

View Presentation

🇬🇧 Global MOU Community Spotlight: Charging Up Change in the UK

90-year-old family-owned logistics operator, the Welch Group, is Charging Up Change in the UK.

With three depots in East England, the medium-sized business is not only electrifying its fleet, but also sharing operational experiences with other independent hauliers looking to convert to zero-emission logistics.

As the Welch Group works with the support of partners Palletline, Connected Places Catapult, Innovate UK Business Connect, VOLTEMPO, and Renault Trucks UK, it says the biggest barrier to zero-emission truck adoption isn’t willingness, it’s access. Access to capital, to infrastructure, and to the innovation programmes where the learning happens.

What can help create that access? The market certainty created by a clear, ambitious ZEV mandate for the UK.

☞ Want more Charging Up Change? Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.

Upcoming Events

🗓️ Mark Your Calendar: Exclusive Networking Event at ITF

Kick-off the ITF 2026 Summit with an exclusive networking opportunity! Energy Resilience on Wheels: Scaling Zero-Emission Transport, taking place on Wednesday, May 6th from 9:00 am – 10:30 am GMT, will focus on how governments and businesses can build investable, resilient zero-emission transport systems. Connect with senior government leaders, fleet operators, OEMs, charging and grid providers, energy companies, and more—all focused on advancing investment and policy dialogues for zero-emission transportation.

Featured Experts:

H.E. María Fernanda Rojas Mantilla, Minister of Transport, Colombia
Karol Gobczynski, Global Head of Climate & Circular, TRATON Group
Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Doris Martetschläger, Supply Chain Operations Manager, IKEA INKA
Sophie Punte, Supervisory Board Member, Milence
Anne-Margreet Sas, Coordinator International Sustainable Mobility, NL Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Netherlands

Learn More

🌎 Global MOU Forum 2026: Spotlight on Infrastructure

What infrastructure is required for the most efficient transition to zero-emission trucks and buses? What are the policies and financial tools that will spur the public and private sectors to invest in this infrastructure? We’ll set out to answer these big questions and more at the 2026 Global MOU Forum. The Forum is taking place in Santiago, Chile from September 8-10.

Mobility Portal Media Opportunities—Inquire Today!

Drive to Zero is proud to partner with Mobility Portal to provide key insights on the global transition to zero-emission trucks and buses. Interested in contributing your expertise or sharing your story as part of this collaboration? Contact Ricardo Garcia at rgarciacoyne@calstart.org to learn more.

Newsroom

Drive to Zero Newsletter – April 2026