Global Commercial Drive To Zero Program — Drive to Zero Newsletter

I am writing to you as I travel from the Clean Energy Ministerial in Busan, South Korea, where Drive to Zero provided high-level ministers, policymakers, and private sector leaders with new insights, tools, and connections to hasten the global transition to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (ZE-MHDVs) and achieve our Global MOU goals.

Through our Accelerating Decarbonization panel with Korea’s environment department, the government of India, the Asian Development Bank, the International Energy Agency, Rocky Mountain Institute, International Transport Forum, and International Solar Alliance, we emphasized that:

The technology is ready. There are nearly 1,000 ZE-MDHV models available worldwide. Implementing ambitious policies, derisking investment and deploying infrastructure will ensure these technologies rapidly scale.
The Global MOU – which sets goals of achieving 100% new ZE-MHDV sales by 2040 and at least 30% new sales by 2030 in the interim – has been signed by 40 countries and endorsed by more than 250 companies, subnational governments, and organizations. Driving sales and providing market certainty will require establishing regulations, (which provide clarity in stakeholder roles), creating compliance timelines (which support long-term planning), and facilitating coordinated action across the entire ecosystem.
There are tools available to address the high upfront costs of eHDVs. These tools include low-cost, long-term financing options such as residual value guarantees and credit risk guarantees that could increase eHDV uptake in the coming years, especially given the highly fragmented nature of the HDV market (dominated by SMEs).
Global Green Road Corridors provide a concrete framework for implementation and an anchor for investment and planning. They enable the development of fully zero-emission freight routes (ports, highways, hubs) supported by renewable energy, and deliver economic, environmental, and public health benefits.

Throughout CEM, we also highlighted that ZE-MHDVs are becoming increasingly advanced, affordable, available, and adopted. Next, Drive to Zero turns to Climate Week NYC and COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where we will continue to guide policymakers and other key stakeholders on the policy, infrastructure, and financial mechanisms that are required to transition to ZE-MDHVs and maximize their economic, environmental, and social benefits.

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

Special Features

Windrose Technology Among Global MOU’s 14 New Endorsers

Windrose Technology, a global EV-only OEM with headquarters in Belgium and roots in China, has also just endorsed the Global MOU. Windrose recently made international headlines when it launched the first-ever all-electric long-haul sleeper truck in the United States. This zero-emission EV truck has a 420-mile range and will be commercially deployed in the United States during the April 2025 announcement.

Welcome to Our New Global MOU Endorsers!

Korea Electric Vehicle Association

Windrose Technology INC

Upcoming Events

In the Spotlight: Europe’s Green Corridor Initiative

Through our action accelerator events, the Global Green Road Corridors Initiative spotlights the development of green freight corridors around the world. Next up: At 8:30 am EDT / 12:30 pm UTC / 2:30 pm CEST on September 8, we’ll learn about the European Corridor to Zero, led by AVERE Ukraine, EV Consult and GNerdiX. The corridor which covers two major routes across the region:

Route 1 “Latitude” Western Europe – Ukraine (Rotterdam – Kyiv) (2,127 km / 1,321 mi)
Route 2 “Longitude” North Baltic – Balkans (Helsinki – Ljubljiana (2,105 km / 1,307 mi)

In addition to decarbonizing heavy transport, AVERE Ukraine is focused on supporting Ukraine’s rebuilding and recovery efforts, including building the infrastructure it needs to fully participate in the EU’s clean transportation transition. If you haven’t yet, we invite you to watch our action accelerator events on the I-95 corridor (U.S.) and the North Africa Corridor.

Mark Your Calendars: Global MOU Forum 2026!

The Global MOU Forum 2026 (formerly the Global MOU Summit) will take place from September 8 – 10 in Santiago, Chile. It’s never too early to register and get more information about our first community-wide gathering in Latin America! Speakers, activities, and sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon! This event is limited to members of the Global MOU community only. Not a member? Become one today by endorsing the Global MOU!

Supporting Policymakers at Africa E-Mobility Week

At Africa E-Mobility Week from October 14-16, Drive to Zero, UC Davis, AfEMA, UNEP and other partners will provide in-depth support to policymakers at the “Supply-Side Regulation Lab.” In addition to providing technical assistance to Global MOU countries, we will support policymakers in developing regulatory implementation plan outlines and modeling the economic and health benefits of their country’s clean transportation goals.

To learn more or request an invitation to this invitation-only program, please contact lisa.amenya@africaema.org

Request Invitation

Resources

ZET Talk — From Subsidies to Derisking: Doing More with Less

Presenter: Juliet Flamank, Programme Director, Green Finance Institute

As governments aim to save money and reduce public spending, UK-based Green Finance Institute is spearheading three financial products that can serve as alternatives to subsidies: 1) Residual Value Guarantees (RVS), developed in partnership with CALSTART, 2) Green Transition Fund (GTF), and 3) Battery Investment Facility (BIF).

Tracking Clean Transportation in the Netherlands

Want to learn more about the Netherland’s leading edge clean transportation progress? Check out the Electric Transport Dashboard. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency updates the dashboard monthly with the country’s latest clean transportation data, including new ZE-MHDV deployments and charging infrastructure installations. Sign up to receive these monthly updates here. One of our new favorite stats, courtesy of ICCT: Sales of light and medium zero-emission trucks in The Netherlands grew from 7% in Q1 2024 to 80% in Q1 2025. Talk about driving progress!

Charging Up Change

Charging Up Change shares powerful success stories from the drive to zero. They highlight how countries, companies, and organizations are innovating and collaborating to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks and buses.

Have a success story you’d like us to share? Contact us at info@globaldrivetozero.org.

Korea Electric Vehicle Association (KEVA) backs ambitious global effort to advance zero-emission trucks & buses

Zero-emission trucks deliver the juice—but not the pollution—to innocent drinks’ zero-emission factory in the Netherlands

Partnership is leadership: electrifying U.K. freight

Trash to treasure—massive zero-emission refuse fleet conversion in Ghana to deliver $300+ million in savings plus healthier, cleaner air

Santiago’s global leadership in e-bus adoption