Drive to Zero Newsletter – March 2026

Global MOU signatory countries are putting their transition to zero-emission trucks and buses into high gear with ambitious policy and regulatory actions. Zero-emission zones established by former Global MOU co-lead the Netherlands helped achieve 86% zero emission van sales last year. Global MOU signatory Mozambique’s first Bus Rapid Transit System will feature electric buses. And, fellow signatory Ireland just launched the Zero-Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme, offering up to €500,000 annually to help companies purchase electric trucks and buses.

Photo Credit: DFDS

And right now, all eyes are on Global MOU signatory the United Kingdom as it kicks off a major consultation to create a regulatory framework to achieve 100% zero-emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) by 2040. As part of this consultation, Drive to Zero and our Global MOU community in the UK support the government’s move to:

  • Create market certainty by establishing a manufacturer-based ZEV mandate requiring all new HGVs <26 tonnes be zero emitting by 2035 and >26 tonnes by 2040.

  • A complementary measure for large shippers to procure an increasing share of zero-emission HGVs. This demand-side measure would support the transition by providing early demand certainty, and help hauliers pass through higher upfront costs during the early phases of the mandate.

  • A complementary CO2 standard for non-ZE HGV vehicles to ensure that the UK secures the most up-to-date and efficient ICE models during the transition period.

Many UK innovators are bullish on keeping the momentum going as the country transitions to ZE-MHDVs. With support from the UK’s Zero Emission HGV & Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme, major logistics company and Global MOU endorser DFDS purchased eight battery electric trucks and installed complementary charging stations throughout its service territory (read more about DFDS here in our Charging Up Change case study). Fellow UK endorser GRIDSERVE is building the country’s first charging network for battery electric HGVs. Called the Electric Freightway, the network will consist of 200 chargers and have the ability to service around 140 eHGVs. In the coming weeks, we will bring you more stories of UK innovators that are leading the drive to zero. Follow us on LinkedIn to read their stories.

Photo Credit: GRIDSERVE

Photo Credit: GRIDSERVE

As the global director of CALSTART and the Global Drive to Zero program, I feel a responsibility to share the leadership stories of the countries, subnational governments, and companies that power our Global MOU network, driving the commercial vehicle ecosystem to zero worldwide. The leading-edge actions they take inspire us to follow their lead, grow our ambitions, and collaborate more fully. This reverberation effect is how we achieve our shared goal of changing transportation for good.

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

Special Features

Media Statement: Keep Europe’s Clean Truck Targets on Track

Under current EU regulation, manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles must reduce their carbon emissions by 15% by 2025, 45% by 2030, and 90% by 2040 compared to 2019 levels. However, earlier this month, EU Parliament voted to provide truck manufacturers with additional flexibility for the 2025–2029 period, making targets significantly easier to meet in the short term. Prior to the vote, CALSTART’s Drive to Zero issued a media statement calling for 1) maintaining the long-term CO₂ targets—a 45% reduction by 2030 and 90% by 2040—and 2) keeping the planned review in 2027 and avoid bringing it forward, because weakening the targets could slow the rollout of zero-emission trucks. Investment and deployment of zero-emission trucks and infrastructure has been strong in the EU. A stable policy framework provides a clear market signal, helps Europe stay competitive, and accelerates the transition to clean heavy-duty transport.

Read the full statement

🎥 Global MOU Community Perspectives: Zeem Solutions

Global MOU endorser Zeem Solutions is a leader in providing shared charging solutions for U.S. airports and seaports, with two installations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and others on the way in Chicago, IL, Long Beach, CA and SeaTac, WA. On a recent call with Global MOU signatories and endorsers, Zeem Policy Analyst Margaret Boelter shared her policy recommendations for expanding fleet electrification. Her recommendations included shared charging, vehicle incentives, low carbon fuel standards, favorable rate design and utility partnerships, and infrastructure incentives.

Watch Presentation

Upcoming Events

📢 NEW DATE: Greening the U.S. 1-10 Corridor

The Global Green Road Corridor action accelerator event spotlighting the U.S. 1-10 Corridor has been moved to Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd at 7:30 am PDT/2:30 pm UTC. The U.S. 1-10—which runs from Los Angeles, California to El Paso, Texas—is one of the largest and most strategically important trade routes in the United States. Join on April 22nd to learn how Smart Freight Centre and Terawatt Infrastructure are working with major companies such as PepsiCo and Microsoft to also turn it into one of the greenest corridors in the world!

If you have already registered for this event, there is no need to register again. Your calendar invite will update automatically.

Register Here

🌎 2026 Global MOU Forum in Chile—Register Today!

Global MOU signatories and endorsers accelerating the global zero-emission truck and bus segment are invited to gather at Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile on September 8-10. This year’s forum will feature three full-days of activities focused on strategic knowledge exchange, targeted networking, site visits (details coming soon!), and a zero-emission vehicle showcase. Our interactive workshops will feature the world’s top zero-emission truck and bus experts, academics, and innovators focused on policy and EV availability standards, infrastructure planning, global green road corridors, and more.

Register Today!

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.

Top Headlines

Fleet Deployments

Manufacturers and Models: Trucks and Buses

Government Policies

Financial Incentives

Fuels and Infrastructure