Global innovators step up to back transformative freight effort

Fourteen new global innovators from Belgium, Brazil, Germany, India, the UK, the US and more are joining hundreds of companies and subnational governments as well as 40 national governments in backing the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU). The effort calls for 100% new zero-emission truck sales by 2040 and at least 30% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2030. Global MOU endorsers represent more than $1.3 trillion in annual revenues. 

This announcement about the growing MOU community is being made publicly at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM16/MI-10) August 25, 2025 at the Accelerating Decarbonization: Transforming Energy and Transport Systems Globally event. The session will focus on how the transport and energy sectors can work together to scale up implementation of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (ZE-MHDVs).

Windrose, a global EV-only OEM with headquarters in Belgium and roots in China, is among the new endorsers of the Global MOU.

“We are fully supportive of this initiative, because we have demonstrated that electric trucks can finally offer the range, payload, and total cost of ownership that our customers want. Further, we have deployed our global truck platform on five continents including Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania, and demonstrated charging interoperability with 300+ public and private chargers,” said Wen Han, founder and CEO of Windrose Technology.

Launched at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, the Global MOU is co-led by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero and the Government of Colombia.

“Zero-emission trucks, buses, and infrastructure are critical to ensuring economic and energy security, supporting industry competitiveness, growing well-paying jobs, and achieving global climate and clean air goals,” Stephanie Kodish, Senior Global Director of CALSTART’s Drive to Zero. “Our innovative new endorsers champion the value of zero-emission freight because they build, use, and manage these vehicles everyday. They are changing transportation for good.”  

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, Wen Han, founder, chairman, and CEO of Windrose was publicly quoted as noting: 

“This isn’t just a prototype or promise—this is a fully operational, long-range electric truck that’s ready to haul freight today. We’ve validated our technology globally and are proud to bring it to the U.S.—one of the most important logistics markets in the world.”

The Korea Electric Vehicle Association is also being welcomed as a new endorser at CEM.

“KEVA is the first organization in the Republic of Korea to endorse the Global MOU. We thank KEVA for its leadership and its commitment to working with the public and private sector innovators that are collaboratively accelerating the shift to sustainable freight,” said Kodish. 

“South Korea has committed to convert 100 percent of public transit buses to zero-emission by 2030. The government is investing heavily in hydrogen and electric charging infrastructure, with national roadmaps targeting more than 500 hydrogen refueling stations and tens of thousands of EV chargers by the end of the decade. We look forward to learning from and collaborating with our new partners at KEVA and hope to gain new partners in Korea.”

Drive to Zero is announcing more than a dozen new endorsers to the Global MOU community at CEM (the full list of 250+ endorsers are on the Drive to Zero website):

• Arrow Mobility
• Astranova Mobility Private Limited
• Eco Route Advisory 
• Electrolink Chargers Colombia S.A.S E.S.P 
• EOX Tractors 
• Greenlane Infrastructure
• Horizon Motor, Inc. 
• KEVA
• Schotpoort Transport Groep 
• Sennder 
• Sycada 
• Turquoise International Limited 
• U Power 
• Windrose

Upon endorsing the Global MOU, Marceline Overduin, Founder of Eco Route Advisory noted, “An emission free supply chain is as essential to the planet as the goods they transport are to our way of life. Drive to Zero is delivering the mechanism needed to accelerate this vital transition by coupling deliberate innovation with actionable policies. Eco Route Advisory is proud to be a supporter of the Drive to Zero coalition by developing data-driven decision-making tools designed to help fleet operators decarbonise with confidence.”

Michael Bueltmann, Head of External Affairs of ABB E-mobility, a current endorser of the Global MOU had this to say, “Zero-emission transport is both an environmental imperative and an economic opportunity, touching every part of society – from addressing climate change to strengthening long-term competitiveness. At ABB E-mobility, our mission is to make sustainable transport accessible, reliable, and efficient. Through this MOU, we’re joining forces to turn that vision into reality.”

Christoph Heidt with the Institut für Energie und Umweltforschung Heidelberg gGmbH—a longtime endorser of the Global MOU adds, “We are convinced that zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are needed to meet the climate targets of the Paris Agreement. Electric drives are the most efficient way of using renewable electricity and are already practicable in many areas today.”

 The Charging Up Change series is brought to you by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. Companies and subnational governments looking to accelerate innovation, grow jobs as well as economic and energy security are invited to endorse the Global MOU today!

Read more about the real people and companies who are “Charging Up Change” here.

Shipping and logistics company DFDS is charging up change with near-zero-emission deliveries throughout the United Kingdom, one of forty countries that have signed the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU) to achieve 100% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2040. DFDS is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal that dovetails with the Global MOU.

In 2024, DFDS joined the UK’s Zero Emission HGV & Infrastructure Demonstrator ZEHID Programme, a massive £200 million initiative to accelerate the deployment of near-zero emission trucks and buses. Through this initiative, DFDS secured funding to purchase and deploy eight Volvo FM Battery Electric trucks with 4×2 tractors. Equipped with 540kWh batteries, these trucks can travel up to 300 kilometers on a single charge and achieve 490 kW of continuous power, the equivalent of 666 horsepower.

As part of the project’s next phase, DFDS will install seven new charging stations, each strategically located and designed to maximize the new trucks’ delivery territory. As of May 2025, three of the charging stations – Sandhills, Grimsby and Simonswood – have been installed. The others – Ballymena, Shetland, Killingholme, and Peterborough – will be completed by the end of the year. In total, there will be 22 charging outlets across the seven charging stations. Most chargers will have a charging speed of 2.5 hours with DC charging.

Beyond serving as a powerful example of charging up change, this public-private partnership offers key lessons that will inform the UK’s transition to ZE-MHDVs and ability to achieve its zero-emission truck and bus sales targets. Among the positive findings: DFDS’ new trucks are experiencing greater mileages and lower kWh/mile averages than was simulated. As a result, the company is  re-evaluating its approach toward permissible transport runs and on-road charging infrastructure requirements.

The automotive, logistics, and charging industries support the UK’s transition to ZE-MHDVs. In February 2025, more than 20 companies and organizations – including Siemens, Maersk, and Heathrow Airport – asked Transportation Secretary Heidi Alexander MP and other key policymakers for regulation to decarbonize the HGVs and buses in the U.K. The country’s existing regulations include requiring all HGVs up to 26 tonnes to be zero-emission by 2025 and heavier HGVs to do the same by 2040. The country also offers a Plug-In Truck Grant program.

As reflected in the automotive, logistics and charging industries’ call for more regulation in the UK, a  growing number of businesses around the world now recognize the “quadruple A” proposition of zero-emission trucks and buses: They are Advanced, Affordable, Available and Adopted:

• Advanced: ZE-MDHVs on the market are state-of-the-art. They are designed to reduce pollution, fuel costs, and vulnerability to global shocks such as extreme weather events, energy price spikes, and major power outages. They are operationally superior to diesel trucks and buses offering a smoother and quieter ride as well as advanced safety features, and lower fuel and maintenance costs.   
• Affordable: By 2030-2035, the vast majority of ZE-MHDVs will be cheaper to own and operate than traditional MDHV models. 
• Available: Today, there are nearly 960 ZE-MHDV models on the market globally, a nearly 50% increase from 2021 when 570 models were available . In the Netherlands, model availability of zero-emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicles rose from 51 models in 2021 to 92 models in 2025. To see how other countries are growing their zero-emission model availability, explore Drive to Zero’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) Data Explorer.
• Adopted: In 2024, more than 250,000 ZE-MHDVs were sold around the world.

To learn more about the UK’s partnership with DFDS, please check out the Charging Up Change spotlight, Partnership is Leadership: Electrifying U.K. Freight, on the Drive to Zero website.

Home to world-class manufacturing & public transit, cutting edge tech—why Korea is a country to watch in the drive to zero

DAEJEON, South Korea—With a GDP of $1.71+ trillion, a tech-savvy population, and an enviable public transit system, the Republic of Korea is well-positioned to lead in the global drive to zero. An innovative manufacturer of automobiles, electronics, telecommunications, steel, and more, the country’s manufacturing output is among the world’s highest.

Taking yet another step toward global leadership, KEVA, the Korea Electric Vehicle Association, has just signed the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU). KEVA, affiliated with the country’s Ministry of Environment, counts domestic and foreign electric vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers, electric vehicle charger manufacturers and services, and electric vehicle-related parts manufacturers as member companies. Members include prominent global companies like Hyundai, Samsung, LG, and SK, among others.

Co-led by the Government of Colombia and CALSTART’s Drive to Zero with the goal of advancing zero-emission freight, the Global MOU calls for 100% new zero-emission truck sales by 2040 and at least 30% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2030. Currently there are 40 national signatories and more than 250 subnational government and private sector innovators in the Global MOU community. Global MOU countries represent one-in-five trucks globally. Endorsing companies, organizations, and subnational governments represent more than $1.3 trillion in annual revenues.

Minha Lee, a representative of KEVA notes the importance of global cooperation and coordination in order to decarbonize global freight, “As a member of the global community, I would like to participate in cooperation with global companies and related organizations and participate as a member of various programs.” Lee also recognizes the importance of prioritizing the decarbonization of trucks and buses in particular saying, “Since the carbon dioxide emission from buses and trucks is large and has a public nature, I think it is necessary to supply eco-friendly electric vehicles to buses and medium and large trucks first.”

“KEVA is the first organization in the Republic of Korea to endorse the Global MOU. We thank KEVA for its leadership and its commitment to working with the public and private sector innovators that are collaboratively accelerating the shift to sustainable freight,” said Kodish.

“South Korea has committed to convert 100 percent of public transit buses to zero-emission by 2030. The government is investing heavily in hydrogen and electric charging infrastructure, with national roadmaps targeting more than 500 hydrogen refueling stations and tens of thousands of EV chargers by the end of the decade. We look forward to learning from and collaborating with our new partners at KEVA and hope to gain new partners in Korea.

Kodish, and global transportation leaders including national ministers are gathering in Busan in August of 2025 for the Clean Energy Ministerial 16 and Mission Innovation Innovation 10 meeting (CEM16/MI-10). This year, CEM16/MI-10 will be conducted in conjunction with the APEC Energy Ministerial meeting and World Climate Industry Expo in Korea.

CALSTART’s Drive to Zero in partnership with the Electric Vehicle Initiative and the Clean Energy Ministerial, International Energy Agency, International Transport Forum, International Solar Alliance and Rocky Mountain Institute is leading a high-level panel “Accelerating Decarbonization: Transforming Energy and Transport Systems Globally.” The event will feature Mr. Junhong Park, Director of The National Institute of Environmental Research for the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Environment as well as experts from the International Energy Agency, International Transport Forum, International Solar Alliance, Windrose Technology, and Rocky Mountain Institute. Learn more here.

The accelerating zero-emission truck and bus industry in Korea represents a growing global trend as businesses around the world now recognize the “quadruple A” proposition of zero-emission trucks and buses: They are Advanced, Affordable, Available and Adopted:

• Advanced: ZE-MDHVs on the market are state-of-the-art. They are designed to reduce pollution, fuel costs, and vulnerability to global shocks such as extreme weather events, energy price spikes, and major power outages. They are operationally superior to diesel trucks and buses offering a smoother and quieter ride as well as advanced safety features, and lower fuel and maintenance costs.
• Affordable: By 2030-2035, the vast majority of ZE-MHDVs will be cheaper to own and operate than traditional MDHV models.
• Available: Today, there are nearly 960 ZE-MHDV models on the market globally, a nearly 50% increase from 2021 when 570 models were available. To see how countries are growing their zero-emission model availability, explore Drive to Zero’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) Data Explorer.
• Adopted: In 2024, more than 250,000 ZE-MHDVs were sold around the world, with China responsible for the lion’s share (230,000+) followed by the U.S. (22,000+ ZETs).

Charging Up Change features the stories of the people and companies that are changing global transportation for good. The series is brought to you by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. Drive to Zero, in partnership with the government of Colombia, co-leads an ambitious community of 40 countries and more than 250 private sector and subnational endorsers that support reaching 100% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by the year 2040. Companies and subnational governments looking to accelerate innovation, grow jobs as well as economic and energy security are invited to endorse the Global MOU today!

Read more about the real people and companies who are “Charging Up Change” here.

Zeronox and the Jospong Group are partnering to complete the world’s largest fleet retrofit electrification project. They are transforming 1,000 internal combustion engine (ICE) refuse trucks in Ghana into zero-emission vehicles using the Zeronox Electric Powertrain Platform (ZEPP). The transformation is expected to deliver ~$20 million in annual maintenance savings and ~$40 million in annual fuel  savings as well as massive carbon reductions of over 400,000 metric tons of CO₂ abated over five years. The payback period for retrofitting the trucks is expected to be under three years. With an initial pilot phase complete, the project is now entering mass deployment. 

This groundbreaking initiative highlights the viability of electrification in emerging markets and sets a model for scalable, sustainable fleet transformation in Africa and beyond. By the numbers, this deployment includes:

• 1,000 Class 8 swing arm skip trucks, single axle compactor trucks, dual axle compactor trucks
• 100 – 240 km daily routes
• 2.5 – 5 hours of daily charging on 120 kW dual-gun DC EVSE

In 2025, the project will hit two important milestones: 5,000+ km logged driving and the commencement of mass production. Additionally, 600 mechanics will be upskilled to EV technicians to serve these new advanced vehicles. 

Location is playing a critical role in the success of this project. As a signatory to the  Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU), Ghana backs 100% new zero-emission truck sales by 2040 and at least 30% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2030. Currently there are 40 national signatories and more than 250 subnational government and private sector innovators in the Global MOU community. 

Ghana is also implementing a broader energy transition plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 with a strong focus on decarbonizing the transportation sector. In support of this goal, the country is working toward adopting 1,500 electric buses by 2030. In addition, some Ghanaian cities—like Kumasi—are developing net-zero transport plans.

A growing number of governments and businesses around the world now recognize the “quadruple A” proposition of zero-emission trucks and buses: They are Advanced, Affordable, Available and Adopted:

• Advanced: ZE-MDHVs on the market are state-of-the-art. They are designed to reduce pollution, fuel costs, and vulnerability to global shocks such as extreme weather events, energy price spikes, and major power outages. They are operationally superior to diesel trucks and buses offering a smoother and quieter ride as well as advanced safety features, and lower fuel and maintenance costs.   
• Affordable: By 2030-2035, the vast majority of ZE-MHDVs will be cheaper to own and operate than traditional MDHV models. 
• Available: Today, there are nearly 960 ZE-MHDV models on the market globally, a nearly 50% increase from 2021 when 570 models were available (958 models are now available globally). To see how countries around the world are growing their zero-emission model availability, explore Drive to Zero’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) Data Explorer.
• Adopted: In 2024, more than 250,000 ZE-MHDVs were sold around the world, with China responsible for the lion’s share (230,000+) followed by the U.S. (22,000+ ZETs).

Charging Up Change features the stories of the people and companies that are changing global transportation for good. The series is brought to you by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. Drive to Zero, in partnership with the government of Colombia, co-leads an ambitious community of 40 countries and more than 250 private sector and subnational endorsers that support reaching 100% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by the year 2040. Companies and subnational governments looking to accelerate innovation, grow jobs as well as economic and energy security are invited to endorse the Global MOU today!

To learn more about the real people and companies who are “Charging Up Change” visit the drive to zero website.

Want to see this story “by the numbers?” Read the Charging Up Change case study here.

SANTIAGO — Chile is leading a major shift toward zero-emission public transport in Latin America, with Santiago at the center of this transformation. At the time of this writing, Santiago is home to the largest electric bus fleet outside of China. Reflecting its commitment to sustainable urban mobility, by March 2026, 68 percent of the bus fleet is projected to be electrified. By then, the total fleet of e-buses will reach more than 4,400 buses, thanks to the planned addition of 1,800 new electric buses. 

This initiative is part of a national commitment to decarbonize transport and improve air quality benefiting nearly 6 million users with measurable reductions in emissions, noise, and fuel consumption. Electric buses also demonstrate significant economic advantages, with maintenance costs estimated to be 44% lower than those of diesel buses. Additionally, in terms of energy performance, electric buses are at least 65% cheaper per kilometer traveled, highlighting their superior cost-efficiency in daily operations.

The Santiago transition is supported by ZEBRA, a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the transition to zero-emission bus fleets in cities across Latin America. ZEBRA is co-led by C40 Cities and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). A critical partner in this project is the Centro de Movilidad Sostenible (CMS), an endorser of the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU). CMS creates electromobility strategies, provides technical assistance, develops bidding guidelines for electric vehicles, evaluates electrification potential of individual fleets, creates recommendations for training/design/implementation of ZE buses, and much more.

With a strong focus on charging, the Santiago transition also includes the development of 29 electroterminals. And, in the coming months, the number of electroterminals in Greater Santiago is expected to increase by 93%, growing from 29 to 56 facilities. The project will also include modernization of service standards with improvements in accessibility and safety, and a significant decrease in the average fleet age. 

The momentum of this project extends to nearby small and medium-sized cities, marking a milestone in sustainable urban mobility across Chile. According to the Long-Term Climate Strategy (ECLP), two key targets guide Chile’s decarbonization of public transport: from 2035 onward, all new public transport vehicles must be zero-emission—a goal that Santiago has already achieved—and by 2040, the entire national public bus fleet is expected to be fully electric. These goals dovetail with Chile’s status as a signatory to the Global MOU, which calls for 100% new zero-emission truck sales by 2040 and at least 30% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2030. Currently there are 40 national signatories and more than 250 subnational government and private sector innovators in the Global MOU community. Want to learn more about Chile’s e-bus leadership? Read our Charging Up Change case study.

A growing number of national and subnational governments as well as public fleets around the world now recognize the “quadruple A” proposition of zero-emission buses: They are Advanced, Affordable, Available and Adopted. These qualities make zero-emission buses the ideal choice for transit fleets looking to serve their customers and their communities. The “quadruple A” proposition means zero-emission buses (and trucks!) are:

• Advanced: Zero-emission buses on the market are state-of-the-art. They are designed to reduce pollution, fuel costs, and vulnerability to global shocks such as extreme weather events, energy price spikes, and major power outages. They are operationally superior to diesel buses offering a smoother and quieter ride as well as advanced safety features, and lower fuel and maintenance costs.   
• Affordable: By 2030-2035, the vast majority of ZE-MHDVs will be cheaper to own and operate than traditional MDHV models. 
• Available: Today, there are nearly 960 ZE-MHDV models on the market globally, a nearly 50% increase from 2021 when 570 models were available (958 models are now available globally). To see how various countries are growing their zero-emission model availability, explore Drive to Zero’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) Data Explorer.
• Adopted: In 2024, more than 250,000 ZE-MHDVs were sold around the world, with China responsible for the lion’s share (230,000+) followed by the U.S. (22,000+ ZETs). 

Charging Up Change features the stories of the people and companies that are changing global transportation for good. The series is brought to you by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. Companies and subnational governments looking to accelerate innovation, grow jobs as well as economic and energy security are invited to endorse the Global MOU today!

Read more about the real people and companies who are “Charging Up Change” here.

ROTTERDAM—Demonstrating that a formerly small startup powered by mighty business innovators can make transformative impacts, innocent drinks now operates four (and at times five!) 50T electric trucks that haul juice products to innocent’s “Blender” factory.

The juice and smoothie company started its drive to zero journey in 2019 with a vision for a carbon-neutral factory and zero-emission supply chain. After much planning and with the support of e-truck transport company BREYTNER, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water, Brazilian juice company Cutrale, powertrain innovator EMOSS, and the Port of Rotterdam, 99 percent of orange juice runs between the port and innocent’s Blender factor are now zero-emissions. The trucks make three 90km round trips daily. Daily, innocent drinks demonstrates that zero-emission trucks are not only advanced, they are affordable, available, and adoptable.

“The world’s bigger than just our little drinks factory. We want to be better for people, the planet, and business across the whole supply chain. That’s why we teamed up with brilliant partners like BREYTNER, EMOSS, and Cutrale to swap diesel for electric and deliver our juice with zero emissions. These trucks don’t slurp diesel, they quietly charge while unloading orange juice at our Blender. It’s a double win: better for the planet and better for our business,” said Ada Simonaityte, Senior Logistics Buyer at innocent drinks.

“To make a success of this new zero-emission supply chain it is imperative that parties work together with commitment and an innovative view. We consider this project a partnership and share knowledge with all parties involved and even beyond, in order to make a positive impact and inspire other companies to follow innocent’s lead,” said Marie-José Baartmans, Managing Director of BREYTNER.

Want to know more about this zero-emission transformation? Check out this Charging Up Change case study.

Next up, according to BREYTNER, the juice and smoothie company will expand its e-fleet with new Mercedes Benz E600 trucks to ship ingredients to the factory. Those additional trucks will start running in the beginning of September 2025.

Key solutions to making this zero-emission juice hauling dream a reality include:

• Eliminating unneeded components from the truck and using light-weight materials
• Right-sizing batteries to maximize payload
• Optimizing loading bays by making them self-service
• Fast-charging trucks during the 30-minute unloading period
• Cutting transport distances by housing the Blender Factory in the Port of Rotterdam
• Working with innovative and creative partners!

Location is also playing a critical role in the success of innocent drinks’ high-tech fleet. The Netherlands—recognized as a global leader in zero-emission freight—sends local businesses clear market signals through ambitious policies, incentives, and dense charging infrastructure:

• The Netherlands is currently a signatory and formerly country co-lead of the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium-and Heavy-Duty Vehicles(Global MOU), which calls for 100% new zero-emission truck sales by 2040 and at least 30% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2030. Currently there are 40 national signatories and more than 250 subnational government and private sector innovators in the Global MOU community.
• The Dutch government offers multiple incentives to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks through a purchasing subsidy for zero-emission trucks, a subsidy for hydrogen in mobility (both for purchase subsidies and refuelling infrastructure), a subsidy for private charging infrastructure, and a subsidy for public charging infrastructure. Part of these subsidies is financed through future net proceeds from a truck toll that is expected mid 2026 (with an 80% discount for ZE-trucks). Electric vehicle exemptions from registration fees and road taxes improve the business case for zero-emission trucks and buses.
• Zero-Emission Zones in Dutch cities encourage ambitious fleet turnover.
• The Netherlands has a high density of public charging points and initiatives to expand the network.

As a result of this critical policy, incentive, and infrastructure work, the Netherlands was the major driving force behind a big jump in EV truck purchases in the European Union in Q1 of 2025. According to the ACEA, EV truck registrations grew by 50.6% in Europe during that time with the Netherlands leading this expansion with a 342.7% growth.

A growing number of businesses around the world now recognize the “quadruple A” proposition of zero-emission trucks and buses: They are Advanced, Affordable, Available and Adopted:

• Advanced: ZE-MDHVs on the market are state-of-the-art. They are designed to reduce pollution, fuel costs, and vulnerability to global shocks such as extreme weather events, energy price spikes, and major power outages. They are operationally superior to diesel trucks and buses offering a smoother and quieter ride as well as advanced safety features, and lower fuel and maintenance costs.
• Affordable: By 2030-2035, the vast majority of ZE-MHDVs will be cheaper to own and operate than traditional MDHV models.
• Available: Today, there are nearly 960 ZE-MHDV models on the market globally, a nearly 50% increase from 2021 when 570 models were available (958 models are now available globally). In the Netherlands, model availability of zero-emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicles rose from 51 models in 2021 to 92 models in 2025. To see how other countries are growing their zero-emission model availability, explore Drive to Zero’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI)Data Explorer.
• Adopted: In 2024, more than 250,000 ZE-MHDVs were sold around the world, with China responsible for the lion’s share (230,000+) followed by the U.S. (22,000+ ZETs).

Charging Up Change features the stories of the people and companies that are changing global transportation for good. The series is brought to you by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. Drive to Zero, in partnership with the government of Colombia, co-leads an ambitious community of 40 countries and more than 250 private sector and subnational endorsers (to date) that support reaching 100% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by the year 2040. Companies and subnational governments looking to accelerate innovation, grow jobs as well as economic and energy security are invited to endorse the Global MOU today!

Read more about the real people and companies who are “Charging Up Change” here.

São Paulo, Brazil, the fifth largest city in the world and a destination for millions of travelers every year, is known for being both a global business hub and culture-rich metropolis. But with its booming population and commerce comes a challenge felt across the country of Brazil: harmful air pollution caused by diesel-powered commercial transportation.

The good news is that the very people who bear the brunt of this crisis are also the ones doing something to address it. In this episode, you’ll hear stories of progress from Brazilians across the transportation ecosystem, including utility provider employees, nonprofit leaders, and a municipal government representative. As you listen to their stories, you’ll note a common theme: There have been critical advancements in the electrification of trucks and buses in and around São Paulo, and policymakers play a crucial role in accelerating this transition. By aligning policy with science, technology, and industry leadership, they can ensure Brazil will lead the Global South in the sustainable transportation movement.

India is the rising economic powerhouse of the Global South, but the nation is grappling with a worsening problem that impacts health, the environment, and the economy: air pollution. Diesel trucks are the most significant contributor; they comprise less than 2% of vehicles in India, but they produce 71% of CO2 emissions, 74% of dangerous PM 2.5 emissions, and 55% of the NOx emissions from on-road vehicles.

Fortunately, commercial vehicle decarbonization has become a top priority for stakeholders across India’s transport ecosystem. In this video, we’re introduced to UltraTech, the country’s largest cement producer, which has recently begun electrifying its fleet. We also hear from NITI Aayog, a policy think tank of the Government of India, which believes regulations and partnership will accelerate the shift to electric vehicles. Watch to learn how India is charging up for change.