Cape Verde, Colombia, Ghana, Iceland, Israel, Papua New Guinea join growing number of countries committed to reaching 100% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2040

DUBAI — An urgent call to action from COP28: governments, private sector leaders, and climate experts say stronger ambitions and policies to lessen global climate impacts from diesel-polluting trucks and buses are needed now. In answer to this urgent need, today Cape Verde, Colombia, Ghana, Iceland, Israel, Papua New Guinea joined a growing group of countries committing to ambitious zero-emission transport goals.

“The signal being sent by these new counties is clear: zero-emission commercial vehicles are viable and a great strategy to not only cut climate pollution but also improve public health and reduce costly oil imports. We welcome these new nations into the Global MOU community where they can learn about best practices and accelerate the movement to a better and healthier future,” said John Boesel, CEO of clean transportation accelerator CALSTART.

These countries, along with 27 previously announced countries, are now signatories to the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU) (see the full list of Global MOU countries here). Led by CALSTART and the Netherlands, the Global MOU calls for 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. Global MOU countries now represent roughly 21 percent of the MHDV sales market globally. CALSTART’s Global Commercial Vehicle Drive to Zero (Drive to ZeroTM) and the government of the Netherlands announced the new signatory countries today at a high-level COP28 event.

“With freight transport on the African continent due to double before 2050, we need to seek global collaboration to ensure this growth is sustainable. Governments must encourage and support the private sector with the right mix of policy and regulatory actions to ensure we reach our climate objectives over the next decade. Ghana is proud to be amongst the first African nations to join this global Initiative and ready to work with industry players to make the transition possible,” said the Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister for Transport, Republic of Ghana.

“The world recognizes that transport emissions must be significantly reduced during this critical decade in order to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Today at COP28, Israel announced it would be joining the Global MOU, a noteworthy initiative for increasing international cooperation for promoting sustainable transport,” said Minister Miri Regev and Minister Idit Silman from Israel’s Ministries of Transport and Environmental Protection. “We are already on track with the successful deployment of zero-emission buses for public transportation and trucks are next in line. Sharing experience and expertise with other countries will be beneficial, as we prepare for including new requirements for heavy vehicle fleets in our climate and air pollution mitigation policies and regulations. Tackling transport and environmental protection issues together is a win-win situation on the pathway to achieving net zero emissions for a low-carbon economy.”

“Decarbonizing MHDVs is crucial in meeting Iceland’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality and become independent of fossil fuels by 2040. The challenge is complex but with tangible solutions. Collaboration in accelerating the transition supports us in our journey towards a complete energy transition by 2040,” said Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Infrastructure for Iceland.

“Papua New Guinea stands at the beginning of its journey towards zero-emission transport. At this moment, we have zero-emission buses, and by joining the Global MOU community we hope to accelerate our transition. Papua New Guinea recognizes the need for collaboration to scale up, as it is essential for us to upscale the renewables needed for the transition to zero-emission transport and a zero-emission fleet in Papua New Guinea. The Global MOU community will provide us with the opportunity to collaborate with other islands and exchange knowledge with other countries,” said the Hon. Simo Kilepa, Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change for Papua New Guinea.

“If we want emissions of transport to be aligned with the Paris Agreement, we need clear ambitions. That is why we initiated the Global MOU on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles together with CALSTART at COP26. I am very happy to see that our global community keeps growing and really proud that we can welcome emerging economies as well, as this transition needs to be just and global,” said Vivianne Heijnen, Minister for the Environment, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands.

In order to further accelerate the global transition to zero-emission transport, this week CALSTART presented multiple knowledge products aimed at spotlighting the most innovative global ZE-MHDV policies around the world and providing recommendations for governmental and other stakeholder action in 2024 (Global Progress Toward Decarbonizing Transportation: Multi-Country Action Plan 2023 Update); accelerating finance for ZE-MHDVs in Latin America and the Caribbean (Expanding Access to Financing for Zero-Emission Trucks in Latin America and the Caribbean / Ampliando el acceso a financiamiento para camiones de cero emisiones en América Latina y el Caribe); and accelerating infrastructure needed for ZE-MHDVs (Locking in Commercial Vehicle Charging Infrastructure). Drive to Zero also kicked off a new video series, Charging Up Change, focused on telling the stories of the people around the world who are changing transportation for good.

“We need strong and ambitious policy levers at all levels of government that grow the zero-emission truck and bus sector. These vehicles deliver environmental, economic, operational, and health benefits while replacing the dependency on fossil fuels—all of which we need now,” said Stephanie Kodish, CALSTART’s Global Senior Director and head of its Drive to Zero program and campaign. “Global MOU countries have reached a tipping point—they now represent a substantial share of the market to significantly influence this sector and our global transport future. And that is what we must do.”

In addition to Global MOU countries, more than 110 subnational governments and private sector innovators have signed formal acknowledgements endorsing the Global MOU. New endorsers announced today include 23 Consulting LLC, Asociación de Vehículos Eléctricos de Chile (AVEC), Aveva, Billion Electric Mobility, Brooklyn SolarWorks, Business Region Göteborg AB, Cityfi, Cenntro Automotive Corporation, Clearly, Colruyt Group, DISIDE Technologies Private Limited, Electreon, Eleo Technologies, EVage Motors, EVBox, Fountain Fuel, Gage Zero, Harbinger Motors, Highland Electric Fleets, KDG Logistics, Omega Seiki Mobility, Pmanifold, Proxio Systems, PSPA, Quelimane Municipality, Range Energy, ReLOG3P SRL, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), the electric Mission, Think Snappy Inc., Umovity, Unique Electric Solutions Incorporated, Van Kessel, VDL Bus & Coach, Zenobe Energy Limited, and Zeus.

To support countries who are setting ambitious zero-emission transport goals, Drive to Zero and the Netherlands lead the Global MOU community to advance actions to achieve the transition to ZE-MHDVs. Key activities include collaboration, knowledge sharing and access to networks and resources, which is supported within and across countries by the Global Implementation Hub network. The proof-of-concept implementation hub, now launched in the Netherlands, offers support with the deployment of zero-emission vehicles, based on technology and adaptable tools. A local implementing partner provides fleet support to local fleet owners, in this way accelerating their journey towards zero-emission transport. The first pilot projects have started and this will be replicated in other Global MOU countries.

Global MOU countries will also have access to support tools such as the Zero Emission Vehicle Rapid Response Facility (ZEV-RRF), an initiative of the Zero Emission VehiclesTransition Council (ZEVTC). ZEV-RRF provides short-term technical assistance to emerging markets and developing economy countries that are decarbonizing their road transportation sectors, and has received US$400,000 in seed funding from the Drive Electric Campaign to provide regulatory support.

Drive to Zero is an official campaign of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) under the Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI).

About Drive to Zero

To align government and industry actions and ambition, CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program and campaign 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.

Global leaders briefed by industry experts and innovators about accelerating the zero-emission truck and bus segment

PITTSBURGH —  Noting the climate, air quality, environmental justice, clean energy and energy cost benefits, today CALSTART, its Global Commercial Vehicle Drive to Zero program and campaign (Drive to ZeroTM), and 16 leading nations are encouraging nations worldwide to adopt a 100% zero-emission truck sales target by the year 2040. 

Today’s call to action — presented in the form of a public letter — was issued on behalf of the national governments who have already signed the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU). The Global MOU is the world’s most ambitious multi-national agreement to cut climate emissions from transport and accelerate the global zero-emission truck and bus segment. The letter was presented during a high-level event at Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF), a joint convening of the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial and 7th Mission Innovation (CEM13/MI7), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The GCEAF is the final opportunity for national level climate and energy officials to meet collectively before November’s COP27 Conference in Egypt. Participants in the GCEAF included U.S. Dept. of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and top climate and energy ministers from around the world.

“Transport is a large and fast-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions and dangerous local air pollution. If we hope to collectively chart a path toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the nations with the highest transport emissions must fully commit to zero-emission trucks,” said John Boesel, CEO of clean transportation accelerator CALSTART.

“100% zero-emission truck sales by 2040 is not only imperative, it is highly achievable. Sixteen nations including my own and representing Europe, Asia, South America and North America have already confirmed we can and will meet this goal. Other leading nations must raise their ambitions. The climate crisis demands transformative action now,” said Minister Vivianne Heijnen, Minister of Environment for the Netherlands.  

Under the Global MOU, nations also agree to set an interim goal of 30% new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2030. In a coordinated effort, subnational governments – like California, Québec (Canada), and Telangana (India) – as well as top manufacturers and fleets have endorsed the ambition of the Global MOU and agreed to work collaboratively to support nations in meeting the 2030 and 2040 goals. In anticipation of today’s call to action, global innovation leaders ABB, Allego, ChargePoint, Ballard Power Systems Inc., Eaton, Electric Vehicle Council (Australia) and Xos just announced they too are endorsing the Global MOU. 

“Electric transportation is taking hold across the globe, and international partnerships like this are key to accelerating the electric mobility revolution,” said Anne Smart, vice president of global public policy for ChargePoint. “As the only EV charging network that offers public, residential, and fleet charging across two continents, ChargePoint is well positioned to support this partnership and the transition to zero-emission trucks and buses.”

“Eaton is pleased to announce we have fully endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles to create a better and cleaner world of the future, which also reflects our corporate vision. We are developing technologies to help our global customers achieve these targets, with the ultimate goal to facilitate net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Scott Adams, president, eMobility, for Eaton. 

“Zero-emission transport is at the core of Ballard Power Systems mission as we deliver fuel cell power for a sustainable planet. We are investing to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen mobility to deliver zero-emission transport solutions without compromise in operation,” said Nicolas Pocard, vice president marketing & strategic partnerships, Ballard Power Systems, Inc.

Since first launching at COP26, more than 50 leading organizations like Scania, DHL, and Heineken have endorsed the Global MOU. Sixteen nations — Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Wales — have signed it. 

New data shows the path toward 100% zero-emission trucks might actually be more attainable for nations and fleets than previously believed. In terms of new model availability, the global zero-emission truck and bus market is larger, more diverse, and more robust than previously thought. Updated insights and analysis into both the global zero-emission truck and bus market and the China market specifically find in 2022 that there are 808 zero-emission truck and bus models available for purchase globally (previous data revealed 543 models globally). Available models are expected to grow to 815 by 2023.

“Nations have no excuse to delay adopting strong zero-emission truck policies from a model availability, technology-readiness and cost-effectiveness perspective,” said Dr. Cristiano Façanha, CALSTART’s global director and lead of its Drive to Zero program and campaign. ”Zero-emission truck and bus models are proliferating globally and meet a growing number of user needs with cost parity with diesel well before 2030 for most applications.” 

Data from Drive to Zero’s Zero-Emission Technology Inventory (ZETI) shows that in the heavy-duty truck segment, new model availability is growing rapidly globally. Model availability is expected to nearly double between 2021 and 2023 (from 57 available models to 113 in 2023). The uses for this growing segment of vehicles include city-to-city delivery, refuse collection, and distributing heavy loads from ports to distribution centers (drayage). Additional details on these new global zero-emission model availability findings can be found here.

‘’The potential for heavy-duty vehicles to impact how quickly we reach a zero-emission transport future cannot be underestimated. While representing less than 4% of the vehicles on our roads, heavy vehicles are responsible for more than 40% of global road transport emissions. Swift and decisive action is needed to increase the adoption of zero-emission trucks and the crucial infrastructure to support them,” said Sandor Darretta, global segment manager e-truck for ABB. “ABB E-mobility is leading the way to that zero-emission mobility future with smart and reliable electric vehicle charging solutions, innovations which perfectly align with ABB’s Sustainability Strategy 2030 objective to enable a low-carbon society.’’

To give global energy and climate ministers an up-close look at the zero-emission trucks that are available for purchase today, CALSTART gathered more than a dozen zero-emission heavy-duty tractors, delivery vans, step vans, box trucks and other zero-emission vehicles outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where the GCEAF is being held. CALSTART’s Zero-Emission Truck (ZET) Global Expo features vehicles from Lighting eMotors, Nikola, Amazon/Rivian, Xos, Volvo, Lion, Ford, Workhorse, Peterbilt, International, Mack, Morgan and more.

CALSTART’s Drive to Zero co-led several official side-events at the GCEAF aimed at  highlighting the importance of zero-emission trucks and buses as tools to address the climate crisis, while examining the barriers and solutions to growing this critical segment quickly, efficiently, and strategically. 

CALSTART | Changing transportation for good

A national nonprofit consortium with offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado and California and partners world-wide, CALSTART works with hundreds of member company and agency innovators to build a prosperous, efficient and clean high-tech transportation industry. We knock out barriers to modernization and the adoption of clean vehicles. CALSTART is changing transportation for good.

CALSTART’s Drive to Zero and the government of the Netherlands are the co-organizing bodies of the Global MOU plus endorsement.

Contact: Roxanna Smith | roxanna.smith@globaldrivetozero.org | +1.510.326.0390

Delivery FLEET: New Tool Available for Zero-Emission Deliveries

In this era of rising gas prices and unprecedented demand for home-delivery services, it is more important than ever for delivery companies to consider transitioning their fleets to zero-emission vehicle alternatives. Replacing gas- and diesel-powered cargo vans and box trucks with electric models, or adopting compact alternatives such as e-cargo bikes and neighborhood electric vehicles where appropriate, can reduce fuel costs and boost efficiency, particularly in dense urban settings. Adopting compact and zero-emission alternatives can also improve a company’s public image, as they help to achieve local greenhouse gas reduction targets and improve air quality.

With support from FedEx Cares, CALSTART is proud to release Delivery FLEET: a First/Last-Mile Emissions Estimation Tool. This tool is designed to help companies and other stakeholders understand the benefits of replacing traditional delivery vehicles with zero-emission solutions. Users can enter information about their current fleet vehicles and local fuel costs, generating a comparison table displaying the potential fuel cost savings and greenhouse gas reductions they could achieve by adopting one or more zero-emission vehicles currently on the market.

Alongside the tool, CALSTART has released a white paper analyzing the logistical and economic benefits of these vehicles at a broader scale using the same methodology. The analysis found, when applied to the appropriate operational environment and compared with a Class 2 internal combustion engine cargo van, that:

• E-cargo bikes can reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions by over 95%
• Neighborhood electric vehicles can reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions by over 85%
• E-cargo vans can reduce fuel costs by over 55% and greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% (Figures 1 and 2)

Ready to see how these benefits could apply to your business? Check out the tool at https://globaldrivetozero.org/tools/deliveryfleet

Nations share progress, workshop solutions to speed zero-emission truck & bus segment at International Transport Forum   

LEIPZIG, Germany – Global efforts to advance zero-emission transport are gaining momentum, particularly in Europe. Today at the International Transport Forum 2022 Summit (ITF) Portugal announced it will sign the landmark Global Memorandum of Understanding (Global MOU) on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (ZE-MHDVs) – an agreement to reach 100% zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040. Portugal joins 15 other nations – many European – in the MOU.

“Portugal was one of the first countries in the world to commit to carbon neutrality by 2050. All efforts are required to achieve this ambitious target and transport is still responsible for 25.8% of emissions. But we need to accelerate decarbonization. One path to reach this purpose is by signing the MOU on zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. This way we can encourage the manufacturers and operators to develop zero emission solutions. Furthermore, we also urge other nations to join us in this effort,” said Jorge Delgado, Secretary of State for Urban Mobility of Portugal.

Top transport ministers from around the world are meeting this week at the ITF 2022 Summit with the aim of tackling the most pressing challenges currently facing the transport sector. Chief among these challenges is the transition to zero-emission trucks, which is being addressed at a high-level event today led by the Netherlands and CALSTART’s Global Commercial Drive to ZeroTM program and campaign.  

Nations who recognize the urgency of curbing emissions from the transport sector and the promise of zero-emission trucks are today working collaboratively to cut our emissions through zero-emission trucks. For a sustainable future, clean air and new, green jobs,” said Vivianne Heijnen, Minister for the Environment of the Netherlands. “We welcome Portugal to our Global MOU and urge other nations to join us.”  

“Freight trucks represent less than five percent of the global on-road fleet but contribute to over 30% of on-road fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,“ said Dr. Cristiano Façanha, Global Director for CALSTART and lead of its Drive to Zero program and campaign. “Today, zero-emission technologies for trucks are ready for most applications, and zero-emission trucks will achieve cost parity with diesel trucks before 2030 for the vast majority of truck segments. Governments need to recognize the reality of the technology and the effectiveness of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) as a climate solution. Growing our commitment to ZETs means growing our commitment to the climate crisis.” 

Featured speakers and messages (both video and in-person) include Heijnen, the Netherlands’ Minister for the Environment; Richard Corey, Executive Officer for the California Air Resources Board in the United States; Jorge Delgado, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Urban Mobility; Andreas Follér, Global Head of Sustainability for Scania; and Ulf Schulte, Managing Director DACH of Allego.

“California has set the most ambitious goals for zero-emission trucks and buses in the United States, and is also providing the regulations and incentives we need to achieve them. Our commitment in word and deed sends a very strong signal that California is – and will definitely remain – a secure market for manufacturers and investors engaged in commercializing zero-emission transportation technologies. This also achieves our equity goals, since accelerated electrification of medium and heavy duty transportation will benefit the communities hardest hit from the diesel and other pollution spewed by these trucks and other forms of freight transport that still burn petroleum,” said Corey.

This is the first time many of these nations are meeting collectively since COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, where the Netherlands and Drive to Zero co-led the formation and announcement of the Global MOU. Under the updated agreement, 16 countries will now work together toward 100% zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040. They will also set an interim goal of 30% zero-emission new vehicle sales by 2030. In a coordinated effort, subnational governments – like California, Québec (Canada), and Telengana (India) – as well as top manufacturers and fleets like Scania, DHL, and Heineken are endorsing the MOU and agreeing to work collaboratively toward the same 2030 and 2040 goals. Since launching at COP26, over 40 leading organizations have endorsed the MOU.

“Many manufacturers want to see a clear and ambitious market signal on zero-emission trucks from the countries who are the global leaders in transport. An ambitious commitment through the Global MOU would give those manufacturers who are now on the fence a nudge forward to fully embrace zero-emission transport technology,” said Andreas Follér, Global Head of Sustainability, Scania CV.   

Deepening the Global MOU signatory’s commitment to cutting emissions from transport, New Zealand just issued an Emissions Reduction Plan, outlining CO2 budgets, targets, and actions across all sectors of the economy out to 2025, 2030, and 2035. The Plan includes a target to reduce emissions from freight transport by 35% by 2035 – consistent with the ambitions of the Global MOU.

Tomorrow, the Netherlands and Drive to Zero will hold an interactive working session side event at ITF focused on how to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission trucks (register here to participate, May 19 at 1630 – 1800 CET at Hall 5, Leipziger Messe, ITF Summit). The working session will focus on how to achieve ambitious targets for zero-emission trucks. Participants will break into small groups to identify challenges and solutions for manufacturing, fleets/demand, infrastructure, policy/regulations and incentives. 

Since announcing the Global MOU at COP26, the signatory nations have been coordinating actions and information sharing through a series of meetings and events including two high-level educational “thematic deep dive” meetings organized by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero and the Netherlands. At the first meeting participants focused on the current and upcoming technology readiness and economics of different zero-emission truck and bus technologies. The second interactive meeting focused on infrastructure. Nations heard presentations and panel discussions and were given the opportunity to interact with experts from Scania, the United States Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the California Energy Commission, the government of the Netherlands, Siemens, Iberdrola, the International Transport Forum (ITF), The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Geotab, Transport & Environment, Southern California Edison, and Eindhoven University of Technology. 

For more information about the Global MOU visit the Drive to Zero website.

CALSTART | Changing transportation for good

A national nonprofit consortium with offices in New York, Michigan, Colorado and California, CALSTART partners with nearly 300 member companies and agency innovators to build a prosperous, efficient and clean high-tech transportation industry. We knock out barriers to modernization and the adoption of clean vehicles. CALSTART is changing transportation for good.

To align government and industry actions and ambition, CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program and campaign aims to enable and accelerate the growth of global zero-emission commercial vehicles, and enjoys the support of 130+ manufacturers, fleets, governments, and infrastructure providers. 

Drive to Zero contact: Roxanna Smith, roxanna.smith@globaldrivetozero.org, +1.510.326.0390

Netherlands contact: Joris Schouten, joris.schouten@minienw.nl, +31 6 46251005