While electric cars are front and centre in the conversation around zero emission transport, the electrification of trucks is often still overlooked. But it really is the next frontier of the transition of road transport – and we’re nearing that frontier, with benefits that are just as significant and bring loads of opportunities.
Let’s start our engines for Climate Week NYC.
It’s clear that heavy trucks are a big contributor to air pollution. Globally, just 4% of vehicles on the road are trucks, but they cause 40% of all road transport emissions, and use a third of total transport fuel. To put it in perspective, global CO2 emissions from heavy trucks are greater than the emissions of the aviation and shipping industries combined.
That’s why during last year’s Climate Week NYC we launched EV100+, with 5 leading businesses committed to use zero emission heavy trucks by 2040 at the latest. A hugely ambitious commitment, that shows true climate leadership and a vision that prepares them for the future.
The best zero emission option for businesses are electric trucks, and before long they stand to offer significant cost savings compared to their fossil fuel peers across their lifespan. They’re much quieter than diesel trucks, so they can operate in areas with noise restrictions and at night when roads are quieter. Additionally, electric models can be charged overnight, when electricity costs are usually at their lowest.
The transition to electric trucks will have economic benefits. But to unlock these, we need a market shift across the globe, and we need the policies to make it happen.
Deep-diving
Setting ambitions is one thing, but for success, the right policies and infrastructure need to be in place. That is why at Climate Week NYC 2023, we’ll deep-dive into this much needed international shift, and look where it’s already happening.
One example is California’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing number of Zero-Emission trucks, starting in 2024. States across the US have adopted this rule or are considering it. And on July 6th, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and leading truck manufacturers reached an agreement that paves the way to broader adoption of clean trucks across the US. Climate Group will continue to work with partners to push additional states to adopt the rule, highlighting the value of ZEV mandates for ambitious fleet operators. We fully expect these regulations to be a catalyst for shifting the market right across the country.
The EU is making important steps as well. After confirming the ban of new petrol and diesel cars sales from 2035 earlier this year, it’s now working on similar rules for trucks, which need to be similarly ambitious. So we’ve come together with others in the EU to call for a sales-ban for new fossil fuel trucks after 2035. Clear, ambitious phase-out dates like these push truck manufacturers across Europe to increase production and bring a wider variety of models to the market.
Progress is happening elsewhere also - in India, our recent research showed that e-trucks can already be viable in certain use cases. Medium and heavy-duty trucks comprise only 2-3% of the total on-road vehicles in India, but they contribute to 45% of on-road emissions and 35% of on-road fuel consumption. At the recent Clean Energy Ministerial Electric (CEM) in Goa, we started a new partnership together with UC Davis and Calstart to bring together top Indian commercial vehicle and component manufacturers, among others, to drive this issue forward.
Building out corridors
These are important steps, that need to be merged with concrete action on infrastructure. We need to build out key transport corridors, for example, important trade routes that are equipped with rapid charging points to ensure drivers can charge their trucks quickly and easily. And we need grid capacity that is up to speed and up to date.
These are just a few examples we’ll be discussing at Climate Week NYC. Only together can we have impact at scale and speed on air quality, peoples' health and the climate, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The frontrunning companies we work with in EV100+ are paving the way, and taking the public debate forward. Their example must lead to more companies and governments showing leadership, turning ambitions into reality by accelerating vehicle supply, bridging price gaps, enabling investment, and building out fast charging along crucial trade corridors.
At Climate Week NYC we’ll bring those stakeholders together, to drive climate action. Fast.
See you there!
Climate Week NYC starts on Sunday, September 17 with the Opening Ceremony. On Monday and Tuesday, September 18-19, Climate Group hosts The Hub Live, Climate Week NYC’s interactive program for innovative solutions, technologies and ideas that drive forward climate action now.