On COP26 Transport Day, Scania announces its endorsement of a first ever global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate on zero-emission trucks and buses by 2050. The initiative is driven by CALSTART and the government of the Netherlands.
The manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty vehicles that endorse this MoU aim to reach 30 percent zero-emissions sales by 2030. Furthermore, the signatories aspire that over 90 percent of sales worldwide be zero-emission vehicles by 2040, recognising that the remaining sales share in 2040 should be powered by 100 percent fossil-free energy.
“We endorse this global agreement on zero-emission trucks and buses as part of wider efforts to accelerate the shift towards sustainable transport. We will do our part to facilitate scaling of solutions faster and more cost-efficiently, not the least through initiatives that spur the build out of charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles,” says Scania President and CEO Christian Levin.
The MoU means that for the first time: leading countries are aligned on a pathway toward reaching 100% zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040; cars, vans, trucks, and buses are all on a pathway to 100% zero emissions and in line to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees; zero-emission trucks and buses deliver not only climate and health benefits, but also drive new investment, technology innovation, clean technology jobs and energy security.
“For too long our medium and heavy-duty vehicles were too difficult to decarbonise. But technology is improving fast, and costs are reducing quickly. So now is the time to speed up. I call on other countries to join our effort as soon as possible,” said Steven van Weyenberg, Minister for the Environment of the Netherlands, one of the signers of the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Zero Emission Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles. Dr. Cristiano Façanha, CALSTART’s Global Director: “Globally, freight trucks and buses represent about four percent of the on-road fleet but are responsible for 36 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and over 70 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions that contribute to local air pollution. This makes trucks and buses a very effective target for fast decarbonisation.”
For more information, visit: www.globaldrivetozero.org