Building on the success of the EV100 initiative, the Climate Group has launched EV100+, a new road transport leadership commitment with the aim of decarbonising medium to heavy duty vehicles.
Five globally recognised businesses – IKEA, Unilever, JSW Steel Limited, A.P. Moller – Maersk and GeoPost/DPDgroup – are the founding members of the initiative, which aims to phase out the heaviest and most polluting vehicles on today’s roads.
Together they have committed to transition their fleet of vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, known as medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), to zero emission by 2040 in OECD markets, China and India.
Representing just 4% of all vehicles on the road globally, MHDVs account for 40% of all road transport emissions and a third of total transport fuel use. These vehicles produced over 5% of total global CO2 emissions in 2019, predicted to increase to over 11% by 2050 if steps to decarbonise are not taken.
To achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement, heavy-duty road transport must be completely decarbonised. With advances in technology making it possible, all new trucks sold in the world’s major markets must be zero emission by 2040.
Sandra Roling, Director of Transport at Climate Group, comments: “We’re very excited to launch EV100+ at this year’s Climate Week NYC. It’s a great demonstration of leadership from the founding members. MHDVs represent the final frontier of zero emission road transportation, and EV100+ will tackle the heaviest, most polluting vehicles on our roads around the world.”
EV100+ builds on the success of Climate Group’s global EV100 initiative, launched in 2017 and now celebrating its fifth anniversary, which brings together companies committed to making electric transport the new normal by 2030.
In five years, EV100 has grown to a group of over 120 businesses right across the globe, committing over 5.5 million vehicles to electric by 2030.
Sandra added: “We’ve seen over the last five years how EV100 has acted as a powerful catalyst for change across light-duty vehicle fleets. Now it’s time for EV100+ to drive this change across global MHDV fleets as well – businesses are willing to lead this change.”
EV100+’s founding members are helping to drive demand for zero emission MHDVs from manufacturers and supporting governments in implementing policies that encourage their adoption at the speed and scale needed.
Keyword: Climate Group launches EV100+ to target polluting trucks