Progress to ZEVs in 2020

The geographic reach of the government platforms and commitments made a big jump recently to include China for commercial vehicles (Drive to Zero), and is continuing to cover more in the global south – e.g., Chile in Global Drive to Zero; Costa Rica (Latin America) and Cape Verde (Africa) advancing ZEVs; Bogota (Colombia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and others and in Green and Healthy Streets, complemented by the increasing geographic reach of corporate commitments. China announced it will achieve net zero emissions across all sectors by 2060 (though the translation into ZEV commitments is forthcoming), plus put out a roadmap to 50% ZEVs (& 50% hybrids) by 2035. The Delhi EV Policy is an example of increasing ambition to reach 25% of new vehicle registrations being EVs by 2024.

Action on zero-emission freight is increasing rapidly. The first of its kind Heavy-duty Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule in California’s regulation stringency doubled based on coalition advocacy efforts, leading to 40-75% new sales of ZE trucks in California in 2035 and providing a model rule for other governments. Fifteen others (states and Washington DC) signed a Medium Duty/Heavy Duty Vehicle Electrification Memorandum of Understanding in the US in July. Fourty of the new signatories to the Global Drive to Zero platform include nine governments (China, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Chile, Västra Götaland Region in Sweden and K’uL Group-Canada – an economic development in British Columbia), ten manufacturers (including Canadian Electric Vehicles, DANNAR, Nikola Corporation, Nuvera Fuel Cells, DiPP-R AB, Scania, and XL Fleet), fleets (such as Sim International, The Green Cab, and East Bay Municipal Utility District), large utilities (e.g., San Diego Gas & Electric), and others (knowledge/service providers).

Corporate commitments are accelerating. EV100’s reach continues to build in Europe and includes new commitments from the US, India, China, and Australia. The Global New Mobility Coalition engaged 24 new companies (including ones from China, India, Europe, and the US). There is a new corporate platform in the US – the Zero Emission Transportation Association. Lyft announced that it would achieve 100% electrification of its vehicles by 2030 and Uber announced that it would achieve 100% electrification of its vehicles by 2030-2040 (depending on region). 

The move to 100% ZEV light-duty vehicles is building. The United Kingdom pulled forward its ambition to ban new petrol/diesel cars and van sales to 2030. California aims for 100% new sales of cars by 2035. China increased ambition on the world’s first national ZEV requirement (the ‘single more important piece of legislation for EV’s globally’) from 20% to 25% NEV sales by 2025, and extended subsidies for another two years. Multiple US states continue to advance their work to adopt light duty EV regulations. 

Cities are ramping up: Vancouver and Bogota (two members of the Green and Healthy Streets, with Bogota a new member) announced climate emergencies. Thirty-six cities in GHS continue to make progress to fully electrify their buses and create zero emission areas (ZEA) in their cities. ZEA and road pricing efforts are advancing across the world – including Rio de Janeiro, Berlin, Beijing, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. LA, Sacramento, Seattle, and San Francisco are part of the Global New Mobility Coalition’s city network, with London, Oslo, Denver, Amsterdam, and Helsinki interested. Cities are also turning their attention more to freight (Drive to Zero) in the US (New York, Madison, LA, Sacramento) and Europe (Oslo, Helmond). Finally, demonstrations are advancing significantly in Delhi (Deliver Electric Delhi) and China (dramatic uptake in electric logistics vehicles in Shenzhen).