We are very excited to share with you the Call for Zero Emission Freight Vehicles. Developed by TDA’s Community of Interest on Urban Freight, this call aims to accelerate the uptake of clean freight vehicles. TDA will collect signatures of stakeholders planning to transition to zero emission freight vehicles and promote this call so more vehicle manufacturers and freight companies consider moving to zero emission vehicles.
In this TDA initiative, countries, cities, and companies collectively call upon the industry to produce more zero-emission trucks. Deutsche Post DHL Group and Michelin have already signed the call for action, covering 90,4000 zero emission freight vehicles in total.
Decarbonizing road freight
While road freight only constitutes 8% of international trade in 2015, it generates 40% of CO2 emissions. When all freight, international and domestic, is considered the contrast is even bigger: road holds 18% of freight tonne-km, yet about 67% of CO2 emissions. While no mode should escape efforts to curb carbon emissions, it is clear that trucks is where the biggest gains are to be realized.
Transport is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 24% of Europe’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Urbanization implies increased demand for goods, services and construction works, bringing more and heavier vehicles on city streets: in urban areas, vans and trucks are relatively big contributors to local emissions. The 2011 European Commission White Paper on Transport has identified the goal of CO2-free city logistics in major urban centers by 2030. The EC is putting forward the first ever CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles: in 2030, average CO2 emissions from new trucks will have to be 30% lower than in 2019.
Zero emission vehicles are needed
Zero emission freight vehicles have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint and address the local air quality issues. However, a big challenge is to solve the chicken-egg problem: manufacturers claim they are willing to produce zero emission freight vehicles on a large scale, but there is not enough demand. On the other hand, fleet owners say that they are interested in procuring zero emission freight vehicles, but these are not offered for a feasible price with the right requirements. With this call countries, cities and companies aim to show that there is a demand for freight vehicles and accelerate decarbonization of freight transport.
To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries, cities and companies must work together, so please join the Call for Zero Emission Freight Vehicles and sign here: