OEMs pledge to boost U.S. zero-emission vehicle sales

Major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the United States have committed to increasing sales of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) and achieving carbon neutrality, according to a recent report by CALSTART. This commitment marks a pivotal step in the automotive industry's efforts to decarbonise U.S. transportation and mitigate the environmental impact of freight vehicles.

Published

February 2024

Industry

Electric Vehicles

A table displays zero-emission targets for various OEMs, alongside the target year and the source. OEMs listed include Cummins, Daimler Trucks North America, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Isuzu, Navistar, PACCAR, and Volvo Group. These targets align with market developments in Electric Vehicles from 2030 to 2050.

Source: Zeroing in on zero-emission trucks | Calstart

The CALSTART report highlights the remarkable progress in the availability and adoption of ZETs, with more than 160 models now accessible from over 40 OEMs. This surge in model availability is a testament to the industry’s dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the significant emissions reduction commitments made by numerous truck manufacturers, including legacy brands.

As of December 2023, a number of major OEMs have set forth U.S. Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) or carbon neutrality goals, demonstrating a unified front in the battle against climate change. These goals are not only ambitious but also indicative of a broader industry trend towards exclusively zero-emission offerings, pushing ZET model availability to an all-time high.

The increase in ZET adoption can be attributed to several factors, including heightened regulatory actions at both federal and state levels aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from trucks. For instance, the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule requires manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of ZETs as part of their total truck sales. This, along with the proposed Phase 3 standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which aim to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, underscores the regulatory momentum towards cleaner transportation.

Moreover, the report notes the role of incentives and the establishment of dedicated infrastructure for ZETs in supporting this transition. Investments in high-powered charging technology and the expansion of regulations to additional geographies are further driving the deployment of ZETs across the United States.

The commitments by OEMs to enhance ZEV sales and achieve carbon neutrality are crucial for meeting the United States’ ambitious environmental goals and mitigating the impact of freight transportation on climate change and public health. As the technology continues to advance and economies of scale are achieved, ZETs are expected to play a dominant role in the U.S. truck market, marking a significant shift towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation sector.

Source: Zeroing in on zero-emission trucks | Calstart