Accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles.

Why it matters

Road transport accounts for 10% of global emissions, and its emissions are rising faster than those of any other sector. 

A shift to zero emission vehicles is already underway, creating new jobs, bringing cleaner air to cities, and – increasingly – cutting the costs of car ownership. 

To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, this transition needs to happen much more quickly.  It must include not only cars, but vans, buses, trucks, and lorries.

What we are doing

We are working to build consensus on the pace of transition to zero emission vehicles that is needed to meet the Paris goals, and to strengthen international collaboration to accelerate progress. 

We have created the Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council for this purpose, bringing together governments representing over half the global car market.  

We are encouraging vehicle manufacturers to show leadership in moving to supply only zero emission vehicles, and partnering with businesses in the EV100 initiative to increase demand. 

How you can help

• Countries and states: commit to ensuring all new car and van sales are zero emission vehicles by 2035 (advanced markets) or 2040 (all other markets); put in place policies to accelerate uptake of zero emission cars, vans, buses and trucks.   
• Vehicle manufacturers: commit to selling only zero emission vehicles by 2035 or earlier.  
• Fleet-owning businesses: commit to achieving a fully zero emission fleet by 2030 or earlier; join the EV100 initiative.  
• Civil society: build support for all of the above measures. 

Further information:

• Joint Statement from countries in the Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council (ZEVTC), after its first meeting
• Speech by the COP President Designate at the second meeting of the ZEVTC
• Article and expert analysis from the International Council on Clean Transportation, which is supporting the ZEVTC
• The Climate Group’s RouteZero Campaign, EV100 initiative and Zero Emission Vehicle Community
• Analysis presented to the Zero Emission Vehicles Transition Council on The role of Zero Emissions Vehicles in global road transport pathways meeting the Paris Agreement from the UK Climate Change Committee
• Analysis presented to the Zero Emission Vehicles Transition Council on Decarbonizing road transport by 2050: Zero-emission pathways for passenger vehicles from the International Council on Clean Transportation