The global market shift is already propelling the transportation industry toward electrification and clean technologies. But without ambitious action from investors and companies, paired with effective state and federal policy changes, the transition will not happen equitably or quickly enough for the sector to help limit the worst and costliest impacts of the climate crisis – and remain competitive globally —as the clean energy transition accelerates worldwide.
Our work in the transportation sector
The future of transportation is electric—to the benefit of both business and the planet. Ceres partners with investors and companies to promote ambitious innovation and policies to slash pollution and bolster the U.S. transportation industry’s competitiveness.
Our approach
Transportation is the single largest source of carbon pollution in the entire economy, accounting for 27% of emissions in the U.S. Through our Ambition 2030 initiative, Ceres aims to decarbonize the six highest-emitting sectors of the economy, including the transportation sector. We work sector-wide, calling on companies to set science-based climate goals, create robust transition action plans, and provide disclosure about how they are achieving interim targets by 2030.
Investor engagement
Through the Ceres Investor Network and our global engagement initiative, Climate Action 100+, we support and educate institutional investors to help them better engage with companies on improving disclosure, reducing emissions, and adopting new technologies and solutions to create a clean transportation future.
Corporate action
We work directly with companies in the Ceres Company Network —and beyond—that have a large transportation footprint to electrify vehicle fleets, cut climate emissions, and adopt the innovations that are ushering in the clean transportation economy.
Policy advocacy
Through the Ceres Policy Network, we are working to build investor and corporate support for strong transportation policies that create jobs, save consumers and automakers money, and promote investments in electric vehicle technology and deployment.
Join the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance
The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance, led by Ceres, is a collaborative group of companies focused on accelerating the transition to electric vehicles across all use cases and class sizes.
Learn more
Explore our transportation reports
We produce cutting-edge research and reports to educate and encourage investors and companies in the transportation sector to achieve a clean transportation future.
Sep 7, 2023
Electric Vehicle Batteries: A Guidebook for Responsible Corporate Engagement Throughout the Supply Chain
May 17, 2022
Electrifying Trucking: The Case for Ambitious Federal Emissions Standards and Policies
Jan 21, 2022
Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance Survey Analysis
Our Progress
We work with investors and companies in the transportation sector to reduce their overall climate impacts, achieve their corporate climate targets, and accelerate the just and sustainable transition to a low-carbon economy. We also build investor and corporate support for the federal and state policies needed to drive innovation, cut pollution, save manufacturers and consumers money, and boost the global competitiveness of the U.S. transportation industry. As a result of our advocacy, we are seeing real progress. Here are some recent highlights.
Advanced Clean Cars II
More states adopted strong clean vehicle standards, which Ceres has been instrumental in building investor and company support for over the years. Connecticut and New Jersey became the latest states to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, which requires automakers to increase sales of electric and other zero-emission models, culminating with 100% of new sales in 2035. California, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, and Vermont have already adopted ACC II and the ACT standard for clean trucks, which Colorado has also adopted.
Emissions Standards
In a letter to the EPA organized by Ceres, CALSTART, Zero Emission Transportation Association, Climate Group, Climate Collaborative, and B Lab, more than 60 leading investors and companies urged the agency to finalize the strongest emissions standards possible for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The proposed standards would spur electric vehicle production and sales by ensuring that zero-emission vehicles account for as much as two-thirds of new vehicle sales by 2032 and would help meet the growing market demand for zero-emission commercial vehicles.
White House EV Acceleration Challenge
Ceres joined the White House’s EV Acceleration Challenge, committing to expand our work with major companies to transition to electric vehicles. As part of the challenge, five members of the Ceres Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance-- Amazon, Exelon, Hertz, Siemens and Uber--made ambitious new EV commitments.
Advanced Clean Fleets
We mobilized more than 45 companies, investors, and institutions to call for the adoption of an ambitious version of the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which requires high-priority fleet operators to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2045. The policy will help companies meet their climate goals throughout their supply chains and strengthen the U.S.’s role as a global leader to attract clean transportation investment.
Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles
Nevada joined 16 other states in signing the Multi-State Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement, supported by DHL and other companies in Ceres Electric Vehicle Alliance, helps states collaborate on strategies and plans designed to dramatically increase the number of clean medium and heavy-duty vehicles on the road in the coming years to address transportation pollution.
The Principles
Ceres Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance released a first-ever set of fleet electrification principles, providing guidance on what auto and truck manufacturers, regulators, policymakers, and utilities can and must do to advance the commercial electric vehicle market.
Launch of the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance
Ceres launches the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance to accelerate the business transition to electric vehicles for all types of vehicles - from light-duty passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks. Members of the Alliance include Amazon, DHL, Hertz, IKEA, Lyft, National Grid, and Uber.
Latest updates
Read the latest news and insights from our work in the transportation sector.
Help us transform the transportation sector
Our work to accelerate the transition to a more just and sustainable economy depends on the generosity of our supporters. Your gift will help Ceres drive progress across every sector of the economy.
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Events and webinars
May 20, 2024
In-Person
| Las Vegas
Advanced Clean Transportation Expo 2024
Sep 22, 2022
On-demand
Accelerating Corporate Support for the Advanced Clean Cars II Program
Mar 24, 2022
On-demand
Colorado's Clean Truck Future: The Benefit to Businesses
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