Major companies with large commercial vehicle fleets provide guidance for auto and truck manufacturers, regulators, policymakers, and utilities on how to accelerate transition to electric vehicle
A collaborative group of 21 major global and U.S.-based companies released today a first-ever set of cross-sectoral 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. This timely action made by ambitious companies to decarbonize the U.S. transportation sector provides critical private sector momentum leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Biden, who has vowed action to combat the climate crisis, as well as the crucial COP26 in Glasgow.
The group, known as the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance, led by the sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres, was formed in January 2020 to accelerate the business transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in all vehicle segments - from light-duty passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks.
The Alliance’s principles represent the collective priorities of a cross section of major companies with significant vehicle fleets across a wide array of industries and geographic regions, including Amazon, AT&T, Best Buy, DHL, Exelon, IKEA, Siemens, National Grid, and Uber. All of whom are members of the Alliance. For a full list of members, click here.
“There is wide consensus across the business community that the future of transportation must be electric, but that barriers to this critical and necessary transition persist.” said Sara Forni, senior manager of clean vehicles at Ceres. “That’s why the work of the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance to break down those barriers and outline the principles that each EV stakeholder group must follow to improve market, regulatory, and policy conditions is so timely and important. It signals the needs of companies and lays out a clear vision for the future of commercial vehicles.”
The 9 principles, which outline criteria that would support companies in electrifying their on-road transportation and logistics fleets and networks and catalyze further corporate action, are as follows, with full details on each principle located here:
Greater variety and volume of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) model options
Access to cost-effective charging infrastructure and flexible rates
More transparency on new model release timing and availability
Upfront cost parity with ICE vehicles
Integrated access to renewable energy
Improved coordination with and support from electric power companies and utility regulators
Strategically sited and widely available charging infrastructure
Technology interoperability and streamlined charging standards
Employee commute & regional transportation decarbonization
Alli Gold Roberts, director of state policy at Ceres added, “Businesses need supportive policies at all levels of government to ensure the EV transition takes hold at the scale and speed necessary to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Policies that increase the volume of EVs on the market and provide supportive infrastructure and incentives have already been effective drivers of increased uptake and key to global competitiveness. Businesses are supportive of these policies and are engaging more than ever in policy design and implementation.”
The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance provides a platform for companies to share best practices and lessons learned, and to collaborate and identify common challenges and advocate for market- and policy-based solutions. Members work collaboratively to leverage their collective power and the influence of the private sector to aggregate and signal demand for EVs to increase the production of new and more readily available EV models, accelerate EV market growth and economies of scale, promote the adoption of supportive policies and the removal of policy barriers, and foster peer-to-peer learning on industry best practices.
“When Exelon talks in our purpose statement about bringing a cleaner, brighter future for our customers and communities, we drive that with tangible work and commitments, including our commitment to electrify half of our utility vehicle fleet by 2030,” said Calvin Butler, CEO of Exelon Utilities. “We know that transportation electrification holds the promise of helping us meet environmental goals, reduce carbon footprints, and bring lifesaving, cleaner air for residents. We also know that is especially critical for those in communities of color disproportionately impacted by air pollution. That’s why the work of CEVA and these principles seeking to accelerate U.S. commercial fleet electrification matter so profoundly for the people we serve.”
“To fight climate change, we must address the transportation sector,” said Badar Khan, President of National Grid, US. “That starts with companies like us electrifying our own fleets, thereby reducing GHG emissions in our everyday business, and helping our customers do the same. We support the CEVA principles in their advocacy for fleet electrification. We will convert to a 100% electric fleet by 2030 for our light-duty vehicles while also pursuing the replacement of our medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with zero carbon alternatives.”
“As the transportation sector accounts for a large portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, fleet electrification is an essential and equitable way to improve air quality and meet carbon reduction goals,” said John DeBoer, Head of Siemens eMobility Solutions and Future Grid Business in North America. “Clean transport requires a new level of collaboration among the private sector, government agencies, OEMs and utilities in order to meet critically important 2030 and 2035 milestones. The principles of CEVA will serve as an important guide to get there.”
“As Thyssenkrupp Elevator seeks to achieve its aggressive carbon goals, fleet improvements will be critical to our success. The fleet electrification principles from the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance will play an integral role in that success, and we are pleased to join other forward-thinking companies in incorporating these principles into our extensive sustainability plans.” – Monica Miller Brown, Sustainable Design Manager, Thyssenkrupp Elevator
The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance is currently accepting new members. To learn more or inquire about membership, visit https://www.ceres.org/corporate-electric-vehicle-alliance.
Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through powerful networks and advocacy, Ceres tackles the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, including the climate crisis, water scarcity and pollution, and inequitable workplaces.