Nevada Takes an Important Step to Get More Clean Trucks on the Road
April 1, 2022 /3BL Media/ - Nevada doubled down on its commitment to tackling transportation-related climate pollution today, signing an agreement with 16 other states to work together to grow the market for zero-emission commercial vehicles like trucks and vans.
Major companies operating in Nevada welcomed Gov. Steve Sisolak’s announcement that Nevada would join the agreement, called the Multi-State Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This coordinated effort launched in 2020.
“Like many companies, DHL understands the economic and health risks of climate change and transportation-related air pollution. That is why we’ve committed to operating 70% of our first and last mile services with zero-emission solutions globally by 2025,” said Greg Hewitt, CEO, DHL Express U.S. “Transportation and logistics companies are an important part of the solution, and policies that support the uptake of electric and zero emission vehicles present a significant opportunity for companies and participating states. We are proud to support Gov. Sisolak on this important decision.”
“Nestlé is committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 across our businesses and supply chain in the U.S. and around the globe. This will require a shift in how we move people and goods around the country to incorporate more zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles,” said Meg Villarreal, Manager of Policy and Public Affairs, Nestlé. “We commend Gov. Sisolak for his continued commitment to climate action and ensuring Nevada remains at the forefront of the clean energy and transportation transition.”
The agreement is designed to help states collaborate on strategies and plans that will dramatically increase the number of clean medium- and heavy-duty vehicles on the road in the coming years to address transportation pollution, which is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. It includes a goal for all large commercial vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2050, with an interim goal of 30% by 2030, and encourages states to develop plans to transition their own fleets to clean vehicles.
These targets are critical to addressing climate pollution, because commercial vehicles are responsible for a disproportionate share of it. Although they represent just 10% of U.S. traffic, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles generate nearly a quarter of emissions from the transportation sector. They are also the source of even greater rates of dangerous air pollutants that cause heart and lung disease, and especially afflict communities located near highways, busy roads, and commercial corridors.
Many leading companies that operate widely across U.S. roadways have shown they are eager to electrify their fleets. In 2020, the sustainability nonprofit Ceres launched the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance (CEVA) to help companies work together on efforts to quickly develop and widely deploy zero-emission commercial vehicles. A recent Ceres analysis showed that these companies—which include Amazon, American Airlines, Best Buy, DHL, and Ikea—collectively plan to procure nearly 333,000 electric vehicles within the next five years. However, many of the vehicle models that these companies need are not yet being built or are not available at scale.
“Leading companies recognize that the future of transportation is electric, and they want to see policies that will support this transition by jumpstarting the market for the vehicle models they need to get the job done,” said Jennifer Helfrich, senior manager, state policy, Ceres. “Gov. Sisolak’s leadership in joining this pact will help Nevada capture the economic and health benefits that come with zero-emission trucks. With more clean vehicles on the road, Nevada can help clean the air for communities across the state, and unlock jobs and infrastructure investments that will benefit future generations.
The 16 states that had previously signed the MOU are: California, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, as well as Washington, D.C. Several of these states have since adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which would require zero-emission trucks to represent a growing portion of vehicle sales over time, as well as the Heavy Duty Omnibus rule, which would require those diesel trucks that are still sold to be equipped with technology that significantly reduces emissions of harmful pollutants.
About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.
Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 214
