THE COUNCIL
Who We Are
How we started
A rapid global transition to zero-emission vehicles is vital to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
On November 27, 2020, ministers and representatives from some of the world’s largest and most progressive car markets came together for the first time to form a new Zero Emission Vehicles Transition Council. Hosted by COP26 President, Alok Sharma, the Council met to discuss how to accelerate the pace of the global transition to zero-emission vehicles.
These ministers and representatives agreed to collectively address some of the key challenges in the transition to ZEVs, enabling the transition to be faster, cheaper, and easier for all.
Read our joint statement.
Our Method
Road transport accounts for about 21% of global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and total emissions from the sector are still growing. A rapid global transition to ZEVs, alongside other measures, can play an important role in aligning the transport sector with the Paris Agreement objective of limiting warming to well below 2°C and keeping 1.5°C within reach. While ZEV uptake is growing, we must continue to increase the pace of the global transition to meet our Paris Agreement goals and advance the Road Transport Breakthrough 2030 goal: ‘to make zero emission vehicles the new normal by making them affordable, accessible, and sustainable in all regions by 2030.’
An accelerated ZEV transition offers the potential for numerous benefits beyond greenhouse gas reductions. If managed well, the transition can create opportunities for jobs and growth, lower costs for drivers, improve air and reduce other environmental pollution with benefits for public health, and can help balance electricity grids as we make the transition to clean power. However, realizing these benefits will require collaboration and planning among leading governments and the private sector.
Convene
The ZEVTC brings together ministers from governments that represent over 50% of the global car market and one quarter of the global truck and bus market. Council members have agreed to collectively address key challenges in the transition to ZEVs, enabling the transition to be faster, cheaper, and easier for all.
The Council convenes on a regular basis to discuss how to accelerate the pace of the global transition to ZEVs, to reduce emissions and help the global community meet our goals under the Paris Agreement.
Inform
By drawing on inputs from technical experts the ZEVTC can better understand the state of the ZEV transition and how best to accelerate it. Briefing topics include:
- Quantifying life-cycle GHG emissions from potential technology pathways
- Identifying effective policies to build and support ZEV market
- Tracking the pace of the transition, globally and in individual markets
- Identifying opportunities and barriers for policy
Our Members
The world’s largest or most progressive electric vehicle markets committed to an accelerated transition comprise the ZEV Transition Council.
*Membership as of December 2024