US Takes Climate Action by Joining Global Memorandum of Understanding on Electric Trucks & Buses

SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Today, on Solutions Day at COP27, the United States announced it is joining a global memorandum of understanding (MOU) calling for 100 percent new zero-emission truck and bus sales by 2040, with an interim goal of 30 percent of new sales by 2030. 

Earlier this month, 16 Congressmembers, led by Senator Martin Heinrich, urged President Biden to sign the US onto this international effort. 

Sixteen nations, including fellow G8 nations Canada and the United Kingdom, are already signatories to the Global MOU. Several states and cities are as well, including California, US; Québec, Canada; and Telangana, India. 

A CALSTART analysis shows that the U.S. could avoid 718 million metric tons of climate pollution by 2040, and 1,030 million metric tons by 2050, by joining the Global MOU.

In response to the announcement, Katherine García, director of Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:

“Communities around the world are burdened by toxic diesel pollution every day – this shift to electric trucks and buses cannot come soon enough. By signing this global MOU, the US is committing to slash pollution from the most polluting vehicles on the road. This will signal to manufacturers that the days of polluting trucks and buses are numbered. We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for joining this international effort. And we urge strong federal regulations that electrify trucks and buses at the pace required – for climate, for health, and for justice.”