New report shows 24% of world road transportation is committed to transitioning to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2050: here’s how 2021 supercharged this urgent climate transition

People around the world are already beginning to experience clean, zero-emission transportation: from the quiet efficiency of e-buses in Latin America, to the power of pollution-free delivery e-bikes in Delhi, to the growing number of car and truck drivers saying goodbye to oil. As of the end of 2021, roughly one quarter of the world’s road transportation is committed to becoming emissions-free by or before 2050. 

How did we get here? Driving Progress: accelerating a zero-emission road transportation future is now available to download, offering our first overview of achievements of the Drive Electric Campaign global coalition.

In our summary report, we spotlight some of the major policies, movements, and milestones from around the world. In 2021 we saw breakthrough global agreements, inspiring pilot projects picking up speed, and incredible outcomes from coalitions of communities making their voices heard against the harmful impacts of polluting vehicles. 

Drive Electric partners have contributed meaningfully to this incredible progress. The network of more than 70 organizations is working together to overcome the remaining barriers and cross the tipping point when electric vehicles will outcompete polluting combustion vehicles globally — in the next five years.

Our partners are engaged in advancing electric transportation in more than 65 countries, and we see accelerated uptake where our partners are most active. Overall electric car sales are averaging over 12% across the four key markets of Europe, China, the U.S., and India (in Europe alone, sales of electric vehicles reached over 17%, driven by strong regulations and incentives advanced by our partners).

Together, these efforts deliver massive benefits, including addressing one of the biggest contributors to global climate change. By accelerating electrification, we can avoid over 160 billion tons of cumulative carbon pollution over the next 40 years, avert trillions of dollars in climate damages, save lives, create jobs, and improve the economy.

The early months of 2022 have reminded us just how important this work is. Amidst the interlocking crises of a new UN report detailing the pace and cost of climate destabilization, rising oil prices, and a devastating and illegal war funded and powered by fossil-fuels, we see more than ever how electrifying road transportation can help chart a new and vastly more sustainable course.

Download the report today, share your thoughts with us on social media, and learn how to get involved with the work of our partners.