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With the aim of reaching as many signatories as possible from governments, cities, automotive manufacturers, business fleet owners and operators, as well as financial institutions, the Glasgow’s declaration on Zero Emission Cars and Vans, unveiled at the COP26 climate talks, failed to get the endorsement of main mobility-technology States and industry players.  

By signing this declaration, organisations and governments commit to making electric vehicles the new normal by 2035. This pledge endorses an electric-only approach that will have considerable social impacts, without ensuring an efficient and effective transition to reach climate goals, leaving behind green technologies and not leveraging existing infrastructure. 

CLEPA advocates for optimising the wide range of technologies and resources available. Where electric mobility is the best and most economical solution it will succeed. The business case is growing fast, especially where there are incentives and charging points in place. But where affordability and charging infrastructure are not a given, there should be room for alternatives. The world needs both sustainable renewable fuels and electrification to reach the climate objectives.

Germany has publicly communicated the impossibility of joining the declaration, in defense of the role that renewable fuels can play adapting the current vehicles fleet and supporting the use of the internal combustion engine running on green energy. France, Spain, Italy or the UK have also stepped out. International manufacturing economies such as China, Japan and the United States also did not sign the pledge.   

As for industry representatives, the declaration has also not been endorsed by the world’s biggest car manufacturers – Toyota, Volkswagen, Stellantis and Hyundai.