Automotive CEOs Rally for Clean Vehicles

Decarbonizing automotive transport. Is it possible? Thirteen automotive CEOs from around the world stand by the vision and have committed to sustainable mobility.

Among that group of leaders is GM’s Mary Barra.

Convened through the World Economic Forum, this coalition realizes that access to clean, safe and affordable automotive transportation is no longer just for the privileged few. Mobility is key to our ability to function as a society. The challenge is to address the greenhouse gasses that come from driving and build a sustainable model of mobility that supports a growing population.

Here’s what these CEOs have committed to within their companies:

• Prioritize R&D efforts to increase fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine, and further explore, develop and commercialize energy-efficient drivetrains and use of low-carbon fuels.
• Advocate for policies placing a value on greenhouse gas reduction, such as incentives for advanced technology vehicles, better urban planning to reduce travel growth, incorporation of off-cycle technologies, and transportation fuels pricing.
• Harness the potential of new technologies, digitalization and the sharing economy to provide new and flexible opportunities for transport.

Company efforts to address climate change are more impactful if implemented as a collective effort. These 13 CEOs have invited regulators both national and regional; energy and infrastructure leaders; entrepreneurs; consumers; NGOs; academics and others to join them in seeking comprehensive carbon-reduction solutions.

Collaboration is key to achieving this bold vision; it’s going to take a multi-stakeholder approach with strong public and private partnerships to see it through. Along these lines, they encourage:

• Governments to take a broader approach to regulating CO₂. Global standardization in testing procedures could enable R&D budgets to drive CO₂ reduction innovation.
• Implementation of consistent, cost-effective, long-term policies and incentives to assist in bringing advanced technology vehicles to market. They believe a more stable policy landscape will promote investments.
• Create environments that promote collaborative development of technology choices and acceleration of innovation cycles. Greater choice in technology will help promote beneficial competition with a renewed focus on consumer acceptance.

Read the letter in its entirety here.