Daimler Trucks & Buses has announced a goal of achieving a CO2-neutral fleet of new vehicles by 2039 in key regions of the world.
Specifically, the commercial vehicle manufacturer aims to offer only new vehicles that are CO2-neutral in driving operation (tank-to-wheel) in the triad markets of Europe, Japan and NAFTA (i.e., the U.S., Canada and Mexico) by 2039.
“Having CO2-neutral transport on the road by 2050 is our ultimate goal,” notes Martin Daum, member of Daimler AG’s board of management and head of trucks and buses. “This can only be achieved if competitive conditions for CO2-neutral transport are created for our customers in terms of costs and infrastructure. As it takes about 10 years to completely renew a fleet until 2050, our ambition is to offer ‘tank-to-wheel’ locally CO2-neutral new vehicles in the triad by the year 2039.
“Truly CO2-neutral transport only works with battery-electric or hydrogen-based drive,” he continues. “We were the first manufacturer to seriously commit to electromobility in heavy trucks and, today, are pioneers and in all segments with electric vehicles in customer use. With our holistic approach to e-mobility in the bus sector, which consists of an electric city bus and consulting, we are already making a significant contribution to the locally emission-free public transport of the future and air pollution control in urban areas.”
Daum adds that CO2-neutral trucks and buses “won’t sell themselves, because even in 2040 – despite all efforts by manufacturers – the acquisition and total cost of ownership of trucks and buses with electric drives will be still higher than for diesel vehicles.”
“We, therefore, need government incentives to make locally CO2-neutral trucks and buses competitive,” he says.