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Zero Emission Freight Initiative Launched at WNEVC 2022 in Beijing

On 26th August 2022, GIZ together with Smart Freight Centre (SFC), Energy Foundation China and other institutes have co-hosted the Zero Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles Forum at the World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) 2022[1]. The Zero Emission Freight Initiative (ZEFI), industry voluntary platform, has been launched at the Forum.

At present, both greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutants from commercial vehicles account for a significant share of total emissions of the transportation sector. Promoting zero emission commercial vehicles is of great significance to achieve the goals of “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality” in the transport sector and improve air quality. Experts and representatives from domestic and foreign government departments, research institutions, companies and non-governmental organizations participated to exchange views on the innovation of zero vehicle emission technologies, pathways and policy recommendations that accelerate the application of zero emission vehicles, as well as experience and lessons learnt from pilot projects.

Mr Zhang Dawei, Deputy Director General of the Department of Atmospheric Environment of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Mr Jari Kauppila, Director of the Office of the Secretary General of the International Transport Forum (ITF), Ms Monahan Patty, Member of the California Energy Commission, and Mr Markus Becker, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action , delivered speeches for the Forum. Mr Becker introduced the German government’s efforts on reducing carbon emissions from freight transport, including the promotion of the electrification of commercial vehicles and trucks by granting incentives, the design of road toll scheme to privilege electric-driving, the construction of charging posts along highways and the promotion of dynamic overhead charging E-highway technology. Mr Becker highlighted that carbon reduction in the freight sector is crucial for decarbonising transport. This requires policy, technical and financial support, but also a change at the level of society as a whole.

Opening Speech by Mr Markus Becker, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action; Picture Source: WNEVC

During the Forum, the ZEFI has also been launched. ZEFI is a voluntary platform that aligns China’s freight industry (shippers, logistics service providers, carriers and suppliers), government agencies and supporting organizations (industry association, research institutes, foundations, development agencies, NGOs) efforts in achieving efficient and zero emission freight in China. The mission of ZEFI is to accelerate the adoption of zero emission trucks and related freight efficiency solutions in China by enabling

  • Collaboration between key stakeholders
  • Supportive policies, programs and strategies
  • Consensus building among stakeholders on Zero Emission Freight Vehicles (ZEFV) pathways for China

The SFC China functions as the secretariat for the ZEFI. GIZ via the CLCT project together with other 19 organizations from NGOs, industrial associations and private sectors are the core initiating members. GIZ will play a supporting role in the future program implementation. Based on the ZEFI platform, potential cooperation and influential events could be developed among partners. Mr Martin Hofmann, Head of Cluster for Climate, Environment and Biodiversity of GIZ, Mr Sebastian Ibold, Project Director of Sino-German Cooperation on Low-carbon Transport (CLCT) of GIZ, and Mr. Ling Xuan, Senior Technical Advisor of CLCT project of GIZ have participated the Forum and joined the opening ceremony of ZEFI.

Launching Ceremony of ZEFI with Core Members; Picture Source: WNEVC

The WNEVC 2022 was organized by China Association for Science and Technology and supported by Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Transport (MoT) and other relevant ministries. Six consensus points have been reached during the congress:

  • Promotion of electrification for the automobile industry
  • Accelerate the green and low-carbon development of commercial vehicles
  • Develop a safe and resilient supply chain for EV industry
  • Enhance the coordination on carbon asset management for automobile industry
  • Synergetic development between NEVs and its deeply connected smart energy, smart transport, and smart city new eco-system
  • Promote innovative and technical workforce development for the NEV industry

The congress has also awarded 16 Global NEV Cutting-edge and Innovative Technologies.


[1] Launched from 2019, the WNEVC is an annual event for global automotive transformation, upgrading and innovation development. It is the most influential annual congress in the field of new energy vehicles (NEV) in China.