The Road Ahead: Accelerating Zero-Emission Heavy Transport through Bold Action and Collaboration

Commentary by Andreas Follér, Chief Sustainability Officer at TRATON

After five intense days at #ClimateWeekNYC, immersed in discussions with customers, investors, NGOs, and policymakers, the road towards zero-emission heavy transport seems clearer than ever. While there’s a shared enthusiasm for moving toward a more sustainable future, it’s evident that ambition must be matched with decisive action. We need an all-out push to ensure that zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (ZEHDVs) become the cornerstone of the transport industry.?

Aligning policy, market, and infrastructure?

A consistent theme throughout the week was the need to synchronize supply-side regulations with demand-side actions. Simply put: We need to align policy frameworks, market incentives, and infrastructure development to make zero-emission heavy transport feasible at scale.?

The transition to zero-emission heavy transport isn’t just about environmental responsibility—it’s about long-term competitiveness of businesses, nations and regions. Companies investing in ZEHDVs and associated infrastructure now will not only reduce their carbon footprint but also position themselves as future-ready in a market increasingly driven by sustainability concerns.

The business case for zero emissions

The choice is clear: adapt or fall behind. Regulatory pressures, rising consumer demand for low-carbon goods, and investor expectations are converging to make zero-emission technologies no longer optional, they are a necessity for survival.

Forward-thinking companies already investing in ZEHDVs understand that sustainability is no longer a cost center—but rather a strategic driver of business resilience and competitiveness.

The road ahead?

The consensus from Climate Week NYC is clear: the time to act is now. The technology is ready, the market is eager, and the policy framework is starting to take shape. What’s needed is a coordinated push to bring it all together. Only then can we achieve the timelines laid out in the Paris Agreement.?

I leave New York energized and with confidence that we have the momentum to drive this transformation. But it’s up to all of us to turn the discussions at Climate Week NYC into real-world action. The future of heavy transport is zero emissions. Let’s make it happen.?