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G20 policymakers and international experts reiterate the value of international collaboration and policy actions to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of HDVs

25 Nov 2019

Transforming the transportation sector is crucial for the success of the sustainable energy transition and the protection of public health. To support the G20 economies in achieving these objectives, the governments of Japan, the United States, and the European Union continue to work in partnership with other G20 governments, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), and the (IPEEC) to enhance international cooperation on policies for clean and efficient heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) and improved vehicle emissions compliance.

The second in-person meeting of the G20 Transport Task Group (TTG) took place from October 28-30, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Attendees included representatives of eleven G20 economies (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union, Germany, India, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United States), five additional countries from the Asia-Pacific region,[1] and ten intergovernmental and nongovernmental organisations.

A key goal of the 2019 meeting was a strategic discussion of the group’s activities and vision for 2020. On the first day, the TTG took stock of the important progress made in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of vehicles in 17 countries. The ICCT provided an update on TTG-related activities in India, Argentina, and South Africa, which included a proof-of-concept adaptation of a vehicle simulation tool in India, HDV aerodynamic drag determination tests and on-road fuel consumption measurement in Argentina, and an analysis of policy pathways for cleaner fuels and vehicles in South Africa. Participants also had an opportunity to learn from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on how they are accelerating the deployment of zero-emission vehicles, and from the Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) on how they are closely working with cities on topics such as electric and shared mobility, logistics and construction, active travel and governance, and planning and coordination. These presentations were followed by an update from ICCT on the status of emission standards around the world and the opportunity for international harmonization of future emission standards from a Post-Euro 6/VI perspective. The day concluded with an interactive session for governments to brainstorm, discuss, and provide input on the next year of TTG activities.

The second day provided an opportunity for participants to hear about the latest transport innovations in the private sector. Industry representatives from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu, Saudi Aramco and SABIC provided an overview of the latest emission control technology. Participants enjoyed a technical tour to the production facilities of HINO, a major truck and bus manufacturer.

The third day focused on health and compliance. Experts shared the latest research on health effects of air pollution and the transport sector’s contribution to ambient air pollution. Participants discussed opportunities and challenges to further reduce transportation emissions in their regions, including world-class and next-generation emissions standards, urban mobility policies, in-use strategies to accelerate fleet renewal, and transitions to zero-emission technologies. In the afternoon session, experts also shared updates to international best practices on mobile source emissions compliance and enforcement, technical and testing methods for in-use compliance, and policy approaches to improve in-use emissions performance.

Meeting participants showed a strong sense of common purpose among policymakers, international experts, and the industry to scale up the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency and emission control measures in the transport sector.

Meeting documents including the agenda and presentations are accessible here. An outcome report of the meeting will be developed and circulated later this year.


The G20 Transport Task Group (TTG) was established in 2014 to serve as a voluntary platform for G20 countries to share experience and work together to improve the energy and environmental performance of motor vehicles, especially heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs). The group is co-led by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the European Union’s Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG-CLIMA). It is administered by the (IPEEC) and supported by two implementing organizations: the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI). Participation in the TTG is voluntary and open to all G20 economies. 


[1] Cambodia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Laos, and Singapore.