As delegates gather in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the Accelerating to Zero Coalition has released the latest edition of the COP Progress Update, commissioned by the Breakthrough Agenda. For the third year in a row, this report provides a critical stocktake of global progress towards an accelerated zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) transition.
A transition at a pivotal phase
Over the past year, the transportation sector has navigated emerging challenges in the journey to decarbonization. Despite this, the global ZEV transition has entered a new era marked by both strong momentum and notable divergences in policy and market dynamics.
The ZEV Declaration covering light-duty vehicles (LDVs), and its counterpart for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), offer a framework for countries to align behind a single phase-out target for internal combustion engines, establishing a shared vision to catalyze a swift industry-wide shift. To date, 55 countries, representing 29% of global LDV sales, and 42 countries, representing 28% of MHDV sales, have adopted binding policies or set voluntary commitments to achieve 100% ZEV sales on a Paris-aligned target.
Yet a considerable gap remains between emission reduction potential of these commitments and the amount of CO2 needed to be avoided to align with Paris Agreement goals, underscoring the critical need for continued international collaboration.
Driving the next phase of the global ZEV transition
A remarkable trend is reshaping the global transition: emerging economies in Latin America and Southeast Asia are leapfrogging older technologies and embracing electric mobility at an accelerating pace. Brazil’s electric light-duty vehicle sales soared 143% between 2023 to 2024, with Colombia (127%) and Chile (116%) following close behind. This growth has been driven by fiscal incentives and fuel economy standards.
In Southeast Asia, Vietnam recorded a remarkable 35% EV sales share in the first half of 2025, driven by domestic manufacturer VinFast, while Thailand achieved 22% share with BYD capturing over a third of the market after inaugurating its first plant outside China.
Elsewhere, India has established itself as a global leader in electric 2- and 3-wheelers, commanding an impressive 57% of global electric 3-wheeler sales in 2024. Companies are capitalizing on this momentum, committing to transition their moped delivery fleet to electric. This synergy between government policy and private sector investment provides a powerful model for how emerging can build comprehensive market momentum from the ground up.
As the transition progresses, Nordic countries and the Netherlands are demonstrating how mature markets can shift from broad consumer subsidies to fiscally sustainable frameworks using “polluter pays” principles.
The road ahead
From the latest progress update, it’s clear the global ZEV transition is no longer a theoretical ambition but a dynamic reality. Advanced markets are evolving toward fiscally sustainable frameworks, while emerging economies are becoming major hubs through strategic incentives and local production.
While significant progress has been made, bridging the ambition gap to a truly Paris-aligned transition will require continued international collaboration through frameworks like the ZEV Declaration. As we head into Transport Day at COP30, the path forward is clear: the future of mobility is electric, and that future is arriving faster than ever.
Read the full COP30 Progress Update to explore detailed analysis and success stories from markets around the world.
