C40's Laneshift: The Electrification of Freight Transport

According to the Global Commercial Vehicle Roadmap, cities need to be saturated with electric trucks by 2030 to meet the 2040 target of reaching 100% zero emission commercial truck sales.

Laneshift., an initiative created by C40 and The Climate Pledge, aims to partner with cities to help develop electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and the deployment of EV trucks across Brazil, Mexico and India.

Laneshift’s history

Laneshift was formed in 2023. Since then, it has worked to reduce emissions, clean the air, generate green jobs and create a just transition for workers.

The project provides technical assistance for cities to develop zero emission freight incentives and demonstrate that electric truck technology can be commercially viable in cities.

Laneshift works alongside city governments and businesses to overcome infrastructure challenges and with financial institutions to create foundations for future growth.

Its 2025 Impact Report shows how its initiatives can cut emissions and boost the transport sector.

Cassie Sutherland, Managing Director for Climate Solutions & Networks at C40 Cities, says: “Laneshift’s recent work has been transformative for zero-emission freight solutions across Latin America and India. 

“Through strategic partnerships, innovative pilot projects and targeted policy interventions, our report launched today details measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, alongside positive steps to create new, green jobs in the EV sector.”

Supporting the EV transition

Laneshift’s projects and coalitions aim to deploy electric chargers, test routes, train drivers and leverage performance data to validate use cases for different sectors.

Across Latin America, it has implemented 46 fast-charging stations to expand its e-freight capacity.

This directly supports the operation of an estimated 337 electric freight vehicles.

In India, Laneshift gathered commercial fleets to deliver a large-scale demonstration project across the country’s Bengaluru-Chennai corridor.

This demonstration involved deploying 20 heavy-duty electric trucks, which completed 600 trips and covered more than 200,000 kilometres.

This helped prove that electric trucks can match the transit times of diesel fleets.

Sarah Dimson-Tararuj, Head of Strategic Projects & Programmes at The Climate Pledge, says: “The first Laneshift Impact Report proves what’s possible when cities, businesses and climate organisations work together toward a common goal.

“In just two years, this initiative has moved from vision to measurable impact – putting more than 300 zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles on the road, reducing CO2 emissions, creating new jobs and building a growing network of charging infrastructure across Latin America and India.

“Through The Climate Pledge, we’re committed to continuing this momentum and helping to further unlock the transition to zero-tailpipe-emission freight at scale.”

Progress of the initiative

With a total of 357 EVs circulating across its regions, Laneshift’s efforts could reduce CO2 emissions by 3,215 tonnes each year.

This could avoid a cumulative 31,007 tonnes of CO2 by 2035, equivalent to the emissions from the electricity use of 6,462 American homes in a year.

Across Laneshift’s projects, more than seven tonnes of harmful air pollutants were reduced by December 2025, mitigating severe respiratory risks in highly populated urban transport hubs.

Laneshift’s progress shows the viability of electric-truck freight, demonstrating that EVs can operate successfully in real-world conditions while reducing emissions and air pollution.

The programme is also focusing on expanding EV charging infrastructure, showing the different efforts needed by cities to accelerate the transition to electric freight and wider EV adoption.