The newly created US-China Clean Truck & Bus Forum has a well-defined goal and a multi-faceted plan to meet it. The goal:  Form a strong partnership between US and Chinese medium- and heavy-duty truck and bus industries, increasing US technology exports and encouraging cooperation around the increased use of clean technologies. The project is supported by an award from the US Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration (ITA).
 
Meeting the goal will be a win-win. Chinese policymakers want to move toward advanced truck and bus technologies because commercial vehicles are a major source of air quality, climate and energy security concerns. And, Chinese companies are eager to see high efficiency technologies because fuel costs are a large portion of their cost of doing business. For the US industries, making these connections may mean significant increase in demand for their products and services, as China is a growing market. Moreover, the expansion of the market for advanced truck and bus technologies should help drive continued innovation and cost reduction, creating a clear win-win for both China and the US.
 
The Forum will meet its goal through a multi-pronged approach. Two summits – one in Beijing, June 6-8, 2012 and the other in Shanghai in 2013 – will link top US and Chinese industry and government leaders. These events will focus on the benefits and market barriers of these technologies, along with the solutions for addressing the barriers.
 
In addition, CALSTART will produce a first-ever China Clean Truck Markets and Business Guide for US companies, supplemented with webinars throughout the year focusing on this exciting market opportunity.
 
“US companies are among the world’s leaders in hybrid, electric and advanced clean truck and bus technology,” says Bill Van Amburg, CALSTART Senior Vice President. “Through this program, there is strong potential for early component and system exports, as well as diverse partnerships.”
 
For more information on the Forum or to discuss partner opportunities, contact Jamie Hall, 510-307-8774. For more information on the Summit in June, contact Susan Romeo by email or calling 626-744-5686.

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