Navistar has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, a compilation of data acquired over the past 12 months that aims to advance the trucking company's goals towards more sustainable mobility and numerous decarbonization efforts.
The company emphasizes that sustainability is one of its "strategic pillars" to do its part in fighting climate change while, at the same time, improving its business practices for the betterment of customers, society, and the environment.
[Related: How to measure the full carbon footprint of electric trucks]
Some of the report's highlights include:
- Navistar committed to developing science-based targets consistent with the criteria of the Science Based Target Initiative.
- Navistar joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact initiative, solidifying the Company's commitment to sustainability. The UN Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles in human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
- Navistar conducted its first double materiality assessment in 2023 to evaluate and engage with stakeholders on various sustainability topic areas to determine those that are most relevant and important to the Company. Topics included climate change adaptation and mitigation, equal treatment and opportunities for all, working conditions, and management of supplier relationships.
- In July, IC Bus launched its next generation CE Series in both diesel and electric powertrain options. Since the initial launch of the electric CE Series in 2020, IC Bus has worked to educate dealers, technicians, and customers alike on the transition to electric.
- To help support the charging infrastructure development for zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), Navistar worked on partnering with industry stakeholders to launch Powering America's Commercial Transportation (PACT), a coalition focused on education and advocacy for accelerating the construction of nationwide infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs.
- Navistar began production of the new International S13 Integrated Powertrain at the Company's Huntsville, Alabama production facility.
"Sustainability initiatives open new areas of growth and opportunities in business developments, digitalization, and more efficient design thinking," said Mathias Carlbaum, President and CEO. "We are serious about helping our customers achieve their business objectives, and we understand clearly that the time is now to make bold moves on behalf of our planet and its people."
Carlbaum took part in an executive panel discussion last month at the ACT Expo that included top leadership from Volvo Trucks, Mack, Daimler, and Peterbilt. The panel's consensus was that ZEV technology and R&D is advancing quickly but it cannot be forced onto customers.
This past spring, Navistar announced it had passed the 100-dealer mark for electric vehicle sales authorizations, meaning over 30% of its dealers can sell and service International and IC Bus EVs.
