Project: Sino-German Cooperation on Decarbonising Freight Transport (CDFT)

The CDFT project organised a study tour for China’s Ministry of Transport (MoT) to participate in the Transport and Climate Change Week (TCCW) and meet with German ministries. During the study tour, the Chinese delegation exchanged views with German experts on promoting new energy vehicles, strengthening charging infrastructure, and advancing green logistics corridors. The discussions further revealed that, despite differences in regulatory approaches, both countries face similar challenges in expanding charging networks and integrating renewable energy. The delegation gained valuable insights and inspiration for future cooperation and policy learning advancing sustainable and inclusive mobility.

How can cities decarbonise freight transport while keeping deliveries efficient? As part of the CDFT project, the project team visited Suzhou in May 2025 to explore potential solutions. In meetings with the Suzhou Transport Bureau, local logistics companies, and the tech firm Zelos, discussions focused on green freight policies, unmanned delivery systems, and integrating clean vehicle fleets. The team also visited Taicang Port to observe intermodal freight operations. A key outcome: selecting a 240 km freight corridor for a case study to pilot zero-emission trucks and advance low-carbon logistics across the Yangtze River Delta.