10 policy principles: What businesses need from governments to electrify faster

The We Mean Business Coalition outlines ten policy principles to help governments accelerate clean electrification by providing clear strategic direction, financial incentives, infrastructure investment, and regulatory standards. The framework emphasizes that while pathways vary by national context, governments must address system-wide barriers—such as grid connection delays and fossil fuel subsidies—to unlock large-scale business investment and enhance energy security.

• Governments can increase business confidence and investment by establishing clean electrification as a strategic economic priority through international cooperation (via G7, G20, BRICS, and UN) and domestic targets. For instance, France's 'Électrifions La France!' plan aims to increase electricity's share of final energy consumption from 27% to 38% by 2035 and install one million heat pumps by 2030.
• Financial barriers can be reduced by removing incentives for fossil fuels and utilizing risk-sharing mechanisms. Ethiopia has accelerated EV adoption by exempting them from VAT and excise tax, while India has used the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), with support from the World Bank and NITI Aayog, to provide on-lending facilities for electric two- and three-wheelers.
• Modernizing electricity systems and streamlining permitting are essential to prevent project delays and cost increases. Australia's AU$ 20 billion 'Rewiring the Nation' program invests in transmission, storage, and demand management, while South Korea has freed up approximately 5 GW of grid connection capacity by tightening oversight of speculative projects.
• Regulatory standards and industrial policies can drive market demand and secure supply chains. The EU's CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles create predictable demand for zero-emission trucks and buses. Additionally, integrating electrification into industrial strategies—supporting the domestic manufacture of batteries, heat pumps, and wind turbines—can reduce supply chain risks.

APA

Nelson, G., & Briner, G. (2026). 10 policy principles: What businesses need from governments to electrify faster. We Mean Business Coalition. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/10-policy-principles-what-businesses-need-from-governments-to-electrify-faster/

Chicago

Nelson, Gillian, and Greg Briner. 10 policy principles: What businesses need from governments to electrify faster. We Mean Business Coalition, 2026. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/10-policy-principles-what-businesses-need-from-governments-to-electrify-faster/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Nelson |first1=Gillian |last2=Briner |first2=Greg |title=10 policy principles: What businesses need from governments to electrify faster |publisher=We Mean Business Coalition |date=31 July 2026 |url=https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/10-policy-principles-what-businesses-need-from-governments-to-electrify-faster/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{nelson2026policy, author = {Nelson, Gillian and Briner, Greg}, title = {{10 policy principles: What businesses need from governments to electrify faster}}, institution = {We Mean Business Coalition}, year = {2026}, month = jul, url = {https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/10-policy-principles-what-businesses-need-from-governments-to-electrify-faster/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }