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Erica N. Guy

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About Erica N. Guy
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Erica N. Guy decided to stay in her hometown to begin her professional career in journalism. Since obtaining her bachelor's degree from UAPB, Erica has professionally written for several publications about several topics ranging from lifestyle, tech, culture, and entertainment, just to name a few. Continuing her love for her hometown, she joined our team in June 2023, where she is currently a staff writer. Her career goals include continuing storytelling through her writing by being the best professional writer she can be. In her spare time, Erica enjoys trying new foods, cozying up with a good book, spending time with family and friends, and establishing herself as a future businesswoman.

Posts by Erica N. Guy

FHWA announces millions in funds to repair US roads and bridges

By Erica N. Guy -

WASHINGTON — The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced that it is providing $729.4 million in emergency relief funds to 34 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to help repair or rebuild roads and bridges following natural disasters. “As the climate crisis accelerates, more Americans are feeling the consequences in the form of extreme weather that devastates communities and destroys vital infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These funds will help restore critical transportation connections across the country as communities continue to repair and rebuild infrastructure damaged by extreme weather.” The FHWA’s Emergency Relief Program also supports the United States Department of Transportation’s priority of addressing climate change by providing funding to help states repair after natural disasters, according to a news release. The 2022 flooding in and around Yellowstone Park, 2022’s hurricanes Ian, Fiona and Nicole, 2023 flooding and mudslides in Vermont, along with other disasters across the country, are just a few examples of natural disasters that have devastated parts of the country. In many areas, ongoing efforts to rebuild continue. The given funds will allow the selected states to reconstruct highways and bridges damaged by the reasons mentioned, protect the traveling public from further damage and dangers and allow for resiliency improvements as damages are being repaired, the news release notes. “Climate change is devastating communities across the U.S., in every state. Our transportation system was not designed to handle the climate impacts we are seeing in the 21st Century,” said FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “Since January 2022, FHWA has distributed over $1.3 billion in Emergency Relief dollars to help states make repairs because of climate-related events. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing new programs and funding opportunities to help our transportation system be more resilient to climate change and get people and goods where they need to go safely.” The states and U.S. territories that will receive program funds include: Alabama — $10 million Alaska — $6.9 million Arizona — $36.8 million Arkansas — $5.3 million California — $124.2 million Colorado — $2.6 million District of Columbia — $133,944 Florida — $223.2 million Hawai’i — $24.4 million Idaho — $1.9 million Kentucky — $12.2 million Louisiana — $7.3 million Michigan — $2.2 million Minnesota — $ 3.9 million Missouri — $10,611.78 Montana — $28.2 million Nevada — $7.3 million New Jersey — $13.1 million North Carolina — $12.2 million North Dakota — $5.6 million Ohio — $2.6 million Oklahoma — $65,131.18 Oregon — $22.8 million Pennsylvania — $23.1 million Puerto Rico — $32.9 million South Carolina — $12 million South Dakota — $1.5 million Tennessee — $13.1 million Texas — $3.8 million Utah — $7.9 million Vermont — $37.7 million Virginia — $11.5 million Virgin Islands — $217,033 Washington — $23 million West Virginia — $6.8 million Wisconsin — $243,000 Wyoming — $1.3 million

J.B. Hunt expands board to 10 members

By Erica N. Guy -

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. has announced that Patrick Ottensmeyer is the newest member of its Board of Directors. This appointment has expanded the number of board seats to 10. Ottensmeyer is the third new board member since 2021 for J.B. Hunt and will serve on the board’s Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. He brings more than 17 years of rail industry experience to the board, according to a news release. Ottensmeyer also brings more than 17 years of rail industry experience to the company’s board. He served as president and CEO of Kansas City Southern (KCS), a Class I railroad, from 2015 to 2023, until the completion of the merger creating Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) in 2023. From 2008 to 2015, he was executive vice president of sales and marketing at KCS and served as executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer at the railroad from 2006 to 2008. Ottensmeyer served as the U.S. Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) from 2019 to 2023. In this role as leader of the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, he was “instrumental in representing business interests during the formation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) from 2017-2020,” the news release noted. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; for The Greenbrier Companies, a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets; and for Watco Companies, a single-source transportation and supply chain services company with locations throughout North America and Australia. Ottensmeyer is co-chair of the Brookings Institute USMCA Initiative and chair of the Truman Library Institute. He received the North American Rail Shippers Association Edward R. Hamberger Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 and was the recipient of Ingram’s Executive of the Year Award the prior year. Also in 2022, he and Keith Creel, then president and chief executive officer of Canadian Pacific (CP), won Railway Age’s Co-Railroaders of the Year Award, in connection with the CP and KCS merger. He received the Railway Age Railroader of the Year recognition for the first time in 2020 and was the recipient of Progressive Railroading’s Railroad Innovator Award in 2019. Last year, Persio Lisboa joined the board following his retirement in 2021 as president and CEO of Navistar, Inc., a global original equipment manufacturer in the transportation industry. His 35-year career included extensive senior executive experience with Navistar. Prior to his top leadership role, Lisboa served as executive vice president and chief operating officer from March 2017 to July 2020 and president of operations from November 2014 to February 2017. He was named the company’s chief procurement officer in 2011 and vice president of purchasing and logistics in 2008. Prior to these roles, Lisboa held multiple management positions within Navistar’s North American and South American operations. Thad Hill was elected to the board in 2021. He is CEO of Calpine Corporation (Calpine), one of the nation’s largest independent competitive power companies operating power plants and retail businesses in 22 states and Ontario, Canada. Hill has led Calpine since 2014, when he was promoted from president and chief operating officer to his current position. Prior to joining Calpine, Hill was executive vice president of NRG Energy and president of NRG Texas, where he was responsible for NRG’s largest regional business.

Wreaths Across America announces 2024 theme

By Erica N. Guy -

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Wreaths Across America (WAA) has chosen “Live with Purpose” as its 2024 holiday season theme. According to a news release, the theme was “inspired by the remarkable stories of WAA volunteers whose work has been impactful in the surrounding communities as a beacon of inspiration for all.” WAA Executive Director Karen Worcester created a video, which can be seen by clicking here, to share her thoughts on why this theme is so important to the organization.  “Over the course of the last year, and then especially on the escort to Arlington last December, I listened to people who had gone through great adversity, and they’d taken that adversity and turned it around as a call to action to spend the rest of their lives making sure that every day was meaningful and that they lived with purpose,” she said. “For me, to live with purpose is a mindset.” This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14. For almost 32 years, WAA has gathered millions of volunteers and veterans to pay tribute to fallen service members and their families by placing wreaths at the gravesites in the country’s national cemeteries. As part of the “Live with Purpose” theme, WAA will also share monthly videos as a series and corresponding lesson plans starting in February that discuss the 10 bouquets that make up a veteran’s wreath. In 2023, more than 3 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones at 4,225 participating locations worldwide. WAA volunteers work year-round to “Remember, Honor and Teach,” with each name spoken out loud to acknowledge the sacrifices made by veterans for the nation’s freedom. Those interested can follow volunteers and supporters using the hashtag #LiveWithPurpose and tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio, available on the iHeart Radio app, TuneIn and the Audacy app — or listen at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio. This is a free event open to all, and the organization encourages community members to participate by volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath for an American hero. For more information, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and to follow the process, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/Home/News/1081.

DAT adds 2 to leadership team

By Erica N. Guy -

BEAVERTON, Ore. — DAT Freight & Analytics (DAT) announced the appointment of two new leaders for its product and security organizations. Jeff Clementz has been appointed as DAT’s chief product officer and Erika Voss as DAT’s vice president of information security, according to a news release. Clementz has 25 years of experience in the industry. The news release notes that he “has success in managing networks and marketplaces, fraud, payments and e-commerce platforms, which aligns with DAT’s mission to make it easier for freight carriers, brokers and shippers to do business together.” “As we scale DAT and use AI to help customers address their most urgent and complex challenges, we welcome Clementz’s product thought leadership and capabilities to lead and bring innovative technology products and services to market,” said DAT President & CEO Satish Maripuri. Clementz was most recently the president and chief executive officer at Shift, an e-commerce platform for the auto industry. He has also worked as senior vice president and general manager of Walmart’s Marketplace, where he was responsible for building the retail giant’s foundational commerce platforms. He also held product and operations positions in leadership at PayPal and Intel. As for Voss, DAT officials say her “vision and expertise will be integral to DAT’s commitment to ensure DAT Systems are at the forefront of the best cyber security possible, given the growing threats of cybercrime, which will make a great impact on our network governance and our fight against fraud.” Voss previously was vice president of security and engineering at Capital One, a Fortune 500 financial services corporation. She led all facets of security and engineering, including policies, procedures and best practices for application security, access control, authentication, third-party risk management and intrusion detection, according to the news release. Voss has also held information security leadership positions at Salesforce and Oracle. “Trust is a core foundation in DAT culture and products,” Maripuri said. “I’m excited to have Erika join DAT and lead our information security initiatives to ensure that DAT delivers the most trusted marketplace for freight.”  

California senators announces more than $168M for EV charging infrastructure

By Erica N. Guy -

WASHINGTON — California Democratic U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler announced in a joint news release that California was awarded $168.5 million for the deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative fueling infrastructure. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “As California leads the charge toward an electric-vehicle-powered future, we must make sure EV charging and refueling stations are broadly accessible to drivers across the state,” said Senator Padilla. “That means investing in public charging sites across major corridors, urban neighborhoods, and rural and low-income communities. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re deploying more of the technology needed to make EVs accessible to all Californians.” Ten applicants across California received charging and fueling infrastructure grants, including: San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District: $56 million. This project includes the construction of two state-of-the-art truck charging sites in Taft and Gustine to support two of the nation’s busiest freight corridors. City of Blythe: $19.6 million. This project will develop a publicly accessible, multi-class, EV charging facility in Riverside County. Bay Area Air Quality Management District: $15 million. This project will create a more robust, accessible, and equitable electric vehicle charging network across nine counties in the San Francisco Bay area, with an emphasis on serving disadvantaged communities. San Joaquin County: $15 million. This project will significantly expand public charging infrastructure in disadvantaged communities and implement a robust community outreach and workforce development program. County of Contra Costa: $15 million. This project will expand and fill gaps in public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the county, including in local public libraries, and serving rural, low-income and disadvantaged communities. City of Palmdale: $14.8 million. This project will install chargers within walking distance of affordable housing and resulting in higher expected utilization rates. County of Ventura: $12 million. This project includes the construction of charging centers and off grid EV charging with solar battery storage while creating EV workforce development programs and promoting outreach to marginalized communities. Victor Valley Transit Authority: $12 million. This project will implement multiple clean energy transportation upgrades that serve disadvantaged communities. Cal State LA University Auxiliary Services, Inc.: $7.2 million. This project will transform the Cal State LA Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility into a high-capacity, multi-modal light- to heavy-duty vehicle hydrogen fueling station. City of Eureka: $1.9 million. This project will create new electric vehicle charging sites at strategic community hub locations and will expand the EV charging network by connecting rural Northern California and historically disadvantaged communities. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law continues to pay dividends for the people of California and usher in a clean energy future for the next generation,” said Senator Butler. “This investment in our state’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is a huge win for communities across the state fighting for a greener, sustainable tomorrow.” Additional information about the grants is available here.

American Trucking Associations launches compensation survey

By Erica N. Guy -

WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has announced the opening of its 2024 ATA Driver Compensation Study. “The Driver Compensation Study is an invaluable and one-of-a-kind benchmarking tool,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “In order to get as accurate a picture of industry trends as possible, we rely on input from a large cross-section of motor carriers to provide detailed information about the many pay structures, benefits packages, incentives and bonuses provided to the industry’s most valuable resource: professional drivers.” Previous versions of the Driver Compensation Study saw more than 180 fleets representing more than 135,000 employee drivers and almost 20,000 independent contractors participating. Data collected is broken down by industry segment to show a clear view of how trucking companies pay their drivers and how much they pay. Participants in the survey are eligible for a 93% discounted copy of the 2024 ATA Driver Compensation Study and other benefits. To participate and review the benefits that come with participating, please visit https://www.trucking.org/driver-compensation-study. Participants should complete and return the survey to [email protected] by March 29.

Vanguard Truck Centers now 1 of Volvo Trucks’ largest dealer groups

By Erica N. Guy -

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America has announced that its independent authorized dealer Vanguard Truck Centers, a full-service commercial truck dealer group and leasing operation, has acquired Nacarato Truck Centers to become one of Volvo Trucks’ largest dealer groups in North America. According to a news release, the acquisition expands Vanguard’s presence to 28 Volvo full-service and parts-and-service-only locations across 11 states — Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Vanguard assumed full ownership of the Nacarato locations, including all existing stock and parts.  “This acquisition is not just about numbers — it’s about joining two exemplary dealer groups to implement best practices, bolster synergies and continue growing customer satisfaction, expanding customer access to the seamless support and services they have come to expect from both dealer groups,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “At Volvo Trucks, our commitment to excellent customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We commend Vanguard for going beyond expectations, delivering not just trucks but comprehensive, best-in-class service solutions that maximize uptime for our customers and empower them with transportation solutions that keep their businesses moving forward.”   With the completion of the acquisition of Nacarato Truck Centers on Jan. 8, Vanguard now has more than 1,200 employees. All 28 Volvo Trucks dealership locations are also Certified Uptime Dealers, providing customers with access to almost 500 service bays to ensure efficient preventative service and thorough maintenance to maximize uptime and keep trucks on the road.    “We are thrilled to welcome Nacarato Truck Centers to the Vanguard team,” said Tom Ewing, president and chief executive officer of Vanguard Truck Centers. “I have been friends with Mike Nacarato and his team for many years, and I have a tremendous respect for the platform they’ve built. We are grateful for Mike’s trust in Vanguard to steward his company moving forward, something we do not take lightly. Bringing together our dealer groups will be a fun challenge, with enormous opportunity for employees and customers of both organizations. Lastly, this investment indicates Vanguard’s continued belief in Volvo Trucks’ long-term positive trajectory, with best-in-class products and services for our customers.”   Representatives of both dealership groups say they recognize that battery-electric trucks are an important part of the future of trucking and have invested in the required training and certification program to become Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealers. Vanguard recently announced that its sales and service teams are fully trained to support customers’ Volvo VNR Electric deployments at five locations — Phoenix, Arizona, Atlanta (Forest Park); Charlotte, North Carolina, and Austin and Houston.  “I have been searching for the right partner over the last few years, and through that process it became clear that Vanguard was the best fit for our employees, our customers and our growth aspirations.” said Mike Nacarato, chief executive officer, Nacarato Truck Centers. “Our commitment to customer satisfaction remains unwavering throughout this ownership transition and nothing will change for our customers. Our capabilities and offerings will only be enhanced by this combination, as we embark on this new chapter of growth and success together.”  

Truckstop: Flatbed bolstered spot rates in the latest week

By Erica N. Guy -

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Broker-posted rates for van equipment in the Truckstop system continued to fall after the holiday surge during the week ended Jan. 12 (week two), but total market rates moved higher due to the largest increase in flatbed spot rates since March 2022. According to a news release, flatbed rates were the highest since late September. Despite steady declines over the past two weeks, dry van rates are still about 3 cents higher than they were during the week before Christmas while refrigerated rates are 20 cents higher. Total loads Total load activity rose 21.7% after surging nearly 52% following the holidays. Total volume was down about 13% compared to the same 2023 week and was about 28% below the five-year average. Truck postings increased 25.3%, and the total Market Demand Index — the ratio of loads to trucks — eased from the prior week but otherwise was the highest since the week of the International Roadcheck inspection event in May. Total rates The total broker-posted rate increased more than 2 cents after falling more than 7 cents during the prior week. Although spot rates are 5 cents below where they were during the final week of 2023, they otherwise were the highest since the week that included Labor Day. Rates were nearly 8% below the same 2023 and more than 5% below the five-year average. Dry van rates Dry van spot rates declined 5 cents after easing more than 1 cent during the previous week. Rates were about 8% below the same 2023 week and about 10% below the five-year average. Dry van loads rose 16.6% after jumping nearly 43% in the previous week. Volume was 23% below the same 2023 week and more than 29% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated rates Refrigerated spot rates fell nearly 10 cents after dropping more than 10 cents during the prior week. Rates were more than 5% below the same 2023 week and more than 6% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated loads increased 10.3% following increase in each of the three most recent weeks. Volume was nearly 13% below the same 2023 week and about 24% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed rates Flatbed spot rates rose 6.6 cents after ticking up more than 1 cent during the previous week. Rates were 9% below the same 2023 week and less than 4% below the five-year average. The y/y comparison was the least negative since the final week of 2022. Flatbed loads rose 33.6% after more than doubling during the prior week. Volume was 5% below the same 2023 week and around 34% below the five-year average for the week.

Indiana Toll Road crash leaves tow truck driver dead

By Erica N. Guy -

LAGRANGE COUNTY, Ind. — According to the Indiana State Police (ISP), a tow truck driver died on Thursday on the scene of a big rig accident along the Indiana Toll Road. In his preliminary investigation, ISP Trooper George Youpel stated that city workers were at the scene cleaning a gas spill and removing a semi-truck from the center median at mile marker 114.2 after an earlier, unrelated crash. The ISP report states that the driver of a 2021 white Dodge Ram towing an enclosed trailer lost control as it traveled eastbound, went through the median, and sideswiped the tow truck that was parked on the inside shoulder of westbound lanes. After hitting the tow truck, the Dodge continued eastbound in the median, striking the tow truck driver and the semi from the earlier crash. This second accident caused what is believed to be non-life-threatening injuries to a worker with the remediation company cleaning the diesel spill. However, the tow truck driver who was struck, identified as Martin Troyer, 63, of Sturgis, Michigan, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The family of Troyer was notified of his passing. The driver of the white Dodge Ram was identified as Umidjon Abduazizov, 31, of Brooklyn, New York. ISP determined that speeding in the current weather conditions was the factor of the crash, not drugs or alcohol. Roads at the time of the crash were slick, and ISP troopers were working on other crashes that had occurred during the morning from the snowfall from the previous night and that morning. The left lane of westbound traffic was restricted for crash investigation and removal of vehicles but reopened at approximately 1:45 p.m. When the investigation is complete, all necessary information will be given to the LaGrange County Prosecutor’s Office for review.  

Drivewyze launches free safety service app for truck drivers

By Erica N. Guy -

PLANO, Texas — Drivewyze has a new service app that delivers essential in-cab safety messages to all commercial truck drivers. The new service, dubbed Drivewyze Free, provides fleets and drivers with safety alerts and advisories in advance of any and all risky areas on the roadway ahead, according to a news release. The alerts and advisories are sent to telematics electronic devices. Drivewyze officials say they created the service app to provide truckers across North American freight corridors with heads-up warnings for high-rollover risk areas, low bridges, mountain alerts (steep grade ahead; chain-up/brake check stations and runaway ramps) and rest area information. The app also provides real-time message sets that can include warnings for sudden and unexpected slowdowns, virtual safety signs and public emergency broadcasts. “This is a monumental day for our company, our safety partners, and the industry,” said Brian Heath, CEO of Drivewyze. “In collaboration with our telematics and transportation agency partners, we are excited to be giving this essential safety service to the trucking industry at no cost. There are no strings attached. We’re a safety-driven company joined by like-minded agencies and telematics partners to leverage vehicle-to-infrastructure networks to improve highway safety for everyone. We know many of our Essential Alerts and Advisories modify behavior – drivers slow down and apply less hard braking. It makes them safer behind the wheel. We’re hoping all fleets will utilize this free offering to give their drivers technology that can truly make a difference to their safety.” According to the press release, with Drivewyze Free, users also have “access to agency-sponsored real-time traffic slowdowns and other safety alerts generated in partnership with select state transportation and enforcement agencies through the Drivewyze Smart Roadways highway safety program for connected trucks.” Participating state departments of transportation are: New Jersey New York North Carolina Georgia Delaware Connecticut Ohio Texas Arkansas Virginia In addition to the DOTs, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is participating, as is the Colorado State Police and Wyoming Highway Patrol. Drivewyze says it also wants to partner with additional state transportation and enforcement agencies. According to Heath, studies have shown that essential safety alerts and advisories do foster safer roadways. “Unsafe driving behavior is a leading cause of truck crashes,” he said. “Messaging delivered in the vehicle, where and when drivers need it most, shows the power of connected truck technology to positively affect driving behavior. For instance, when approaching a high-rollover area, we have data that shows our alerts have reduced speed by an average of 7.3 mph for those that are going more than 5 mph over the posted speed limit. That’s an impactful difference and an example of the power of in-cab messaging to improve driver behavior and highway safety.” A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study shows that interstate crashes represent nearly 30% of all collisions. Many of those are secondary incidents where a tractor-trailer or car rear-ended another vehicle that was involved in the first crash. The NHTSA study also shows that 46 percent of secondary crashes occur over an hour after the first. “Advance notice for routes experiencing sudden or unexpected traffic slowdowns give truck drivers time to prepare,” Heath said. “In North Carolina, where we partnered with the North Carolina DOT, studies found that 70% of drivers that received an alert slowed down ahead of an incident. And the slowdown was significant — on average by 11 mph compared to 2 mph in a control group.”

Daimler Truck, TORC select Aeva to supply advanced CMV 4D LiDAR

By Erica N. Guy -

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Aeva and Daimler Truck AG have jointly announced that Daimler Truck selected Aeva as the supplier of long and ultra-long-range LiDAR for its series production autonomous commercial vehicle program. According to the announcement, the selection represents Aeva’s first major automotive OEM production design win and is the result of multiple years of extensive collaboration and qualification with Daimler Truck, Torc and Daimler Truck North America. As a direct supplier to Daimler Truck, Aeva is positioned to be a Tier 1 supplier to automotive OEMs globally. The collaboration of the two companies will see Aeva supply its latest Aeva Atlas automotive-grade 4D LiDAR technology to Daimler Truck. Then, a collaboration with Torc Robotics, Inc. (Torc) to enable SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicles capabilities. This step will start with the Class 8 Freightliner Cascadia truck platform. Joanna Buttler, head of Global Autonomous Technology Group at Daimler Truck, said: “Daimler Truck is committed to leading the industry’s advancement toward autonomous trucks. Selecting the right LiDAR technology is a crucial strategic decision to safely deploy autonomous trucks on the road. We are convinced that Aeva, with its cutting-edge and reliable technology, is the right production partner for LiDAR sensors and has the manufacturing capabilities to scale along with us. Today’s announcement, therefore, represents a key puzzle piece on our path toward commercialization. Together with Torc, we are well on track to offer autonomous trucks to the U.S. market by 2027.” So far, Daimler Truck and Torc have made significant progress in turning autonomous trucks from an idea into reality by running extensive and successful on-road test programs as well as first customer pilots. Peter Vaughan Schmidt, CEO at Torc Robotics, added: “Aeva is pioneering the commercialization of FMCW LiDAR technology, a key differentiator for long-range detection and object identification. This means Torc’s virtual driving software can now rely on significantly higher resolution as well as farther and clearer detection of objects plus instant velocity detection, which are crucial to safely deploy autonomous trucks at scale. We have been working closely with the Aeva team over the past few years and we are excited about the real-world performance that Aeva’s technology has already demonstrated to help us solve some of the most challenging highway-speed use cases.” To maximize the all-around safety of the autonomous trucks, all of them are equipped with sensor sets from a combination of three technologies: State-of-the-art LiDAR Radar Camera technology This enables safe handling adapted to the respective situation on highways, surface roads and ramps, as well as when turning at controlled intersections., company officials say. Daimler Truck also intends to integrate the LiDAR sensors by inserting it directly into the production process, allowing customers looking to buy autonomous-ready trucks directly from the manufacturing plants without the need for sensors to be reprogrammed. Torc will, in turn, sell its virtual driver technology and support services as a subscription to customers. Torc’s driving software combined with Aeva’s perception software, both built around Aeva’s instant velocity data will allow sensors to detect objects faster, farther away, and with higher accuracy. This collaboration is set for multiple years and begins sometime in the first quarter of the year. Aeva’s start of production is scheduled to begin by 2026 and Daimler Truck’s production by 2027. “Daimler Truck is one of the most reputable commercial vehicle OEMs in the world. Our partnership with Daimler Truck and Torc Robotics is trailblazing the next era of commercial trucking, with safe, autonomous trucks that will revolutionize the industry as we know it,” said Soroush Salehian, co-founder and CEO at Aeva. “We are pleased to be selected for this major production supplier award and it is a testament to the hard work, innovation and tenacity of the entire Aeva team as we cross another critical milestone in Aeva’s path to leading the industry with our unique FMCW technology and perception solution.”

Massachusetts doles out $100M to enhance municipal transportation infrastructure

By Erica N. Guy -

BOSTON — The Massachusetts governor’s office has distributed $100 million to 351 cities and towns across the state to support the improvement of local infrastructure. The money is being funneled through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). “Our administration said from day one that we were going to make sure that Fair Share revenue was used to improve transportation and education for our communities, as the voters intended,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “This funding is particularly impactful because we are empowering cities and towns to decide how to use it to address their unique needs. We are grateful to the Legislature for making this funding available and look forward to seeing how the municipalities will use it to strengthen their communities.” With the funds, each community will receive a variety of sums of money that are based on two formulas: the first $50 million is to be distributed using the traditional Chapter 90 formula based on local road mileage (58.33%), population (20.83%) and employment (20.83%), according to a news release. The second $50 million is to be distributed using a formula based on each municipality’s share of road mileage. For a better understanding of the apportion of funds, here are some examples: The purpose of the apportionment of the funds is to automatically incorporate into a municipality’ existing Chapter 90 contract with MassDOT with no further action required by the municipality. Apportionments for all communities are available online at www.mass.gov/chapter-90-program. The funds, which come from the revenue that was generated by the Fair Share Amendment, are now available for municipal use. “As a former mayor, I know how much our cities and towns rely on state funding to support the infrastructure needs of their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This funding will be a critical boost for them to move forward on projects like bridge preservation projects, improving Regional Transit Authority service, and expanding multi-modal pathways.”

Operation leader, 10 others plead guilty in human smuggling case

By Erica N. Guy -

LAREDO, Texas — A Texas woman has pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme to illegally transport hundreds of foreign nationals within the United States and conspiracy to launder proceeds of illicit human smuggling, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani has announced. According to court documents, Erminia Serrano Piedra, 32, conspired with at least 14 other members of a human smuggling organization. “Piedra led that facilitated the unlawful transportation and movement of hundreds of migrants within the United States and harbored and concealed the migrants from detection by law enforcement authorities,” a news release states. “The migrants were citizens of Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia, and they or their families paid members of the organization to help them travel illegally to and within the United States.” The organization used drivers to pick up migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border and transport them further into the United States, often harboring the migrants at “stash houses” along the way. Drivers for the human smuggling organization used various methods to transport migrants, including by hiding them in suitcases placed in pickup trucks and by cramming migrants into tractor-trailers, covered beds of pickup trucks, repurposed water tankers and wooden crates strapped to flatbed trailers. “The methods the organization used to transport migrants placed their lives in danger as they were frequently held in confined spaces with little ventilation, which became overheated, and were driven at high speeds with no vehicle safety devices,” according to the news release. Members of the organization commonly referred to the migrants as “boxes,” “packages” or “pieces.” Typically, the fee paid to the organization was approximately $8,000, with $3,000 paid upfront to smugglers in Mexico and the remainder paid once the migrants entered the United States. According to Hamdani’s office, payments were routed through various accounts all over the United States, and the money from those accounts was then transmitted to the leaders of the organization. According to her plea agreement, Piedra admitted to stating during the course of the conspiracy that she made a lot of money from her involvement in human smuggling and was going to continue making a lot of money in the years to come. She also stated that she had been doing this “for a lifetime already” and was not planning to retire. Piedra also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in financial transactions designed to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership and control of ill-gotten proceeds of illicit human smuggling. “The leaders of the organization recruited and utilized straw recipients to accept human smuggling proceeds in the recipients’ bank accounts and then transferred the proceeds to the leaders under the pretense of work payments,” the news release states. “The others also incorporated businesses and opened business accounts to transfer the human smuggling proceeds. Additionally, co-conspirators recruited individuals in the construction industry who accepted human smuggling proceeds in the form of cash in exchange for checks from the recruited individuals’ business bank accounts.” The superseding indictment in this case also notices the criminal forfeiture of two properties belonging to Piedra with current estimated values of $2,275,000 and $515,000 that were purchased with the illicit proceeds of human smuggling. Serrano is also agreeing to a money judgment of $942,537.00. Piedra is scheduled to be sentenced April 10 and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Ten others previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme. Kevin Daniel Nuber aka Captain, 42, and Laura Nuber aka Barbie, 41, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport aliens, placing in jeopardy the life of any person and conspiracy to harbor aliens for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain. Christine Dangler, 46, Lloyd Bexley, 53, Jeremy Dickens, 47, Juan Manuel Hernandez Cordova, 46, David Scott Tallant, 54, Katie Ann Garcia, 40, and Abraham Geber Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport and move aliens, placing in jeopardy the life of any person. Oliveria Campuzano Piedra, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor an alien for profit. The co-conspirators are awaiting sentencing.

SCC Truck Driver Training Program graduates 10

By Erica N. Guy -

DOBSON, N.C. — Surry Community College‘s (SCC) Truck Driver Training Program in North Carolina ended 2023 by graduating 10 students at the Yadkin Center. The students are now qualified to take the commercial driver’s license (CDL) test. The graduates, all from North Carolina, include: Andrew Walls of Mount Airy Eric Hernandez of Dobson Dylan Ball of Jonesville Andrew Booth of Yadkinville Cornelius Chandler of Jonesville Kendell Cook of Statesville John Daley of Pinnacle April Hicks of North Wilkesboro Trenton Ryan of Millers Creek Jayce Weston of North Wilkesboro Jeffrey White of Elkin One graduate, Andrew Booth, was not able to attend the ceremony. “With a shortage of up to 12,000 truck drivers in North Carolina and as many as 200,000 nationally, CDL-certified drivers will easily be able to find jobs,” the U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement. The department is also expecting the profession to keep growing by 6% during the decade between 2020-2030. According to SCC President Dr. David Shockley, “There are currently job openings for truck drivers locally and nationally. We developed this program as a direct response to the requests from local truck driving representatives who need skilled applicants to fill job vacancies.” According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median pay for a truck driver is $47,100 per year, and drivers with experience can make more than $50,000 annually. The SCC Truck Driver Training Program’s next class begins on Wednesday, March 13, and ends on Thursday, May 16. The class will meet every week  from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and online meetings each Friday. Admission requirements include an official driving record, physical examination, reading placement test score of 40 or higher, disclosure form, high school transcript and drug testing. A mandatory orientation session is also scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13. All events and classes take place at SCC’s Yadkin Center. Tuition is $1,999 and some students may qualify for a tuition scholarship. To register for the class, visit surry.edu/truck. More information is available by contacting the Yadkin Center at (336) 386-3580. Ten students, all from North Carolina, graduated from Surry Community College’s Truck Driver Training Program on Dec. 12, 2023. Pictured in front row, left to right, are: Instructor Jake Rhodes; John Daley of Pinnacle; Cornelius Chandler of Jonesville; Kendell Cook of Statesville; Jayce Weston of North Wilkesboro; April Hicks of North Wilkesboro; and Jeffrey White of Elkin. Picture in back row, left to right, are: Instructor Charles Jester; Andrew Walls of Mount Airy; Eric Hernandez of Dobson; Dylan Ball of Jonesville; Trenton Ryan of Millers Creek; Instructor Dale Myers; and Instructor Jamie Brown. Not pictured is Andrew Booth of Yadkinville. (Courtesy: Surry Community College)

PA awards nearly $40M in grants to help replace diesel fleets with electric vehicles

By Erica N. Guy -

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is awarding 16 applicants more than $39.6 million, funded by the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries, to replace diesel-fueled fleets with zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) as a part of the 2022-2023 Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant. Part of the Driving PA Forward program, this grant was developed under the Shapiro administration to improve air quality statewide by driving transformation from older, high-polluting diesel engines to clean transportation technologies. “Clean air is crucial in ensuring a healthy environment,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “That’s why we see it as our mission to address one of the most significant air quality challenges facing our Commonwealth—emissions from transportation. These recommendations mark the highest-dollar awards in any round, for any Driving PA Forward Initiative funding program, showing a step forward in Pennsylvania’s effort in reducing these emissions by getting more clean trucks on the road in the communities that need them.” DEP is awarding $39,605,578.58 to 16 applicants for the battery-electric replacement of dozens of vehicles, including home delivery trucks, refuse/recycling trucks, terminal tractors, and the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle replacement of two terminal tractors and their supporting charging infrastructure. The 2022-2023 Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Pilot Grant also focuses on funding projects located in underserved and disproportionately impacted communities, such as Environmental Justice and Act 47-designated communities. Applicants awarded funding include: Borough of Munhall – $1,681,008 Replace (3) eligible Class 8 refuse collection trucks with (3) battery-electric refuse trucks Install (1) DC fast charger with (3) charging plugs City of Chester – $1,575,074 Replace (3) eligible Class 8 refuse collection trucks with BEVs Install (1) DC fast charger and (2) Level 2 EV charging plugs City of Erie – $3,120,000 Replace (5) eligible Class 8 refuse collection trucks with BEVs Install (1) Level 2 and (3) DC fast EV chargers Day & Ross USA Inc. – $1,883,161 Replace (5) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs Install (2) DC fast EV chargers Freight Equipment Leasing LLC – $2,162,177 Replace (6) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs Install (4) DC fast EV chargers Legend Equipment Leasing LLC – $2,304,394 Replace (5) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs Install (3) DC fast EV chargers Loomis Armored US LLC – $1,322,109 Replace (6) eligible Class 6 armored trucks with BEV trucks Install (3) EV chargers Pennsylvania State University – $3,305,011 Replace (5) eligible Class 6 and Class 7 box trucks with BEV box trucks Install (4) DC fast EV chargers and one Level 2 EV charging plug at (3) home-base locations across the main campus PGT Holdings Inc. – $3,289,500 Replace (10) eligible Class 8 short-haul tractors with (8) battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and (2) hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) Install (8) DC fast charger plugs and will maintain (2) mobile hydrogen fueling units Pro Disposal Inc. – $6,190,500 Replace (16) eligible Class 8 refuse trucks with BEVs Install (16) DC fast charging plugs Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority – $1,684,462 Replace (6) eligible freight and delivery trucks with BEV trucks Install supporting EV charging infrastructure SQ Trucking, Inc. – $523,221 Replace (4) eligible Class 4/5 home delivery step vans with battery-electric vehicles (BEV) Sysco Leasing LLC – $3,975,000 Replace (10) eligible Class 8, short-haul, semi-tractors with BEVs Install (10) DC fast charging plugs Tri-County Industries Inc. – $2,785,505 Replace (5) eligible Class 8 refuse trucks with BEVs Install (3) Level 2 EV chargers and (1) DC fast EV charger Watsontown Trucking Co. – $1,799,620 Replace (5) eligible Class 8 freight trucks with BEVs Install (2) DC fast EV chargers Wilsbach Distributors, Inc. – $2,004,833 Replace (5) eligible beverage delivery vehicles with BEVs Install (2) DC fast EV chargers

Remote Area Medical receives donated truck from Transport Enterprise Leasing

By Erica N. Guy -

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Transport Enterprise Leasing (TEL) has donated a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia to Remote Area Medical (RAM) to power the nonprofit’s free pop-up clinics, according to TEL CFO Victor Duggard. The truck, valued at $85,000, will be used to transport RAM’s mobile clinic to locations throughout regions where the charity provides medical, dental and vision care to the uninsured and underserved. “There is a tremendous need for medical services for individuals without insurance or the money to get medical services in our society. This is where RAM fills the void,” Duggard said. “Partnering with a great organization like this is a great way for us to give back in our community.” Founded in 1985, RAM has recruited more than 196,000 volunteer providers and support staff over the years to treat nearly 1 million people, delivering free health care services valued at more than $195 million, according to the organization’s estimates. Some clinics provide care through on-site providers, while others deliver care via telehealth services in Tennessee. “RAM is grateful for this generous donation from Transport Enterprise Leasing,” said RAM COO Chris Hall. “This commercial truck will allow us to continue to provide free, quality health care to those in need across the United States. “As we expand our services and number of clinics, our fleet of tractor-trailers becomes an ever-growing, important aspect of delivering the care that countless individuals are seeking,” he continued. “Barriers exist for our patients in many different ways. With this truck, we are able to continue to remove those barriers that stand in the way of access to healthcare.” Dozens of clinics are scheduled for the coming months in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and in states as far away as Alaska. For more information about RAM, click here.  

Omar Shamsie joins Odyssey Logistics as CCO

By Erica N. Guy -

DANBURY, Conn. —  Odyssey Logistics has appointed Omar Shamsie as its new chief commercial officer. Shamsie will focus on driving strategic sales growth, vertical market development and cross-sell initiatives to deepen customer relationships and drive new business. “Bringing Omar on board is a significant step for us. His expertise aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate our enterprise clients’ operations and serve them more strategically,” said Hans Stig Moller, CEO of Odyssey Logistics. “Omar’s approach is not just about technology; it’s about understanding and solving the real-world complexities our clients face,” Moller continued. “With his leadership, we’re poised to deliver more holistic solutions and proactive support, helping our clients navigate market challenges with confidence.” Before joining Odyssey, Shamsie worked at Maersk a global integrated logistics company. During his three decades of service there, he rose through the ranks, holding several senior international leadership positions in 10 different countries. He was most recently the area managing director of Maersk in Canada. Before that, he was president of Maersk Line’s North America region, based in New Jersey. A statement released by Odyssey describes Shamsie as “a people-first leader who is very customer focused.” He attended the advanced management program at Duke University in North Carolina and the executive leadership program at Stanford University in California. “Odyssey leads the industry in providing multimodal solutions, and I’m eager to help our clients boost their supply chain operations,” Shamsie said. “What drew me to Odyssey is its adaptable approach — providing several options and value-adding solutions to clients.”

Iowa 80 celebrates 6 decades of serving truckers

By Erica N. Guy -

WALCOTT, Iowa — The Iowa 80 Truckstop is making 2024 a year of celebration, marking the 60th anniversary of the opening of what is now known as “the world’s largest truckstop.” Here’s the scoop, according to the folks at the Iowa 80 Group: Humble beginnings It all began in 1964, when the Iowa 80 first opened its doors. Since then, it’s been 21,915 days (or 525, 600 hours, if you’re counting), and the the truck stop has been always open, providing a safe, welcoming place for those needing a break from the road. Bill Moon, entrepreneur and founder of the Iowa 80, loved to sit at the counter in the restaurant and visit with drivers, asking about their families, their lives and what they needed while on the road. Moon took those suggestions to heart and started adding different amenities to the truck stop to provide for those needs. The Iowa 80 began as a small building with six diesel pumps and a 50-seat restaurant at what would become Exit 284 on Interstate 80. Moon had located the spot for Standard Oil before the interstate was even complete. The company built and opened the truck stop in 1964, and Moon took over management a year later, in 1965. Years passed, Interstate 80 was completed and hundreds — then thousands — of truck drivers and other travelers stopped by Iowa 80 to fuel up, grab a bite to eat and then head on down the road. In 1984, the owner of Standard Oil (now Amoco) decided it was time to sell the facility, and Moon jumped at the opportunity. He and his wife, Carolyn, leveraged everything they had to purchase the future “world’s largest truckstop.” A true entrepreneur, Moon went on to found Truckomat Truck Washes and the CAT Scale Co. Once the Moon Family owned the Iowa 80, they expanded the building and added services as needed. Now, after 32 expansions and remodels, the Iowa 80 is overseen by the second generation of the Moon Family, who have dedicated their entire lives to providing a home-away-from-home for the thousands of travelers who stop by every day. ‘The world’s largest truckstop’ In addition to 42 gas and diesel fueling positions at the main building and 34 high-speed diesel pumps for truckers at the fuel center, today’s Iowa 80 includes a convenience store, a gift shop, a custom embroidery and vinyl shop and the Super Truck Showroom. Travelers can choose from many restaurant options. Along with the Iowa 80 Kitchen, a full-service dine-in restaurant with an enormous buffet, the truck stop features Wendy’s, Dairy Queen, Orange Julius, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Einstein Bagels and Caribou Coffee, Blimpie and Chester’s Chicken. Truckers can take advantage of an on-site dentist, a barber shop, a chiropractor, a workout room, laundry facilities, a 60-seat movie theatre, a trucker’s TV lounge, 24 private showers, a seven-bay truck service center, a three-bay Truckomat truck wash, a CAT Scale, a Dogomat Pet Wash and much more. “It is really amazing to have reached this milestone,” said Delia Moon Meier, daughter of founder Bill moon and the company’s senior vice president. “We are so fortunate to have such wonderful, dedicated employees and loyal customers.” Visitors can also enjoy a tour, free of charge, of the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum. An avid collector of antique trucks, Moon bought his first antique truck — a 1919 International — from a scrap yard down by the Mississippi River in the early 1970s after he overheard a driver lamenting that the facility was preparing to crush some old trucks. The driver believed old trucks should be preserved — and so did Moon. After that initial purchase, Moon made it his mission to purchase a variety of old trucks with the hope that he could someday open an antique truck museum and share the history of trucking in America with the world. While Moon passed away before seeing his mission through, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum opened in 2008 and was dedicated to his memory. The museum now features more than 100 antique trucks along with vintage signs, gas pumps, antique toy trucks and other trucking memorabilia. In addition to serving professional drivers and other travelers 24/7/365, the Iowa 80 hosts one of the nation’s largest truck shows. Each July, the Iowa 80 presents the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, a three-day event dedicated to celebrating America’s truckers. Last year, attendance hit a record 56,000 people. “Without professional truck drivers, trucks stop. Without trucks, America stops. We appreciate their hard work, and the Walcott Truckers Jamboree is our way of saying ‘thank you,’” Meier said. The Iowa 80 Truckstop currently serves over 5,000 customers per day and offers well-lit parking spaces for 900 tractor-trailers, along with 250 parking spaces for cars and 20 parking spaces for buses. According to a statement from the Iowa 80, the truck stop is always open. In fact, the statement notes, “there are no keys to the doors, as none have ever been needed.” The Iowa 80 employs more than 500 people in the Walcott area. There are even a few families that have worked, generation after generation, at the truck stop. Not only has Iowa 80 been a place to refuel, refresh, and relax for the past 60 years, but it has also been an important part of the Walcott community. “Over 500 people work at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, and many are family; brothers, sisters, fathers, sons, daughters, mothers and cousins are all part of the team. Maybe that’s why Iowa 80 has such a welcoming feel,” according to the press release. For more information about Iowa 80, click here or follow the Iowa 80 on Facebook.

Georgia attorney takes jab at autonomous trucking, questions safety

By Erica N. Guy -

DALLAS — Georgia attorney Amy Witherite, founder of a law firm that specializes in vehicle accident cases, is concerned about the dangers of driverless vehicles on the road. Witherite said her warning is in response to the recently-opened trucking facility in Villa Rica, Georgia, created to serve autonomous trucks driving the high-traveled Dallas-to-Atlanta corridor.  “We have already seen problems with both autonomous trucks as well as vehicles such as Tesla with an autopilot feature,” Witherite said. “The danger and severity of accidents will be multiplied a hundredfold when the accident involves a tractor-trailer versus a car.” Those involved with the Georgia facility, including the Pilot Company, have assured the public that safety is their top concern. “Pilot Company rigorously tests ways to integrate new technologies, including autonomous trucks, to maintain our safety-first focus and continue fueling the trucking industry,” said Brandon Trama, director of strategy and business development at Pilot Company. “Working with Kodiak aligns with our emphasis on improving the quality of life for professional drivers. Autonomous trucks focus on the long, repeatable highway miles, leaving the more enticing local, first- and last-mile deliveries for professional drivers who can stay closer to home.” Witherite said she worries about recent reports of autonomous vehicles causing unnecessary risk to the public. The California Department of Motor Vehicles shut down its cruise autonomous taxis in the San Franciso area after being involved in several incidents and declared an “unreasonable risk to the public.” Tesla has also recalled more than two million vehicles sold in the U.S. alone to update software and fix a defective system. “Individuals injured in a crash with an autonomous vehicle will face a much more difficult time determining who was at fault and will be responsible for deaths, serious injuries or property damage,” said Martin Futrell, an attorney with the Witherite Law Group. “The amount of finger-pointing between various parties will increase tenfold because of all the technology involved.” Earlier last month, the Washington Post reported about vehicle crashes involving Telsa. “The crash is one of at least eight fatal or serious wrecks involving Tesla Autopilot on roads where the driver assistance software could not reliably operate,” according to a Post analysis of two federal databases, legal records and other public documents. “The first crash occurred in 2016, when a Tesla plowed under a semi-truck on a U.S. route in Florida. The most recent was in March when a Tesla on Autopilot failed to slow down, police said, and hit a teenager stepping off a North Carolina school bus at 45 mph.” Witherite said that anyone who has ever experienced the so-called “blue screen of death” on their computer understands that computers, which control autonomous vehicles, can fail.” “Even something as simple as placing a sticker on a sign can confuse sensors, and there has been a high-profile case where a Tesla did not recognize a giant tractor-trailer truck crossing a highway, leading to a fatality,” she said. “Any litigation that arises from this type of accident will require a new level of expertise from attorneys and a wide range of experts in computers, software, sensors and all of the other technology that goes into creating an autonomous vehicle.” Witherite added that it can be expected for defendants to claim their technology is proprietary or seek confidential settlements that will make it more difficult for plaintiffs to access key information needed to determine liability. “We have already seen attempts in Congress to limit the amount of information that is available through binding confidential arbitration in these types of cases,” she said. “While it is clear that new technology has made driving safe, there is also clear evidence this technology has not been perfected to the point where it is safe to operate autonomous vehicles, especially tractor-trailers at high speeds within a few feet of other vehicles, and innocent drivers and passengers may well pay the price.”

DHL Supply Chain adds 50 electric yard rigs to its fleet

By Erica N. Guy -

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — DHL Supply Chain (DHL) and Orange EV have announced the ownership and operation of 50 electric yard trucks.  Orange EV manufactures heavy-duty electric trucks, with more than 1,000 trucks deployed across 36 states, according to a news release. DHL estimates that operating 50 electric yard trucks in lieu of diesel eliminates more than 2,500 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, which creates a healthier environment for drivers, site personnel and surrounding communities. Orange EV trucks average more than 98% uptime compared to 70-80% uptime for diesel, increasing operational efficiency. Any additional benefits range from reduced fuel, maintenance and repair costs to increased driver safety and satisfaction. Eight years after the first Orange EV truck was deployed commercially into the trucking industry as the first heavy-duty electric truck commercially deployed. “We deeply appreciate our partnership with DHL Supply Chain, now spanning eight years and 50 trucks. When DHL Supply Chain leaned in to purchase Orange EV’s very first electric yard truck, they single-handedly advanced the heavy-duty EV industry,” said Wayne Mathisen, CEO and co-founder of Orange EV. “Hundreds of other companies have now also made the move to electric since DHL has proven through years of testing and data that EV yard trucks save money and improve operations while eliminating emissions.” DHL was Orange EV’s first customer in October 2015 and re-ordered the following year. Now, Orange EV trucks are deployed to over 30 DHL supply chain sites nationwide. The company has also committed to phasing out diesel yard trucks by 2025 and reducing its logistics-related greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. “We cannot ignore the impact our operations have on the environment as a logistics company, and therefore, we are committed to implementing more sustainable approaches to doing business,” said Stephan Schablinski, vice president of GoGreen, DHL Supply Chain. “Through partnerships with companies like Orange EV we have been able to develop innovative solutions that reimagine the industry of logistics and take us closer to a green future.” Orange EV provides a turnkey yard truck solution with a matched-pair truck and charging system, built to meet site specifications. With three battery pack sizes, multiple charging speed options, and dozens of other configurable elements, fleets can obtain the optimal electric yard truck solution that fits within existing electrical infrastructure. “DHL Supply Chain’s first two Orange EV orders are a great example of how we work together to right-size a fleet’s EV projects to economically meet site specifications and rigorous duty cycles,” said Kurt Neutgens, Orange EV co-founder, president and CTO. “DHL Supply Chain first purchased an Extended Duty truck and charger, then later added a Standard Duty truck that utilized the existing charger. The site had plenty of capacity for Orange EV’s low-voltage trucks, and DHL’s well-trained, committed team maximized opportunity charging to keep both trucks running at peak efficiency.” Another company by the name of Diageo was the first customer of DHL Supply Chain to receive EV yard trucks in operation at their warehouse facilities. The trucks have individually accumulated more than 24,000 and 17,000 hours of usage while still using their originally installed battery packs. “Eight years ago we were excited to bring electric yard trucks into our Plainfield bottling site. This was possible thanks to our partnership with DHL Supply Chain, and we are proud to share the goal to create a sustainable, low-carbon future,” said Lucy Fishwick, vice president of Logistics at Diageo North America. “This is a great example of collaboration with our suppliers prioritizing new technologies and electric vehicles that have contributed in our efforts to decarbonize our operations.” Those first trucks are still in regular operation and have lasted longer than many diesel yard trucks, which are often used for just five years or 15,000 hours before maintenance and repair costs become prohibitively expensive, the news release noted. In its deployed fleet, Orange EV currently has 35 trucks exceeding 15,000 hours of operation — 14 of which have surpassed 20,000 hours — with many more that will cross those thresholds soon. DHL Supply Chain plans to double its current electric yard truck fleet, ultimately deploying 100 Orange EV emission-free trucks.