Equipment & Tech

COLUMBUS, Ind. — ACT Research has published its latest edition of North American Commercial Vehicle OUTLOOK. In the publication, ACT Research reported that, apart from Class 8, the predictions for trailers and Classes 4-7 vehicles remained unchanged. “Not only did April build not slow in the face of tough freight fundamentals, falling backlogs, and near-record inventories, production of Class 8 vehicles came in well ahead of expectations. Still strong production and an upwards adjustment to our inventory-carrying assumptions boosts 2024 output while reducing 2025,” according to Kenny Vieth, ACT’s President and Senior Analyst. “The uptick in 2024 expectations into worsening conditions is a coin toss: we may miss the timing, but shallower sooner or deeper later appear to the options,” he added. “Class 8 overcapacity persisting longer in 2024 and weighing more heavily on carrier profitability is not just a risk to Class 8, but also to the trailer forecast. If current market demand reflects EPA’27 prebuying, that prebuying comes at the expense of better freight rates sooner. While over-the-road carriers are under considerable pressure, we would be remiss not to note that vocational truck markets are in better shape than tractor markets, though even here, inventories are getting extended.” Several areas of strength persist in the Class 8 market, yet: For-hire carrier profits have plummeted to their lowest since 2010. Amidst the cycle’s nadir, capacity has only increased without any rationalization. This expansion of capacity has driven freight rates to recessionary levels, exacerbating the downturn. Moreover, the economy’s recovery rate is progressing at roughly half the GDP growth rate of over 4% seen in the second half of 2023.  

ANKENY, Iowa — Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) has partnered with trucking companies to promote soy-based fifth-wheel lube pads. Soybean producers persist in seeking opportunities to diversify markets for soybeans and their products while also addressing the increasing demand for environmental sustainability. The recent collaboration between the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) and various trucking companies exemplifies the dual advancement of these goals.  The STC conducted a promotional initiative in which it provided trucking companies and farmers throughout the country with free samples of soy-based fifth-wheel lubrication pads that are produced by Gear Head Lube, a Cedar Falls, Iowa-based manufacturer of environmentally sustainable lubricants. “These products have been in existence for a number of years, but given the STC’s extensive relationships within the transportation sector, we concluded we could play a meaningful role in increasing the awareness and the utilization of these soy-based fifth wheel lube pads,” explains Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.  “Unfortunately, there can often be a significant delay between the development of an innovative and effective product and the widespread utilization of it.  The STC’s goal of this project has been to increase awareness and the motivation to use these soy-based fifth wheel lube pads so that the benefits can be more accelerated.” The soy-based fifth wheel pads, square in shape and measuring three by three inches with a thickness of half an inch, are applied by hand at the nine and three o’clock positions on the fifth wheel. Once the trailer is connected, the grease from the pads disperses evenly around the fifth wheel, creating no mess. These pads, which are made of more than 80% U.S. soy, are recognized in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Certified Biobased Product program. “At Ruan, we examine each aspect of our business to identify opportunities to implement more sustainable practices,” says Mike Elliott, Technical Maintenance Operations Manager for Ruan.  “The use of soy-based fifth wheel pads is one such example.  These pads are very effective, easy to use, and affordable.  And as a product listed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Certified Biobased Product program, they are better for the environment.  We look forward to expanding our usage of this product across the fleet in the future.” The STC leveraged its connections in the trucking and agricultural industries to broadly disseminate free samples of the pads for personal testing across various truck fleets. Ruan, a leading family-owned transportation management firm in the country, collaborated with the STC to assess the pads for its fleet. “Farmers are always looking for opportunities to use products derived from the soybeans we grow,” says Chris Brossart, a soybean farmer from Wolford, North Dakota, and chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council and the Soy Transportation Coalition.  “I have utilized the soy-based fifth wheel lube pads on the trucks at our family farming operation.  They are incredibly easy to use and are very effective.  Finally, they are a great example of how soy products continue to provide sustainable solutions for our environment.” The 2024 edition of trucking industry trends, statistics, & forecast can be found here.

SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Distributed energy infrastructure company ElectricFish has a new manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters in San Carlos, California. The company builds and deploys intelligent grid edge charging solutions to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, especially in areas with grid constraints. In addition, the company’s solutions help prepare communities for increased power outages due to climate change, according to a news release. “California has some of the country’s most ambitious goals for electrifying transportation and providing resilient infrastructure to support historically disadvantaged communities. ElectricFish’s innovative products will help California meet its bold clean transportation goals while creating new manufacturing jobs in California,” said David Hochschild, vchair of the California Energy Commission (CEC). Supported in part by $1.69 million in grants from the CEC, ElectricFish’s new facility will immediately start producing the company’s flagship product, the 350Squared fast charging system. The company plans to expand its employee base by 300% by April 2025, with a range of new positions including engineers, electricians and technicians, the news release notes. “ElectricFish is tackling the need for more high-speed EV charging and doing it in a way that is easier on the grid and can be deployed faster, while also creating new manufacturing jobs right here on the Peninsula in one of the industries of the future. We need a lot more innovators like ElectricFish in the fight against climate change,” said California State Sen. Josh Becker. The National Park Service, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have completed successful pilot projects with ElectricFish. “These projects demonstrate the system’s abilities to unlock DC fast charging in grid-constrained sites in days instead of years, while also providing backup energy for critical onsite loads,” according to the news release. “Their patented smart optimization software also reduces peak energy consumption, helps use on-site solar to charge EVs, and even earns revenue from participating in utility programs.” In addition to receiving grants from the CEC, the company has also received funding from the Department of Energy –Cradle to Commerce, Caltech Rocket Fund, Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, 2023 Oxford Seed Fund and 2023 Third Derivative. “For the first time, we’re introducing an energy asset that boosts grid security while reducing the costs of deploying extremely fast EV charging,” said Anurag Kamal, CEO of ElectricFish. “We understand that customers and communities value future-proofing their energy infrastructure with products that make reliable, resilient power available to everyone. Manufactured domestically in the US, we are here to deploy infrastructure faster than anything the industry has ever seen.”

DENTON, Texas — Peterbilt has rolled out its new CARB low nitrogen oxide (NOx) compliant PACCAR MX-13 engine in the Models 579, 567 and 589. According to a news release, this engine meets the CARB Omnibus Regulation and features redesigns of internal hardware and the aftertreatment system to effectively reduce NOx emissions. “The larger volume aftertreatment system includes an innovative compact twin assembly featuring a 48-volt generator located in the flywheel housing, and an electrical heater located in the inlet to provide lower NOx output,” the news release states. “The internal hardware now features a larger volume mixer, longer selective catalytic converter (SCR) and an improved and more durable NOx sensor design with increased longevity for improved uptime. These features allow Peterbilt customers to achieve increased engine efficiency and fuel economy while continuing to meet stringent CARB emissions regulation.” The CARB low NOx compliant PACCAR MX-13 engine combines a diesel powertrain with next-generation technology. It is available with a flat torque curve providing performance across a wider range of RPMs for drivability and fuel economy. This includes a high performance 510-horsepower rating with 1,850 pound-feet of torque and an efficiency focused rating of 455-horsepower and 1,650 pound-feet of torque between 900 and 1,325 RPM. “PACCAR MX engines were engineered for reliability and fuel economy in a comfortable, quiet and powerful package. The new CARB low NOx PACCAR MX-13 engine offers the same great features with a reduced carbon footprint for our customers,” said Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt chief engineer. Peterbilt Models 579, 567 and 589 with the CARB low NOx compliant PACCAR MX-13 engine are available for orders now. For more information, click here.

TORRANCE, Calif. — 32GROUP, the distributor for ZM Trucks’ zero-emission battery electric and fuel cell electric commercial vehicle products in select markets of West Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe, placed its first 900-unit truck order with ZO Motors North America for sales in their region during the recent Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas. In a June 5 press release, 32GROUP stated that it plans to become the top supplier of new energy commercial vehicles in the region using ZM Trucks’ intelligent, zero emission vehicle platforms, which “not only offer emission benefits but also reduce noise, improve driver comfort, and assist transport companies in complying with ever-increasing regulatory requirements.” In addition to solutions for charging infrastructure, 32Group says it will provide a complete range of support services. The parties are further exploring joint ventures with KD manufacturing to service the region.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) and service lifecycle management (SLM) firm Tavant are working on a new project to, as a news release describes, “transform DTNA’s service operations and enhance customer experience and dealer productivity.” Aiming to find a cutting-edge solution to bring its service operations warranty system up-to-date, DTNA officials decided that merging its system with Tavant’s SLM would modernize the system with the addition of advanced features for its users, the news release notes. “We are excited to expand our global partnership with Daimler through DTNA,” said Sarvesh Mahesh, CEO of Tavant. “Our AI-driven SLM solutions will empower DTNA to achieve their innovation objectives and drive forward with enhanced efficiency. This partnership reaffirms our commitment to providing advanced, customer-centric solutions to deliver value-driven outcomes and support DTNA’s strategic goals. By integrating GenAI technology, we aim to transform and future-proof their service operations, ensuring they remain leaders in the industry.” DTNA stands to gain from the code prediction feature that leverages text and the Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) code analysis for precise code selections, enhancing the dealer experience and standardizing coding practices, according to the news release. “With a successful partnership of over a decade, Tavant has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver AI-first service lifecycle management solutions that align with Daimler Truck Group’s long-term strategic vision,” said Vikas Khosla, CRO of Tavant. “Partnering with Tavant allows Daimler Truck Group to leverage the latest technology and transform their service operations. This collaboration aligns with their commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancement and delivering unparalleled value to their customers.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Dynamic speed management provider E-SMART has rolled out a new safety feature: The E-SMART Seat Belt. Customizable by fleets, E-SMART Seat Belt detects if the driver is not wearing the seat belt and limits (or slows the vehicle) to a predetermined speed, according to a news release. “We saw the statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that 69.3% of the drivers who died in crashes in 2022 were not wearing seat belts as heartbreaking,” said Joe Thell, senior vice president at E-SMART. “When asked by fleets to help solve this problem, we knew that our technology could make a difference in having drivers wear their seat belts. With E-SMART Seat Belt, we can detect and monitor seat belt use under different conditions. The fleet can then provide the operational rules of what happens under each condition.” E-SMART Seat Belt addresses seat belt non-compliance in a variety of circumstances such as: General driving — When a driver is not wearing a seat belt the vehicle will not go above a nominal, set speed. These instances are also captured in an event report. Inside speed-controlled geofenced zones — Fleets can create custom parameters for zones (i.e. limiting speed). Reporting is also available for events in geofenced zones. Seat belt malfunction, or if it is removed while the vehicle is in motion are also part of the comprehensive and flexible solution. “Announcing E-SMART Seat Belt as the summer traffic season begins and national safety initiatives such as Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement campaign has just concluded is timely,” Thell continued.  “We are pleased to do anything we can to help raise awareness and reduce injuries and fatalities that could be avoided by simply buckling a seat belt. “E-SMART Seat Belt is just one more example of how our incredibly powerful Dynamic Speed Management technology can be applied in unique ways to improve driver and public safety.”

AVON, Ohio — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is set to launch an optimized version of its ADB22X air disc brake in the second half of the year. According to a news release, Bendix redesigned the air brake’s geometry by removing the weight from the caliper and carrier, making the ADB22X the lightest air disc brake (ADB) assembly on the market. The launch is tailored specifically to the needs of line haul and other lighter-duty applications. “The introduction of the newly optimized ADB22X-LT brake is just the latest in a series of evolutionary steps for the Bendix ADB22X, North America’s leading air disc brake on Class 6-8 commercial vehicle wheel-ends, which is a constantly changing brake,” the news release states. “As mentioned in the release, the changes in 2019 “included coupling the ADB22X with Bendix’s longest-life air disc brake friction without sacrificing performance.” “To meet their lighter-duty needs, fleets and owner-operators wanted a lower-weight air disc brake with all the performance, safety and maintenance advantages of the original ADB22X,” said Mark Holley, director of marketing and customer solutions, wheel-end, at Bendix. “Our new, optimized version delivers a premium braking solution capable of meeting a wide range of these needs, including line haul. The lower weight — a reduction of 7.2 pounds — per wheel end, or 28.8 pounds for a 6-by-4 or 6-by-2 configuration, translates into increased payload capacity and improved fuel efficiency. When you add in the improvements we’ve made to the ADB22X in the past few years, the result is a brake that makes sense both on the road and from the perspective of total cost of ownership.” According to the release, the lightweight design of both ADB22X and the new tractor version ADB22X-LT will reduce stopping distance and extends the brake system life. “Our focus, as ever, remains squarely on constantly evolving our products to meet the industry’s needs,” Holley said. “In the case of air disc brakes, that includes driving out weight and operating costs while increasing the options – such as the ADB22X engineered for lighter-duty applications – we make available to our fleet partners. We listen closely to these partners, as together we work to shape tomorrow’s transportation.” For more information about Bendix air disc brakes, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit www.bendix.com.

LAS VEGAS — Powered trailer company Range Energy recently debuted its next generation electric-powered trailer system, the RB-01, at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas. The RB-01 is the next iteration in Range’s series of trailer systems with initial tests yielding 47-67% miles-per-gallon (mpg) improvements, equivalent to a 32-40% reduction in fuel costs, a news release states. Notably, during its transit to ACT, the tractor towing the RB-01 achieved 18.1 mpg during the final 281.6 miles between Bakersfield, California, and Las Vegas. The results from this trip included a 2,000-foot net elevation gain and 12,000 feet total of climbing with ambient temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The electric-powered trailer system includes an e-axle, 200 or 300 kWh battery pack and a smart kingpin. It’s built with hardware and software components that are sourced from Range’s supply chain partners, company officials say. Improved results shown by the RB-01 highlight Range’s continued progression of its trailer system to ease the transition to electric for fleet owners and operators, and in doing so, significantly reduces emissions and improves the efficiency of fleets’ diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks in the near-term. “Decarbonizing commercial transportation is reliant on companies like Range that can innovate quickly and efficiently as well as make an immediate operational impact without disruption,” said Ali Javidan, CEO and founder of Range. “The RB-01 represents a natural evolution in our technology development and continued efficiency and emissions reduction improvements that are critical today for the commercial transportation industry. We’re committed to trailers serving as the necessary gateway to electrification, but also being a long-term partner for fleets as they future-proof their operations.” Range debuted its first 53-foot electric-powered trailer, the RA-01, in May 2023, which demonstrated up to 37% (+3.25) mpg gains. Range has also announced several customer pilots including DB Schenker and Dot Transportation Inc., underscoring notable commercial traction in the market thus far.

BOSTON — Clean transportation nonprofit CALSTART has a new addition to its no-cost partnership program: The Mass Fleet Advisor Program. The program is designed to help commercial fleets plan for a smoother and more feasible transition to zero-emission trucks through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, according to a news release. “Medium-and heavy-duty vehicles produce a significant amount of carbon pollution and cost a lot of money to fuel and maintain,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “MassCEC often hears from businesses and nonprofits that are determined to electrify their fleets but are overwhelmed by the process. Our Mass Fleet Advisor program has a proven track record of breaking down these barriers, and that’s why we’re tripling the number of organizations we can assist with no-cost technical expertise and roadmaps to achieve fleet electrification.” Each fleet participating in the program has data on its vehicles, which allows the consultant team to perform energy modeling and make vehicle recommendations through the onsite electric infrastructure and solar assessments for the electric vehicle infrastructure analysis. “We are thrilled to provide free, personalized electrification assistance to private and nonprofit fleets,” said Jennifer Kritzler, Regional Deputy Director, Northeast, for CALSTART. “With support from our partners, this program will prove to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in transitioning to clean medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the state.” Once the analysis is achieved, a personalized Fleet Electrification Report, which includes overviews of electric vehicles and infrastructure, total cost of ownership profiles short-and long-term electrification recommendations, and more, is prepared. Although the program does not offer capital to help with the transition to electrification, the Environmental Protection Agency is developing programs, such as the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, that can assist prospective buyers. Purchases of any electric vehicles are not required to participate in the program.