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Cargo Transporters adopts camera monitor system

CLAREMONT, N.C. — Cargo Transporters, a truckload, dry van carrier, has announced the adoption of Stoneridge’s MirrorEye Camera Monitor System (CMS). According to a news release, the CMS is designed to provide the driver with a more complete view of operating conditions over traditional truck mirrors. “This milestone marks a significant advancement in the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing road safety and operational efficiency,” the news release states. “MirrorEye offers numerous advantages over conventional mirrors, including improved visibility in all weather conditions, reduced blind spots and enhanced night vision. By providing a wider field of view, the system greatly improves drivers’ ability to detect and respond to road hazards.” Dennis Dellinger, president and CEO of Cargo Transporters, said the new system will enhance the overall visibility around the truck during normal driving, backing and night driving. “After testing MirrorEye for a year and collecting driver feedback, we have chosen this to be our next investment in on-highway truck technology to assist our drivers,” he added. “We have already started fleet installations on all new vehicles going into service and will retrofit vehicles that were pre-wired over the last year in anticipation of our adoption of the system.” The adoption of MirrorEye is part of Cargo Transporters’ safety program. “We are proud to partner with leading fleets, such as Cargo Transporters, to deliver cutting-edge technology that enhances safety and redefines the driving experience,” said Jim Zizelman, president and CEO of Stoneridge. According to the news release, drivers whose trucks are equipped with the MirrorEye system have reported significant improvements in situational awareness and comfort. “The difference is night and day,” said one of Cargo Transporters’ drivers, Sheila Hudon. “MirrorEye not only gives me a better view of what’s around me, but it also reduces strain.”

E-SMART says its technology has reduced bridge strikes for 2 major carriers

INDIANAPOLIS and NASHVILLE — Dynamic speed management provider E-SMART on Monday shared performance results of low bridge collision prevention technology at the Truckload Carriers Associations’ 2024 conference in Nashville. According to the company, two leading carriers are reporting a 100% reduction in bridge strikes. “With all bridges in North America that are under 13-ft 6 inches geofenced in our system, we are helping US and Canadian fleets tackle the issue of bridge strikes,” said Joe Thell, senior vice president at E-SMART. The results from carriers prove the effectiveness of using the E-SMART Dynamic Speed Management technology to solve an urgent problem. The savings from eliminating bridge strikes by identifying low clearance bridges and providing real-time alerts to drivers are adding up quickly.” Among the growing number of fleets adopting E-SMART low bridge collision prevention solution, Arnold Transportation Services and Navajo Express have reported bridge strike incident reductions and cost savings directly attributable to E-SMART technology, according to a news release. Arnold Transportation Services After experiencing bridge strikes costing about $6,000 each, Arnold Transportation Services has had a 100% reduction in low bridge collision events since installing the E-SMART solution across its entire fleet. Navajo Express Prior to using E-SMART, Navajo Express experienced an average of six bridge strikes per year at an average cost of $18,277. After installing E-SMART three years ago, the company has had a 100% reduction in low bridge collisions resulting in an overall savings of $328,986. “Arnold Transportation Services and Navajo Express results are two of our early customers,” Thell said. “Those results are not unique. Another new customer had eight bridge strikes at an average cost of $30,000 per incident in one year.  The fleet installed E-SMART in test vehicles and immediately saw events where the solution prevented the driver from hitting a bridge.” E-SMART low bridge collision prevention technology uses geofenced data on all bridges in North America and GPS to identify when a tractor is on a road with a bridge that is under 13 feet, 6 inches. When a vehicle is within 750 feet of a low bridge, the system sends a voice alert to the driver through partner ELD providers, alerts the fleet manager and limits the throttle to idle, giving the driver the option to coast to a stop or divert off the road. If the driver continues to within 250 feet of a low bridge, the throttle is disabled (brakes are not applied under any scenario). “While we are thrilled to share these results, we also understand that not every bridge strike is preventable by E-SMART,” Thell said. “For example, if the bridge is at the bottom of a hill, E-SMART prevents drivers from using the throttle while driving close to the bridge, but the driver would need to apply the brakes to stop the truck.” In all low bridge mitigation events, the driver is contacted and assisted with a safe route to exit the area. The E-SMART customer portal also allows fleets to customize alerts and monitor low clearance bridge events in real time.

Net trailer orders see year-over-year downward slide in February

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Weak freight rates continue to reduce carriers’ willingness to invest in equipment. February net trailer orders, at 20,500 units, were nearly 21% lower year-over-year but 6,600 units above January’s intake, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report. “Seasonally adjusted, February’s orders fell to 20,100 units compared to a 12,600 seasonally adjusted rate in January,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director–CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. “On that basis, orders increased 59% month-over-month. Dry van orders contracted 18% year-over-year, with reefers and flats both down 31% compared to February 2023.” Total cancellations took a turn for the better in February, dropping to 1.3% of the backlog, from January’s elevated 3.2% rate. Several markets remained above the 1% mark, with OEMs indicating cancellations from both fleets and dealers. “Clearly, no one needs a higher trailer-to-tractor ratio or extra stock on the showroom floor in a market swimming in capacity,” McNealy said. “The good news is that healthy economic performance is increasingly favoring freight-generating economic sectors. However, capex remains limited at the start of 2024, and with impending expensive EPA regulations for power units, fleets are forced to make difficult decisions about how they spend their money, weighing on trailer demand.”  

Bendix invests to double air disc brake production capacity

AVON, Ohio — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems officials say they are working to improve the production capacity of double Air Disc Brakes (ADB) to meet the accelerating customer demand. These investments have prepared Bendix to accommodate 100% growth in ADB production since 2018, which has led to a more than 30% increase in volume realized to date, according to a news release. The ADB market for commercial vehicles in North America continues to expand, with adoption rates on Class 6-8 vehicles topping 50% — up from approximately 25% in 2018.  “Adoption rates for air disc brakes have grown sharply in the last few years, and anticipating that growth has been the foundation of the investments we’ve made — all with the commitment to support what this market needs in ADB volumes for tractors and trailers,” said Nicole Oreskovic, Bendix vice president of sales and marketing. “Bendix has led the way in the development and advocacy of air disc brakes since 2005. We continue to adapt our design and manufacturing processes for increased capacity, uniquely positioning us to enable and help drive the market conversion to ADBs, as we have for the last 20 years.” According to Bendix’s Vice President, Aaron Schwass, “the company has focused on three primary aspects at its Bowling Green facility.” The three aspects have helped the company drive the goal of doubling its production capacity and how they address its customer’s needs.  “Bendix has the largest installed air disc brake assembly capacity in North America for the commercial vehicle market thanks to our sustained investment focus over the years,” Schwass said. “That position is further bolstered with strategic levers that have put us in position to meet current and future ADB demand.” More specifically, Bendix also decided to install a high-volume assembly line, which increased the ADB assembly capacity by more than 40%. The company expanded its resources with the additional machining capacity to support the increased volumes. The final essential focus area provided an increase in supplier capacity, both in product-specific tooling and supplier development. This enabled the supply base to sustain the level needed to support Bendix’s internal capacity. Bendix ADB is part of the company’s full complement of wheel-end solutions, including drum brake systems, automatic slack adjusters, spring brakes, friction, and remanufactured ADB calipers. Bendix ADBs are available at major truck OEs and significant trailer manufacturers, along with leading full-line North American school bus manufacturers and intercity coach manufacturers in the United States and Canada. With air disc brakes, drivers appreciate shorter stopping distances, smoother, straighter, and more stable stops, a car-like feel, and virtually no brake fade. It is a fleet’s decision to spec ADB that depends on its application and business needs. The news release states that a “Return on investment (ROI) in ADBs usually depends on a combination of factors, including lightweight design, extended brake system life, quicker pad changes — roughly one-quarter the time of drum brakes once the wheel is off — and a longer friction duty cycle.” Across the number of applications for line haul, refuse, and school bus, for instance, fleets are seeing lower total cost of ownership through the adoption of ADBs. More fleets are benefiting from the ADBs due to their positive impact on Compliance, Safety, and Accountability scores and brake inspections. A critical way ADBs may improve safety is by further enhancing the capability of collision mitigation systems, which depend on stopping power at the wheel-ends to work at their best. “Safety plays an important part in ROI as well, and when we look at braking technology through the lens of making vehicles safer for drivers and others sharing the road, air disc brakes contribute to that,” Oreskovic said. “Fundamentally, they help make roads safer.” “Commercial vehicle safety technologies are becoming more integrated and complex,” Oreskovic said. “As we talk about autonomy and electrification, from a foundation brake perspective, ADB is a key contributing technology to support and enable where the industry is going.” In that way, Bendix officials say their role as a complete safety system provider is critical. “As a safety system provider, we look at the whole safety system, including air disc brakes,” Oreskovic said. “We’re examining the tractor and trailer and constantly working to refine, evolve, and enhance the system so that all parts work optimally both individually and together. That comprehensive approach is at the core of who Knorr-Bremse and Bendix are as companies.”

Nikola opens 1st HYLA refueling station in Southern California

PHOENIX — Nikola Corporation has opened its inaugural HYLA high-pressure modular hydrogen refueling station and facility in Southern California. The Ontario, California, station, which opened for operation in February, will be capable of fueling up to 40 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 trucks daily, according to a news release. “This station is integral to Nikola’s strategic initiative to develop up to nine refueling solutions set to be completed by mid-2024, with 14 total refueling solutions to be operational by the end of the year,” the news release states. Nikola will provide 24/7 support with on-site HYLA ambassadors and operation technicians. “We are proud to commemorate this historic day as we celebrate the inauguration of the first HYLA hydrogen refueling station in Southern California. We extend our sincere gratitude to the city of Ontario for their invaluable support and collaboration in bringing this vision to life,” said Nikola President of Energy Ole Hoefelmann. “This moment marks the beginning of a transformative journey toward a more sustainable future for transportation. With several more stations planned this year, we are committed to driving positive change and leading the charge for zero-emission trucking solutions.” Working alongside industry leaders, Nikola officials say they are “securing a robust hydrogen supply chain” and expanding their HYLA refueling infrastructure to support growing demand. The continued development of the refueling ecosystem is anticipated to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and drive the decarbonization of transportation, according to Nikola. “I welcome the news of HYLA constructing their first semi-truck hydrogen refueling station right here in Ontario. Clean and innovative technologies like battery-electric and hydrogen fueled trucks will create jobs and help the Inland Empire thrive, all while fighting the climate crisis,” said California Rep. Norma Torres. “We must continue to invest in clean energy solutions like this to future-proof our communities and I look forward to seeing this project, and many others, come to fruition.” The HYLA refueling solutions network is expected to offer Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and other Class 8 customers a variety of flexible refueling options, including modular and permanent HYLA stations, customer-owned facilities and partnerships with public truck stops, Nikola officials say. This network includes the recent 10-year agreement with FirstElement Fuel for a hydrogen refueling station in Oakland, California.

Rush Truck Centers launches sweepstakes for final Peterbilt Model 389

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Rush Enterprises, which operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, in conjunction with Rush Enterprises Foundation, is holding a special sweepstakes benefiting Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) for the chance to win the last and only 2025 Peterbilt Model 389X ever produced. “Rush Truck Centers and Rush Enterprises Foundation are proud to stand alongside WWP to honor and empower America’s injured veterans and is encouraging others to support this organization as well,” a news release states. “Now through Sept. 15, Rush Truck Centers encourages those eligible to visit winthelast389.com where they can make a minimum $50 donation to WWP and enter for the chance to win the last Peterbilt Model 389X ever produced.” Although donations are encouraged, there is no donation required to enter or win the Peterbilt. All proceeds will benefit WWP. “There is no greater honor than serving those who have served, and we are immensely proud to support Wounded Warrior Project and its free, life-changing programs and services for America’s heroes and their families,” said W.M. “Rusty” Rush, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Rush Enterprises. “In addition to supporting this worthy organization, this sweepstakes also pays tribute to our longstanding partnership with Peterbilt and the legacy of the Model 389, giving the winner an iconic piece of Peterbilt history.” Rush Truck Centers secured the final Model 389 with a winning bid of $1.5 million in an auction hosted by Peterbilt and attended by its dealer body at the 2023 Peterbilt dealer meeting. Peterbilt and Rush Truck Centers will donate the full amount of the winning bid to two additional charitable organizations: Truckers Against Trafficking and Wreaths Across America. Peterbilt will contribute the full retail price of the truck — $250,000 and Rush Truck Centers will contribute the remaining $1,250,000 evenly between the two organizations. “It is a privilege to support Truckers Against Trafficking in their important work combatting human trafficking, and Wreaths Across America, to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom. These two organizations are directly impacting lives across the country, and their missions align with Rush Enterprises’ core values,” Rush added. The Model 389X has traditional styling with a vast display of chrome. This one-of-a-kind Peterbilt Model 389X has been customized to match the paint scheme of the 1965 Peterbilt Model 358 displayed at Rush Truck Centers’ headquarters, which commemorates the year the company was founded. “Peterbilt creates purpose-built vehicles that stand the test of time. Since 2007, we’ve built over 100,000 Model 389s, an icon of the trucking industry. On Dec. 22, 2023, we produced the last Model 389,” said Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president. “That was the end of the production era, but today is the start of an era that extends the purpose of the Model 389 to support change in the lives of over 1 million veterans, caregivers and family members. Peterbilt is proud to support and employ veterans, and we are even prouder that the donations for the last Model 389, which was ordered with the exclusive 389X package, will help bring independence back to our nation’s most severely wounded veterans. I thank all veterans and all the Peterbilt customers, fans and enthusiasts! It’s the dawn of a new era.” Wally Edwards, WWP director of corporate partnerships, thanked Peterbilt and Rush Enterprises for their roles in helping the WWP. “We’re grateful to Rush Enterprises, the Peterbilt community and generous Americans for supporting Wounded Warrior Project through this sweepstakes,” he said. “This support helps Wounded Warrior Project provide free, life-changing services and programs to warriors and their families in mental health, career counseling, long-term rehabilitative care and policy advocacy. Together, we can transform the way America’s injured veterans are empowered, employed and engaged in our communities.”  

Uber Freight nationally scales its Powerloop, expands dedicated fleets

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Uber Freight’s drop and hook capacity solution, Powerloop, has scaled nationally with new capabilities. According to a news release, drop and hook services “have become increasingly sought-after, meeting the evolving needs of shippers for flexible transportation solutions while also offering carriers enhanced efficiency and earning potential.” Powerloop has seen explosive growth, with more than 10,000 carriers servicing more than 220,000 loads to date. In 2023 alone, the capacity program experienced a 43% increase in load volume. “We’ve transformed Powerloop into the drop-and-hook solution that I envisioned during my time as a shipper,” remarked Alyssa Correale, vice president of operations at Uber Freight. “The escalating demand for our program is a testament to its efficacy. With a nationwide carrier base of 95,000 and significant enhancements, we’re reaffirming our commitment to innovation and excellence in the transportation industry, positioning ourselves to meet the burgeoning demand and drive continued acceleration.” Enhancements to Powerloop Capacity Solution The enhancements include an expanded dedicated fleet offering, artificial intelligence-powered bundling capabilities to build carrier drop and hook tours and telematics-enhanced smart trailers, the news release notes. Powerloop trailers are now equipped with state-of-the-art GPS, cargo sensors, door sensors and 24/7 monitoring cameras. This advanced technology provides real-time visibility into trailer location and capacity, and provides alerts against cargo theft, offering peace of mind to carriers and shippers. Data generated from smart trailers is seamlessly integrated into Uber Freight’s Transportation Management System (TMS) via API, enabling seamless tracing, tracking and proactive risk mitigation. “The scale of Powerloop has unlocked new opportunities for shippers to establish dedicated fleets with Uber Freight,” the news release stated. “Dedicated fleets involve committing carriers full-time to serve a particular shipper under a long-term contract, offering cost-saving opportunities and guaranteed service for high-density freight needs.” Uber Freight now facilitates the creation of dedicated fleets of any size leveraging carriers across the U.S. Carriers can provide shippers with committed drop and live capacity on a weekly or ongoing basis. Bundles were introduced in Uber Freight’s network in 2019 and play a crucial role in eliminating millions of empty miles by optimizing carrier routes. Powerloop bundles have further reduced empty miles by more than 29%. “Additionally, by providing carriers with access to hauling bundles of loads from multiple shippers, Uber Freight helps increase carriers’ earnings while minimizing their dwell time,” according to the news release. “This new way of bundling loads and building routes ensures efficient movement from point A to point B and back, maximizing efficiency for both carriers and shippers.” Reginald Alexander, operations manager from Skyward Transportation, said that his company is thrilled to expand its offerings without a need to expand its fleet. “As a carrier of Uber Freight committed capacity, our drivers are hauling loads on a consistent basis for household names,” he concluded.

Oregon’s Umatilla County partners with Drivewyze to deliver in-cab work zone alerts

PLANO, Texas — Oregon’s Umatilla County has partnered with Drivewyze to provide commercial truck drivers with in-cab safety alerts in an effort to reduce commercial vehicle crash rates in active work zones. The Umatilla County pilot program to improve highway safety includes a collaboration between Drivewyze, North America’s largest Connected Truck platform, and one.network, a digital work zone and road management platform provider, according to a news release. “The alerts, which give drivers a heads-up to upcoming work zones, have been demonstrated to improve driver behavior by reducing the occurrence of over-speeding and hard-braking events,” the news release notes. The in-cab safety alerts are available to all truck drivers and trucking fleets at no cost through the Drivewyze Free service. Drivewyze Free can be activated through 100-plus telematics service providers partnered with Drivewyze or downloaded directly from app stores. “We’re excited to partner with Umatilla County to tackle the challenges of active work zones and improve highway safety,” said Brian Heath, Drivewyze CEO. Umatilla County, which covers more than 3,200 square miles in eastern Oregon, borders Washington state and connects to Boise on the border of Idaho via Interstate 84. It’s a main transportation corridor with mid-sized Oregon towns, like Baker City and Pendleton along the route. “Rural road safety starts with data, good and usable data,” said Dan Dorran, Umatilla County commissioner. “Umatilla County realized that there wasn’t a rural county program that we could build off of that could supply us with information that could both address safety and transport issues. We were lucky to have a local state representative, Rep. Greg Smith, who also recognized our issue and successfully went to bat for pilot project funds from the State of Oregon that we matched at the county level. Through Drivewyze, we are bringing rural roads into the 21st century digital age.” Heath emphasized the importance of the data. “Between 2020 and 2021, work zone fatalities increased by 10.8%,” he said. “There were increases in the percentages of fatal work zone crashes involving rear-end collisions, as well as those involving a commercial motor vehicle. Work zone alerts can help to reduce these tragic accidents and the associated costs borne by our society.” “For the first time in the United States, road crews in Umatilla work zones will be able to use our Live Link app to reach truckers with comprehensive, timely and vetted work zone information,” said Simon Topp, one.network’s chief commercial officer. “That’s important. Recent government data indicate one out of three work zone fatal crashes involves at least one large truck. Our information is shared through Drivewyze Free, assuring that freight operators have the most accurate information delivered into truck cabs at the right time and in the format they use most.” Drivewyze is partnering with leading transportation agencies across the U.S. to deliver essential safety alerts and advisories through Drivewyze Free to truck drivers and fleets at no cost to the industry. More than one-fourth of all states have, or are in the process of, implementing this in-vehicle extension to traditional highway safety programs and the solution is growing quickly. In addition to active work zones, message sets can include warnings for sudden and unexpected slowdowns, service vehicles, virtual safety signs, and public emergency broadcasts. Drivewyze Free is accessed through the Drivewyze mobile application, which is integrated with ELD partners operating on millions of trucks. The application can be embedded, run as a companion application, or run directly on the vast majority of telematics devices, smartphones or tablets installed in commercial vehicles. In addition to agency sponsored safety alerts, Drivewyze Free also provides Drivewyze sponsored alerts and advisories warnings for High-Rollover risk areas, Low Bridges, Mountain alerts (steep grade ahead; chain-up/brake check stations; and runaway ramps), and truck parking availability, where available.

Governor signs bills creating electric vehicle charging station network across Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed bipartisan bills Wednesday designed to jump-start creation of an electric vehicle charging network along the state’s interstate system and major highways. The new laws free up nearly $80 million in federal construction aid and makes it easier for gas stations, convenience stores and other businesses to operate the electric vehicle charging stations. The measures were backed by businesses and environmentalists alike and cheered as a way for Wisconsin to expand its electric vehicle charging network. The funding is designed to support Level 3 charging stations, which will allow for passenger electric vehicles to be recharged in less than an hour. Lower level chargers are designed to recharge a vehicle overnight or throughout the day. Federal guidance calls for stations no more than 50 miles apart. “Electric vehicle drivers in Wisconsin will soon be able to travel about 85 percent of our state highway system and never be more than 25 miles away from a charger,” Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson said in a statement Wednesday. Wisconsin currently has nearly 580 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations. The state Department of Transportation has said it expects to use the $78.7 million in federal grants to support building 65 high-speed charging stations in key corridors using the federal funding unlocked through enactment of the new laws. One bill Evers signed allows for the creation of an EV infrastructure program to help businesses construct charging stations over the next five years. The grants would cover up to 80% of costs; grant recipients would have to put up the remaining 20%. The funding was part of $7.5 billion included in the 2021 infrastructure law passed to meet President Joe Biden’s goal to build a national network of 500,000 publicly available chargers by 2030. The charging ports are a key part of Biden’s effort to encourage drivers to move away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks that contribute to global warming. But progress on the network has been slow. Ohio and New York are the only states that have opened charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. As of mid-January, a total of 28 states, plus Puerto Rico, have either awarded contracts to build chargers or have accepted bids to do so. EV charging stations must charge customers by the amount of electricity used, known as a kilowatt-hour. Selling by the killowatt-hour is similar to fueling a vehicle with gasoline. Wisconsin law only allows utilities to charge per kilowatt-hour. That means any business that wanted to offer a charging station would have to be regulated as a utility. In order to access the federal money, an exemption to that law was needed. The bill Evers signed allows private businesses to sell electricity at the charging stations by kilowatt-hour and not be regulated as a utility. Users of the charging stations would be charged a 3-cent-per-kilowatt-hour tax. Local government entities and state agencies would not be allowed to operate public charging stations but could run their own stations to charge their vehicles. “We don’t have to choose between protecting our environment and natural resources or creating good-paying jobs and infrastructure to meet the needs of a 21st-Century economy — in Wisconsin, we’re doing both,” Evers said in a statement.

US relaxes plans for stricter auto emissions standards — but not big rigs

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration this week is expected to announce new automobile emissions standards that relax proposed tailpipe limits for three years but eventually reach the same strict standards set out by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, there was no mention of commercial motor vehicles in this temporary rule relaxation. This news comes just as a new report shows that full electrification of the U.S. commercial truck fleet would require nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure investment alone. The report from Roland Berger was released by the Clean Freight Coalition on Tuesday. The changes come as sales of zero-tailpipe emissions electric vehicles, which are needed to meet the standards, have begun to slow. The auto industry has cited lower sales growth in objecting to the EPA’s preferred standards unveiled last April as part of the most ambitious plan ever to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles.   The EPA suggested that under its preferred alternative, the industry could meet the limits if 67% of new vehicle sales are electric by 2032. But during a public comment period on the standards for 2027 through 2032, the auto industry called the benchmarks unworkable with EV sales slowing as consumers worry about cost, range and a lack of publicly available charging stations. Three people with knowledge of the standards say the Biden EPA will pick an alternative that slows implementation from 2027 through 2029, but ramps up to reach the level the EPA preferred from 2030 to 2032. The alternative will have other unspecified modifications that help the auto industry meet the standards, one of the people said. The people, two from the auto industry and one from the government, didn’t want to be identified because the new standards haven’t been made public by the EPA. The changes appear aimed at addressing strong industry opposition to the accelerated ramp-up of EVs, along with public reluctance to fully embrace the new technology. There is also a legitimate threat of legal challenges before conservative courts. The Supreme Court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, has increasingly reined in the powers of federal agencies, including the EPA, in recent years. The justices have restricted the EPA’s authority to fight air and water pollution — including a landmark 2022 ruling that limited the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming. Biden has made fighting climate change a hallmark of his presidency and is seeking to slash carbon dioxide emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles, which make up the largest single source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, Biden needs cooperation from the auto industry and political support from auto workers, a key political voting bloc. The United Auto Workers union, which has endorsed Biden, has said it favors the transition to electric vehicles but wants to make sure jobs are preserved and that industry pays top wages to workers who build the EVs and batteries. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that White House officials “don’t have any concerns” about the EPA rule, which could be announced as soon as Wednesday. “We know, with these types of things, it takes time,” she told reporters on Air Force One as Biden traveled to Nevada. “But we’re still going to stay committed to our (climate) goals.” Generally, environmental groups have been optimistic about the new EPA plan. Manish Bapna, president of Natural Resources Defense Council, told reporters last week that he expects the rule will significantly cut carbon emissions from cars and light-duty trucks, which are the source of one-fifth of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. “Based on what we hear, there’s no reason to doubt that the climate rules for cars and light-duty trucks are going to cut well over 90% of the carbon pollution from new cars, SUVs and pickup trucks” over the next few decades, Bapna said. “That’s huge.” Between 2027 and 2055, the EPA rule “will prevent more than 7 billion tons of climate wrecking carbon emissions. That’s more than the nation generates in a year. It’s absolutely essential, real, concrete progress,” Bapna said. “EPA’s clean car standards will put the pedal to the metal as the U.S. races to achieve cleaner, healthier air for everyone,” said Amanda Leland, executive director of Environmental Defense Fund, another environmental group. “Strong clean car standards help provide cleaner air and a safer climate, thousands of dollars in cost savings for our families and hundreds of thousands of new jobs in U.S. manufacturing,” Leland said. Luke Tonachel, an automobile expert with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the new clean-car standards will encourage the auto industry to “continue investing, as it’s already starting to do, over the long-term period” in EV and zero-emission vehicles. The rule also will send a signal to infrastructure providers and utilities to keep building out the charging infrastructure,” he said. But Dan Becker at the Center for Biological Diversity, said he fears loopholes will let the industry continue to sell gas burners. He also is afraid the industry will get off with doing little during the first three years of the standards, which could be undone if Donald Trump is elected president. “The bottom line is that the administration is caving to pressure from big oil, big auto and the dealers to stall progress on EVs and now allow more pollution from cars,” Becker said. At a Detroit-area rally in September, Trump insisted Biden’s embrace of electric vehicles — a key component of his clean-energy agenda — would ultimately lead to lost jobs. Republicans and some in the industry have said the rule would require that 67% of new vehicle sales be electric by 2032, forcing people to buy cars, trucks and SUVs that they aren’t yet ready to accept. But EPA Administrator Michael Regan has said the new rule is a performance standard that leaves it to industry to come up with solutions. U.S. electric vehicle sales grew 47% last year to a record 1.19 million as EV market share rose from 5.8% in 2022 to 7.6%. But EV sales growth slowed toward the end of the year. In December, they rose 34%. The Alliance for Auto Innovation, a large industry trade group, said in a news release that the ramp up to 67% initially proposed by the EPA is too fast for the industry to achieve. The EPA’s pace of EV adoption is faster than President Joe Biden’s goal of electric vehicles being half of U.S. new vehicle sales by 2030, the group said. “Where we are (or aren’t) in 2032 is unclear at this point,” the group said. “But moderating the pace of EV adoption in 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 would be the right call because it prioritizes more reasonable and achievable electrification targets in the next few (very critical) years.” The EPA’s preferred standards would take carbon dioxide emissions from 186 grams per mile in 2026 to 82 in 2032, a 56% reduction. The limits would reach 111 grams per mile by 2029. But under the alternative that environmental groups expect the EPA to adopt, the standards would be eased in the first three years, reaching 132 grams by 2029 but still hitting 82 in 2032. The Trucker Staff contributed to this report.

Staggering sum: New report says $1 trillion needed to electrify US commercial truck fleet

WASHINGTON — Full electrification of the U.S. commercial truck fleet would require nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure investment alone, according to a new report from Roland Berger released Tuesday by the Clean Freight Coalition (CFC). The study forecasts a realistic infrastructure build out for the electrification of medium-and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, exposing what the CFC calls a massive investment gap as state and federal policymakers mandate increased adoption rates of battery-electric commercial vehicles. Key findings: Preparing today’s commercial vehicle fleet for electrification would require the commercial vehicle industry to invest upwards of $620 billion in charging infrastructure alone, including chargers, site infrastructure and electric service upgrades. Utilities would need to invest $370 billion to upgrade their grid networks to meet the demands of just commercial vehicles. This nearly $1 trillion expenditure does not account for the cost of new battery-electric trucks, which according to market research can be two to three times more expensive than their diesel-powered equivalents. For example, a diesel Class 8 truck costs roughly $180,000, while a comparable battery-electric truck costs over $400,000. The CFC, which consists of transportation stakeholders across the trucking and motorcoach industries, says that policymakers must address these cost concerns and infrastructure hurdles to make an electrified supply chain function smoothly for the American economy. The study found that while medium-duty vehicles will face fewer roadblocks, economic and operational constraints make electrification very challenging for the heavy-duty segment. Furthermore, the study outlined the significant improvements in battery range and charging infrastructure capabilities that would be needed to support a path for the electrification of long-haul vehicles. “Electrification means focusing on the vehicle segments that are easier first; it means that we have to look at how fleets operate and potentially adjust; it means that we need better cooperation and planning across industries and governments; and it requires an openness to alternative technology paths to decarbonizing the heavy-duty segment,” said Roland Berger Senior Partner Dr. Wilfried Aulbur. “It also is clear that an industry with a yearly turnover of about $800 billion and a profit margin around 5% cannot invest $620 billion without financial support or a significant increase in freight rates.” CFC Executive Director Jim Mullen said the study thoroughly examines the issues surrounding the infrastructure buildout necessary to electrify commercial vehicles. “… it clearly shows how the heavy-duty vehicle industry’s needs are vastly different not just from other sectors of our economy, but from each other,” he said . “I want to thank the team at Roland Berger for so clearly outlining the challenges electrifying our supply chain poses as the industry and nation continue working toward our shared goal of reducing trucking’s impact on the environment.” Truckload Carriers Association President Jim Ward said Rolen Burger’s in-depth analysis “does a great job of illuminating the challenges that arise when transforming the industry to 100% (battery electric vehicle) BEV. It provides great insight into the capital investment and upgrades required for utility distribution and transmission and identifies the vast number of chargers that will need to be installed to continue to deliver America’s goods in a timely manner.”

Private fleet additions supporting Class 8 tractor demand, ACT reports

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Final February Class 8 net orders, at 27,745 units, were up 16% year-over-year, according ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 report. “Given ongoing weak for-hire economics, we believe private fleet capacity additions continue as the driver of U.S. tractor orders above replacement levels,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. U.S. tractor orders totaled 17,213 units, up 32% year-over-year. The vocational market remains strong, particularly in the U.S., where nearshoring and government programs have spurred investment “Coupling a declining U.S. tractor sales trend in 2023, and the seasonally weakest time of the year for Class 8 retail sales in the year’s first trimester, with strong production expectations, conditions were ripe for a large inventory jump in in Q1 2024,” Vieth noted. Even as sales have remained at seasonally healthy rates, February production pushed Class 8 inventories to a four-year high of 73,900 units, up 7,705 units or 12% month-over-month and 24% year-over-year, according to ACT. Regarding Classes 5-7, he concluded, “MD inventories remained at highly elevated levels in February, as medium-duty bodybuilder labor challenges persist. Inventories totaled 86,420 units on a nominal basis, up 27% year-over-year.”

ACT Research: Preliminary net trailer orders grow mostly higher in February

COLUMBUS, Ind. — February’s preliminary net trailer orders increased nominally from January to February, according to ACT Research. At 20,500 units, orders were lower compared to last February, down nearly 21% year-over-year. As we’re at the end of peak order season, seasonal adjustment lowers February’s tally modestly, to 20,100 units. Final February results will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate should be within +/-5% of the final order tally, an act news release notes. “Against year-ago data still impacted by pent-up demand that is now gone, softer order intake activity continues to meet expectations,” said Jennifer McNealy, director of commercial vehicle market research and publications at ACT Research. “Net orders remain challenged by a backdrop of weak profitability for for-hire truckers. Anecdotal commentary from trailer manufacturers and suppliers through the past several months have indicated this slowing, as they have shared that orders are coming, but at a more tepid pace when compared to the last few years.” McNealy said that the thesis is that when fleets don’t make money, their ability and/or willingness to purchase equipment is muted. “That said, the lower orders now don’t indicate a catastrophic year in the offing, as the economy continues to expand at an above-trend rate in Q1, and goods-producing economic sectors that were out of favor last year are looking healthier in 2024,” McNealy added. Another indicator ACT officials say they are watching closely is cancellations, which remained above comfortable levels for most segments in February. “While the industry’s largest segments remain under pressure, some specialty segments have no available build slots until late in 2024 at the earliest and cancellations remain low,” McNealy concluded.

Trucking company, 3 former employees sentenced in Clean Air Act conspiracy

DETROIT — On Feb. 23, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan sentenced Diesel Freak LLC and ordered the business to pay a fine of $750,000 and serve a term of probation. The owner of the business, Ryan Lalone, and two employees, Wade Lalone and James Sisson, were each sentenced to one year of probation, according to a news release. Over the course of the case, the court ordered over $1.8 million in fines. In April 2023, Diesel Freak, two other companies, Ryan and Wade Lalone, Sisson and eight other individuals were charged for their involvement in a scheme to disable the emissions controls on hundreds of semi-trucks. Diesel Freak is a diesel repair and electronics modification facility that designs and builds electronic monitoring and modification kits that adjust engine power and fuel efficiency through Wi-Fi connections with trucks on the road. During the conspiracy period, which ran from approximately 2015 through November 2018, when Diesel Freak was searched by the Environmental Protection Agency, the company conducted remote reprogramming, or tuning, of on-board diagnostic systems, including deletions of environmental controls, allowing diesel engines for large open-road trucks to work cheaper, without environmental restrictions, causing pollution beyond that allowed by law, according to the court. Tampering with or removing emissions controls can drastically increase the emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and non-methane hydrocarbons found in vehicle exhaust.

Cummins settles California emissions violations case

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Friday a $46 million settlement with engine manufacturer Cummins to resolve DOJ and CARB’s claims for violations of California engine emissions control and certification requirements. According to a news release, Cummins made undisclosed changes to approximately 120,000 engines in California after CARB had certified the engines for sale. In addition, roughly 2,000 Cummins engines had undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices that altered the emissions control system and resulted in emissions that exceeded regulatory limits. “At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to vigorously enforcing environmental laws that protect Californians and our environment,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today’s settlement makes clear that the DOJ will relentlessly continue its efforts to hold accountable those who seek to profit at the expense of people’s health and safety.” Of the $46 million in payments required under the settlement, approximately $42 million will be paid to CARB: $32 million for penalties and about $9.8 million for mitigation of the full amount of excess nitrogen oxide emissions created by the non-compliant engines. The settlement monies will go to the Air Pollution Control Fund to support CARB’s mobile source emissions control program and other CARB activities related to the control of air pollution. The California Attorney General’s Office also entered into a settlement with Cummins, subject to court approval, for $4 million for unfair business practices and public nuisance claims and secured injunctive relief prohibiting Cummins from engaging in similar violations in the future. “CARB’s rigorous, state-of-the-art enforcement efforts ensure that air quality laws are followed. And if issues are uncovered, collaboration and action from manufacturers such as Cummins make it possible to quickly implement needed fixes to provide the public health and air quality benefits that Californians need and deserve,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB’s executive officer. According to the news release, the violations were discovered through a combination of CARB’s investigation methods and protocols, and Cummins’ continued commitment to reporting emissions-related concerns as the company discovered them, while also enhancing its internal compliance efforts. “The company fully cooperated with CARB’s investigation and will conduct an emissions recall in about 2,000 affected engines to correct the violations at no cost to owners,” the news release states. “Cummins has the option to offset a portion of the CARB penalty amount with a project that will increase heavy-duty zero-emissions charging infrastructure in California.”

PACCAR issues recall affecting more than 116K trucks

WASHINGTON — PACCAR is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt models 348, 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567 and 579 and Kenworth models T180, T280, T380, T480, T880 and W990, along with 2021-2025 Kenworth model T680 trucks, because the right-hand gear shift stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication. The recall affects 116,343 trucks. “A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash,” according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration bulletin on the issue. Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shift assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 7. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at (425) 828-5888 or Peterbilt customer service at (940) 591-4220. PACCAR’s numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.

Electric vehicle operator Lime to use electric big rigs for its North American freight

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Lime, operator of shared light electric vehicles (EVs), Hight Logistics and Forum Mobility have announced a new deal for zero-emissions port-to-hub shipping for all Lime freight arriving in North America through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Forum Mobility, a zero-emission electric truck charging provider, is providing the electric trucks and charging to Hight Logistics, a family-owned drayage provider in Long Beach, California, according to a news release. In 2023, nearly 50% of all of Lime’s new vehicles and parts globally arrived through Los Angeles ports now covered under the agreement. Lime anticipates the agreement will shift more than 300 port-to-hub shipments to electric, zero-emission trucks annually. As part of the announcement, Lime is also among the first companies to share its commitment to the World Economic Forum’s Mission Possible Partnership commitment to zero-emission international shipping. Under Lime’s new commitment, 10% of the volume of its goods shipped internationally will be on ships using zero-emission fuels by 2030, on the way to 100% of shipments by 2040. “We’re thrilled to play a leading part in the EV freight transition through this exciting partnership with Hight Logistics and Forum Mobility,” said Andrew Savage, vice president for sustainability at Lime. “EV shipping needs demand signals to really get moving, and given our ambitious climate goals, Lime is happy to provide them. Businesses need to prioritize zero-emission hauling and take their Scope 3 emissions seriously, regardless of the new SEC rule that omitted reporting on these massive emissions. We believe firmly in a carbon-free future and we’re taking these important steps to decarbonize our shipping logistics on our path to achieving our ambitious net zero carbon goals.” In the last two years, Lime utilized more than 700 truckloads of freight through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as it scaled its business and updated its e-scooter and e-bike fleet across North America. As part of the partnership, future shipments will be completed via zero-emissions vehicles. This deal is Lime’s first for zero-emission drayage. It will continue to explore similar agreements globally, in particular with its European shipping hub. “The deal aligns with Lime’s efforts to decarbonize its business, and its 2030 net zero target, validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative, the top organization for corporate carbon target setting,” the news release states. “Lime continues to make strides toward decarbonizing across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, already achieving a 37% carbon reduction from its 2019 baseline. Lime anticipates a significant further reduction for 2023 and is expected to report on those emissions reductions mid-year.” Lime officials said they chose Hight Logistics for its commitment to sustainable freight, competitive pricing and demonstrated ability to provide high-quality drayage services. “We believe in doing the right thing — and zero-emission trucking is the future in California. Since we made the decision to invest in electric trucks, we’ve had cargo owners seek us out specifically, wanting to lower their climate impact. Hight Logistics is proud to be able to deliver the goods without the emissions,” said Rudy Diaz, CEO of Hight Logistics. “For all cargo owners, if you are looking to decarbonize your supply chain, lower Scope 3 emissions, lower your WAIRE points, or meet climate commitments, our electric truck fleet is ready and growing.” Zero-emission heavy-duty freight is a relatively new but fast growing sector. Rules passed by the California Air Resources Board in April of 2023 require a gradual shift to zero-emission trucks throughout the state. By 2035, the entire drayage fleet, currently consisting of 33,000 class 8 trucks, must be zero emission. Forum Mobility is developing a network of charging depots in and around ports and on routes to common freight destinations. Forum’s staffed and secure depots offer charging, or charging plus a truck together, for a monthly fee — providing one-stop electric truck solutions to independent owner operators and large carriers alike. “Zero-emission freight is a generational change, and Hight and Lime are setting the bar for leadership through action,” said Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility. “Forum Mobility’s mission is to ensure that everyone has the ability to benefit from going zero emission. Forum’s principals have decades of experience building electric infrastructure — we take on the challenges, costs and operations of infrastructure so truckers and carriers of all sizes can focus on their business and their customers. Hight and Lime are driving the future, and we’re proud to support their journey.”

Used Class 8 retail see strong February numbers

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales volumes increased 15% month-over-month in February, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research. According to Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research, “Used truck retail sales volumes kept the pedal to the metal in February. The gain was stronger than expected, as sales are typically still emerging from the winter freeze this time of year. And interestingly, volumes increased across all three channels.” Tam concluded, “Though used truck demand remains robust, there are signs of pressure on the freight markets that could unfavorably impact used truck demand, which classically peaks in March.”

Aurora to showcase driverless trucks navigating advanced road scenarios at analyst and investor day

PITTSBURGH — Autonomous big rig outfitter Aurora Innovation is holding an Analyst and Investor Day at its headquarters in Pittsburgh on Thursday, where executives will share the company’s progress toward driverless deployment and its path to gross profit, scale and self-funding. For the first time, the company will publicly show the Aurora Driver — an SAE Level 4 autonomous driving system — navigating safety-critical scenarios without anyone on board, according to a news release. “Building on years of development and testing, our work toward the safe and scalable deployment of driverless trucks is nearing a historic milestone” The company’s Safety Case — Aurora’s evidence-based approach to demonstrating that its self-driving vehicles are acceptably safe to operate on public roads — is 93% complete for its launch lane between Dallas and Houston. To show progress toward a closed Safety Case, an Aurora Driver-powered truck with a standard trailer will navigate advanced scenarios on a closed track including: Autonomous operations: Starting and stopping from a remote app Advanced capabilities: Avoiding dangerous debris, navigating a tire blowout, and responding to being pulled over by law enforcement Defensive driving: Handling aggressive cut-ins, unexpected pedestrians, and other road hazards to avoid collisions Final development of purpose-designed redundant trucks Aurora has been closed-track testing the all-new autonomous Volvo VNL since late 2023. “With safety at the forefront, the soon-to-be-released autonomous VNL is a purpose-designed, production-ready, autonomous truck with robust redundant systems,” the news release states. “Aurora and Volvo Autonomous Solutions are making significant progress towards commercialization. The company strongly believes the only way to safely and responsibly deploy and scale autonomous trucks is through close collaboration with OEM and manufacturing partners.”

Mack Trucks introduces mobile off-grid charging system to test electric vehicles

NEW ORLEANS — Mack Trucks plans install mobile Mack MD Electric charging units for customers who test electric vehicle demos from dealers. This announcement was made at the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, held from March 4 to March 7 in New Orleans. It will be available for a limited time.  “This system will allow the customer or dealer to charge trucks — whether it’s a demo unit or a multi-unit ride-and-drive event at the dealer — without having charging infrastructure readily available at their site,” said Ryan Saba, energy solutions manager for Mack Trucks. “Mack hopes that this option will help customers more easily experience the benefits of e-mobility and a more sustainable transportation option.” According to a news release, the Mack MD (medium duty) Electric charging units can be configured as a Class 6 or 7 vehicle. It will feature a permanent three-phase a Permanent Magnet Synchronous 260 horsepower motor powered by Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Oxide lithium-ion batteries rated at 240kWh. The batteries will be suitable for an estimated range of up to 230 miles, Mack said. The off-grid charging system will include a generator that is powered by renewable propane and a 120kW charger that is mounted on the back of the MD Electric truck that transports it. For more information about the off-grid charging system, Mack MD Electric or Mack LR Electric, visit www.macktrucks.com.