Sustainability

Funding announced as investment heats up for low-carbon fuel technology.

Oregon truckers and fuel interests are lobbying against a carbon pricing bill that they contend unfairly targets the transportation sector, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

If confirmed, the new DOJ deputy could bring with him from DOT potential deregulatory influence.

Wireless charging could be key to making electric trucks viable for the long-haul sector.

The European Parliament and the European Council have reached a provisional agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions from trucks by 30 percent compared to 2019 levels..

A new initiative aims to make half of the company’s shipments net zero (emissions) by 2030.

The nation’s top electricity regulator gives exclusive insight into how the infrastructure behind electric trucks could fuel the coming transportation transformation.

Tax incentives that make for cheaper diesel fuel ran out in 2018, and the trucking industry is looking for a vehicle on which to extend it. Could it be the border wall?

Message from NATSO: Technology trends will force truck stop owners to reevaluate how they serve their customers.

Lots of ideas for federal funding of infrastructure at Capitol Hill hearing, but the “pay-for” question still looms.

Green New Deals are the rage in Washington, with benefits – and costs – for trucking.

Electric vehicle makers can learn from some of the lessons that natural gas developers faced when introducing that fuel source to trucking.

Plus: AVs shrouded in secrecy; Puget Sound congestion relief

Judging from the number of business exhibitors showing here for the first time, CES might well be rebranded as “UTS2019” – the Ubiquitous Technology Show.

A strong economy led to more CO2 emissions from industry and from buildings, offsetting the move away from coal.

Daimler kicked off its CES presentations with a ride and drive event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a workshop on the company’s EV strategy.

Plus: The optical communications supply chain, carriers reflag ships ahead of Brexit, and Massachusetts to tackle pot delivery 

Other highlights: Drones wreak havoc, Amazon goes to school

Jurupa Valley, CA  is building a badly needed truck stop. The locals don’t seem to want it.

Non-compliant trucks will be turned away.

Electric trucks a first for Hunt.

“We are completely certain the Cascadia will revolutionize Mexico.”

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission has enacted an executive order by Gov. John Hickenlooper committing the state to low emission vehicle standards.

The enforcement actions were part of California’s massive effort to reduce diesel-related pollution across industry sectors.

The measure would have rolled back diesel fuel taxes from 36 to 16 cents a gallon.

As it continues work toward disrupting the traditional diesel-powered truck market in North America, Nikola Motor Company is eyeing another continent for its hydrogen-electric tractor: Europe.

Tennessee Tech has acknowledged that the results of its controversial glider kit study were “inaccurate.”

Major drayage operator at U.S. busiest port complex looks to all-electric truck to hit emissions reduction goal.

Volvo Trucks will introduce an all-electric truck in California next year before making them commercial available in North America in 2020, the company said.

Project financing could lead to commercial testing of vehicles by 2020.

Workhorse Group, a technology company focused on offering sustainable mobility solutions, announced a new public offering of its common stock to raise additional funds as it works towards profitability.

Nikola Motor Company raised over $100 million in August, and the company’s CEO Trevor Milton expects its $200 million C round to be oversubscribed. Nikola boasts a $1.1 billion pre-money valuation.

Cummins Inc. announced record earnings for its second quarter this morning, and that news was immediately overshadowed by an engine recall that has already impacted 230,000 vehicles and now will encompass an additional 500,000 heavy-duty truck models.

Toyota Motor has been testing a Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck in port operations in California, but yesterday it took that program to the next level with introduction of Version 2 of the truck with more range and other features.

Carriers that want to go carbon neutral can do so today. No need to wait for electric trucks.

Solar power may not be the cure-all for reducing fuel costs, but it can provide assistance and achieve payback in relatively short time if used in the right applications.

Third-party supply chain provider NFI along with Penske Truck Leasing will take delivery of and test Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) electric vehicles.

Incumbent OEMs like Daimler, Volvo, and VW have seized the reins in the electric truck race. The only question is whether trucks like the Freightliner eCascadia will be able to deliver a performance competitive with Elon Musk’s Tesla Semi.

According to at least one analyst, Tesla may be putting its ambitious Semi project on hold as it tries to solve its many other issues, including Model 3 production.

The technology and product offerings for LNG/CNG Class 8 trucks are well ahead of battery-electric vehicles. Rising diesel prices may spur another wave of natural gas-powered truck adoption.

Anheuser-Busch will purchase up to 800 Nikola Motor Company hydrogen-electric trucks as part of a plan to convert its dedicated fleet to alternative fuel by 2025.

Shell and Airflow are preparing to launch their futuristic, carbon fiber Starship truck on a cross-country voyage to prove just how efficient diesel can be. We just don’t know if this concept is scaleable.

Tesla was a conspicuous absence at a massive exhibition showing off electric cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, and energy technology, but the industry is moving forward with or without Elon Musk.

OEMs, fleets, and policymakers came together to talk about what drives innovation in clean transport technology. They also discussed California’s lawsuit against the EPA and the uncertain regulatory climate.

Meritor CEO Jay Craig offered insights into how the century-old industrial manufacturer of automotive components adapts to a changing technological landscape: by paying attention to external changes and listening to its customers.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Truck operators have a number of regulations they must meet to operate in California, including trailer and refrigeration unit mandates. Failure to do so can lead to big fines.

Volvo Trucks has now formally entered the all-electric push with the announcement that its FL Electric vehicle has been introduced in Europe.

Hinting that it has just received a large contract with “one of the most recognized and valuable brands in the world,” Nikola Motor Company announced last week that it will be refunding all monies paid as part of a reservation to receive a Nikola One hydrogen-electric truck.

Clean Truck Programs that remove older trucks from port operation benefit not only the environment, but also productivity, says the program manager of one such initiative.

Executives flee, production shuts down, parts need reworking, and Tesla is still burning cash like there’s no tomorrow.

The Tesla Semi has finally hit the road. Tesla founder Elon Musk posted a picture of two Tesla Semi’s leaving the company’s Gigafactory in the Nevada mountains for a trip to California.

It’s estimated that Tesla produces battery packs at a cost of $157/kwh, and the company has stopped claiming that it can dramatically reduce their cost. This puts the 1 mw Tesla Semi battery at $157k.

Fears that electric vehicle growth might be stalled by limitations in the supply of lithium for lithium-ion batteries have been significantly undercut by a new report from Morgan Stanley that […]

UPS is planning to add 50 plug-in electric vehicles from Workhorse this year for testing with plans to add more units in 2019.

Panelists from Bosch, eNow, Motiv, and Thor discussed the state of the electric truck industry and the technical and commercial challenges facing automobile electrification, especially battery technology.

An open letter by “A thousand upset truckers” to the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) was posted on the Facebook page of PierTrucker.com/Seattle, declaring its opposition to the planned phase-out of trucks with pre-2007 engines contained in proposed House Bill 2601.

SDG&E is working on electrification projects in the region of San Diego to expand its electric vehicle charging network and cater to the growing EV needs of the region.

The burning of natural gas instead of coal offers important and immediate benefits, including reduced air and water pollution, fewer smokestack carbon emissions, less power plant water use, greater flexibility of the power grid, and renewed economic development in gas-rich regions of the country.

The American auto industry’s shift to electric vehicles over the next five years may represent an opportunity for Chinese EV makers to capture market share. Several companies have announced plans to expand into the U.S., which might represent a threat to Tesla.

The biggest hurdle to overcome is the long-distance infrastructure of superchargers.

FreightWaves had a chance to speak with Jason Schenker about what’s ahead for the freight and automotive industries, and what that means for our lives.

Trucking and logistics have grabbed a share of the spotlight this year at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas. None, though, has grabbed more attention than Toyota’s E-Palette concept and alliance that includes such big names as Amazon, DiDi, Mazda, Pizza Hut and Uber.

The shift away from fossil fuels has attracted mayors in the state of Hawaii to commit to renewable transportation sources, according to an article written by Honolulu mayor Kirk Cameron with Dawn Lippert.

Electric car manufacturers need cobalt for their batteries, a metal that’s scarce, subject to geopolitical threats, and mined by children.

Will the enormous investments in energy grid infrastructure required by Tesla’s Semis be priced into the cost of their cars and trucks? And how will the Semi cope with surge pricing at times of peak demand?

Tesla is now accepting orders for its Tesla Semi in three European countries. The different dynamics of the European freight market represent some different challenges for the company.

It is estimated that international trade-related freight transport accounts for nearly one-third of the total emissions across the world. Such situations call for innovation in the freight industry that could help mitigate carbon footprint through optimizing fuel consumption and improving operational efficiency.

Meritor has made a strategic investment in TransPower, hoping to tap into the company’s full electric trucking solutions and integrated drive systems along with energy-storage subsystems.

Thor describes themselves as a “transportation lab with a goal of tackling fleet management problems.”

Transport’s carbon emissions have exceeded power plant emissions: the decline of coal electricity generation and consumer preference for SUVs and pick-up trucks help explain the trend.

L.A. is a hotbed for EV talent, and electric truck startup, Thor, is ready to take advantage. Last week they announced plans to bring a heavy-duty electric vehicle to market before the Tesla Semi hits in 2019.

The Budweiser brewer says this is part of its strategy to reduce the company’s carbon emissions by 30% by 2025.

One of the questions many ask as the electric and autonomous vehicles are introduced to market is: What happens with the “last mile” delivery? It can be the most expensive leg of deliveries, especially in rural areas.

Tesla is losing investor support as losses continue to mount as competition from the Chevy Bolt stiffens and Model 3 production issues linger. This might impact their ability to compete in the commercial vehicle market 

The EPA has canceled a rule that would have subjected glider kits to the same emissions standards as newly manufactured heavy duty vehicles. Glider truck assemblers lauded the announcement while environmental advocate groups protested.

One of the largest elements of operational expenses in the freight hauling business is fuel, and yet there are a limited number of fleets that actively manage this cost effectively. Wisconsin-based Breakthrough Fuel is providing a way to effectively manage energy and reduce costs.

British startup Tevva Motors was one of the companies that took advantage of the exposure afforded transportation companies at the recent Freight in the City 2017 event in London. The company introduced its greenest truck ever, Trucking TV reports.

Electric vehicles have a hidden carbon footprint: their intensive use of aluminum and copper, and the dirty electric grids that charge their batteries, make them much less environmentally friendly than their boosters admit.

Nikola Motors, a leading startup that is building the next generation of truck tweeted out that Elon Musk was full of it and his claims on performance and range were invalid 

On Thursday night, Elon Musk announced Tesla’s new Semi tractors. Although the promised range of 500 miles impressed industry observers, the event left analysts and investors with even more questions about the truck’s specifications and Tesla’s production capacity.

The Tesla Semi is purely battery-electric, carrying enough storage capacity for 500 miles, according to the company. With plenty of fanfare, the truck made its long-awaited debut, and the range was not the only surprise.

The quest for greener sources of automobile fuel usually boils down to finding fuel with lower carbon emissions. Toyota is trying to develop an approach using fuel cells powered through its Hydrogen Supply Project.

JD.com, Alibaba’s closest rival in Mainland China, is pushing to develop 1,000 “new energy logistics” vehicles through its subsidiary JD Logistics, Yicai Global reports.

The U.S. has its first electrified highway. While not a long stretch, the one-mile catenary system on the north- and south-bound lanes of South Alameda Street from East Lomita Boulevard to the Dominguez Channel in Carson, CA, are providing a proving ground for the technology.

Toyota unveiled a new fuel-cell car at the Tokyo Motor Show wearing an airless tire concept from Sumitomo. There are a number of airless tires used in specialized applications, despite issues with weight and rolling resistance.

This is what being “deep in production hell” looks like. Yesterday Tesla reported wider-than-expected losses of $671M for the third quarter, the largest quarterly loss in the company’s history, which comes right on the heels of a $336M loss in Q2.

Former Tesla shareholder Daimler seems intent on upstaging the upstart with its own electric truck program, reports Bloomberg. Weeks before Tesla is set to unveil its own electric vehicle, Daimler introduced its own model, the E-Fuso Vision One.

Electric vehicles have come a long way, yet there is an important question that never seems to get addressed when discussing electric cars and trucks: what happens if the power goes out? Will your trucks still make their deliveries?

No need for those extra extension cords just yet; electric vehicles are not about to take over the world. That is one of the points that Lars Stengvist, CTO of the Volvo Group and EVP of Volvo Group Truck Technology, made to a select group of reporters during a roundtable discussion on truck technologies

After several years in development, Daimler Trucks unveiled its electric Mitsubishi Fuso eCanter yesterday at a ceremony in New York City. The first trucks have been delivered to UPS and four New York City-based NGOs.

California-based startup Chanje recently announced its all-electric medium-duty delivery van is in production and will be available as soon this fall. With a payload of 6,000 pounds and range of 100 miles, the Class 5 panel van is designed specifically for its target markets.

Is a trailer just a box on wheels or potentially a portable battery charger? That is one of the questions that could be answered through the continued innovation of commercial vehicles.

Cummins has unveiled a Class 7 electric powertrain that will power Class 7 trucks by 2019 and could recharge in as little as 20 minutes.

The never-ending mystery over what kind of truck Tesla is building may have moved one giant step closer to being solved on Thursday when it was revealed the electric truck will likely have an operating range of 200 to 300 miles.

After seeing the fleet-wide fuel economy average climb 3% in 2015, the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) says that the increase reported in its Annual Fleet Fuel Study was not as dramatic for 2016.

Solar power is most known as a source of electricity, but it is now proving that it belongs in other applications. Within the trucking industry, the use of solar is growing and it’s showing itself quite capable of the demands. 

The recent news that the Environmental Protection Agency plans to revisit some portions of its Phase 2 greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency rules for medium- and heavy-duty on-highway trucks and engines has raised concern with the Truck and Engine Manufacturer’s Association (EMA).

As the numbers of electric-powered vehicles grows, questions about whether the electrical grid can handle the power demands are growing. Michael Barnard of Clean Technica looked at the possibility of electric-powered vehicles breaking the grid by the years 2021 and 2040.

 An impending terminal crisis in net energy is looming over the global economy, according to Jonathan Rutherford of Insurgent Intelligence. The kind of growth that some multinational companies have been conducting is “green growth,” he notes with no signs of “degrowth.”

Although some politicians abhor rising GHG levels while others deny that global warming even exists, the general consensus of the private sector is that if corporations don’t get on board with safe environmental practices now, they will quickly fall behind their competitors.