Electric trucks

The region of the country can make a big difference when it comes to deployment of electric trucks.

Motiv Power Systems can tap $15 million in new cash from its largest investor as it fulfills pandemic-delayed orders for software and power electronics for electric trucks.

For electric trucks to really catch on, recharging time will have to be on par with a diesel fill-up. More powerful chargers like Tritium’s direct current charger that can juice up a vehicle to 80% in 15 minutes are on the way.

From 15,000 workers on furlough in April, Daimler Trucks North America has seen steady build activity to meet replacement demand into 2021 as its order backlog grows.

Trucking fleets should educate themselves about the array of alternatives as the industry continues its inevitable transition away from diesel.

Workhorse Group lost a lot of money on paper because new borrowing was tied to its exploding stock price. But it has the cash on hand to build electric trucks into 2022.

The focus on stock price gyrations in Nikola Corp. overlooks a major part of its business plan — making and selling hydrogen fuel for its trucks and anyone who wants it.

Daimler Trucks North America has named Rainer Müller-Finkeldei the new senior vice president of engineering and technology.

Mass adoption of electric vehicles will happen when they are comparable in cost and performance to internal combustion vehicles.

In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, experts discuss how trucking will get to an electric future, Mack Trucks lays off 450, and a trucker allegedly kidnaps his wife, leading police on a wild chase.

Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America are cutting 450 salaried jobs as part of parent Volvo Group’s slashing of 4,100 whiite-collar positions. But Mack is holding the line for now against additional reductions in
production workers in Pennsylvania.

OEMs, logistics companies tout varied technology solutions on the way to a zero-emissions future.

In today’s edition of The Daily Dash, FMCSA is considering a petition to delay the HOS changes, Workhorse can sell electric vans in all 50 states, and drivers can take steps to improve their mental health.

Nikola experienced a V-shaped recovery in its share price as storytelling in place of revenue drives enthusiasm and disdain for publicly traded electric truck startups.

The California Air Resources Board has mandated a percentage of zero-emission Class 8 trucks must be built for sale in California. Darren Prokop’s commentary covers the ins and outs of this regulatory mandate.

OEMs, logistics companies tout varied technology solutions on the way to a zero-emissions future.

The Advanced Clean Truck rule sets out different sales targets based on the vehicle class. By 2035, about 75% of Class 8 trucks sold in the state will need to be electric.

The funding will support projects replacing airport, port cargo and forklifts with new zero-emission technologies.

A panel featuring OEMs and utilities discusses regulatory issues, incentives and technical solutions designed to make electric truck adoption more affordable and convenient.

Experts urge fleets to take advantage of clean truck incentives — and to prepare for zero-emission sales, reporting and purchasing requirements

Swedish technology startup partners with oat drink company on a truck electrification project

Interest is rising in Workhorse’s electric truck-based drone delivery system as the company seeks $40 million credit line to scale production.

Updated rule, if adopted, means at least 30% of all tractor trailers sold in California would have to be zero emission by 2030

Ford has invested $500 million in Rivian and participated in the startup’s $1.3 billion investment raise in 2019.

Electric and fuel cell truck maker Nikola gets its pick of candidates as job insecurity led so many to apply that Linked In briefly shut down CEO Trevor Milton’s account.

For fleets that run throughout the day and need high utilization, hydrogen fuel cells offer great value for investment, while also creating zero emissions.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp., Utilimaster, Supreme and Waltco all showed new chassis, vehicles or truck bodies and components designed for the growing last-mile delivery segment at the 2020 Work Truck Show

Company responds to Senate hearing alleging spying and market distortion by China.

Morgan Olson’s new Storm vehicles are purpose-built for last-mile delivery operations.

Customers and society are demanding more environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric, and manufacturers are trying to meet those demands with smart business decisions that meet the key imperative of any commercial vehicle: to make money.

Private equity-backed trucking companies have had a tough time during this market downturn.

Every FreightWaves article is designed to assist our readers in becoming the most informed professionals in the transportation and logistics industry. These articles may have flown under your radar this week. […]

Over two decades and 2 million miles of trucking, Karl Williams has driven practically every brand of Class 8 tractor. Now behind the wheel of an electric Freightliner eCascadia, he relishes keeping his place in stop-and-go traffic and the sound of near silence.

FreightWaves partnered with Blackburn Energy on an infographic detailing the benefits of truck electrification.

Grupo Bimbo, through its subsidiary Moldex, will build around 1,000 electric trucks annually for its own fleet, as well as sell units to other companies.

The electrification of the transportation sector is not easy, and it is not something that industry needs governments to lead. But, a little help from state and local governments will […]

As Daimler and Volvo leverage their global capabilities for battery-powered trucks in California, PACCAR picks Dana and Meritor as systems suppliers for its medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks.

By the time it begins limited production of zero-emission Class 8 electric trucks late this year, Volvo will know the pain points because of its ecosystem approach to battery-powered transportation.

Tesla will produce its much-anticipated all-electric truck in “limited volumes” this year, according to CEO Elon Musk.

Apart from being emissions free, electric vehicles will have a much less total cost of ownership than conventional diesel vehicles.

Some think Elon Musk can increase sales 40-fold over the next 10 years

Despite the first labor strike in 35 years and volatile orders for new trucks, Martin Weissburg says his current role as president of Mack Trucks is the favorite of his 15-year Volvo Group career.

Electric trucks in big numbers are still years away, but interest among truck makers and fleets is widespread and growing.

Presidential candidate’s Clean Transportation Plan calls for 15% of new trucks to be pollution-free by 2030.

Mack Trucks has entered the electric vehicle space with its LR Electric refuse truck, but it may not be done. The engine, with modifications, may work well in other applications as well.

The New York City Department of Sanitation will begin testing the first Mack LR Electric refuse truck, hoping to gain valuable insight into the viability of electric refuse vehicles.

Kenworth and Peterbilt will both put power electronics from Dana in their electric medium-duty trucks.

Initiative will consider strategies to cut ozone emissions by 2027.

Plus: Amazon driver steals package; Rivian vs. Tesla

An early Christmas gift for the electric truck maker marks the company’s fourth investment announcement this year.

CFI employees have raised more than $800,000 for charities over the past 26 years as part of its Truckloads of Treasures campaign. Plus, airfreight may not grow next year, trailer orders drop and Connecticut delays toll discussion.

Sales mandates are gaining popularity in the world’s two largest electric vehicle markets.

This week: Electric trucks deployed in Australia; new distribution center in Far North Queensland; high compliance rates with fatigue regulations; and container terminal truck charges.

Health, labor and environmental groups had urged the California Air Resources Board to pass “the most aggressive medium- and heavy-duty truck standard possible.”

The electrification of commercial trucks is edging closer but the industry first must go through a “messy middle” that sorts out the future of diesel and other alternative fuels.

Volvo Trucks is building on sales of electric trucks for urban transport in Europe with battery-electric concepts for construction and regional distribution.

Manufacturers also call for the rapid roll-out of dedicated charging and refueling infrastructure to help reduce the share of trucks running on diesel.

Rising demand for electric vehicles — including medium and heavy trucks — means an increased need for smart grids with smart charging to power those vehicles. Even that may not be enough.

The hype surrounding zero-emission electric trucks is evolving into real-world results for two major freight haulers. Both Penske Truck Leasing and NFI Industries have crossed 10,000 miles of battery-powered, zero-emissions freight hauling.

An Einride vehicle will ferry goods between warehouses operated by Coca-Cola European Partners and Axfood, one of Sweden’s largest food retailers.

Trevor Milton believes replacing diesel trucks with cleaner alternatives will improve the image of trucking and enable legislators to slash emissions.

Electric powertrain manufacturer Lightning Systems announced a $41 million funding round to help meet growing demand for electric powertrains in U.S. commercial fleets. BP Ventures led the investment round, which […]

HyperloopTT does feasibility study on Chicago-Pittsburgh route; Nikola develops the most energy-dense battery; Virgin Atlantic is opening new routes in summer 2020.

Meritor is expanding its Blue Horizon brand of electrified products as it positions itself to be a leading supplier for electric and hybrid vehicle powertrain solutions.

The rule would require half of all new medium- and heavy duty truck sales sold in California by 2030 to be zero-emissions vehicles.

While electric trucks, fuel cell tractors, electrification and e-mobility played a large role in the NACV show,, a number of companies introduced lower-profile products that are an important part of ensuring trucks stay on the road and trucking companies are profitable.

Navistar is skipping the chase for incentives on demonstration electric trucks to consult with customers on custom-built zero-emission medium-duty models with total cost of ownership rivaling a diesel truck.

Meritor Inc. is expanding its electric axle line with two new models and announced that it has been chosen as one of seven suppliers for an electric vehicle project in South America,

The news this week that Hyundai Motor Company is planning a hydrogen-powered tractor for global markets, including the U.S., could be the beginning of a larger presence for the company into North America.

ZF is moving full speed ahead as it builds out its electrification and e-mobility platforms and believes its proposed acquisition of Wabco will allow it to offer full-system solutions to commercial vehicle operators.

Dana is supplying its electrified powertrain to a terminal tractor designed by Lonestar Specialty Vehicles, offering a new chance for fleets to electrify their operations. The tractor has up to 22 hours of continuous charge and can be recharged in just two hours.

Stock soars after the electric vehicle maker posts better than expected Q3 results.

It’s the first step in a broader plan to transform the site into an emission-free freight terminal.

Market Voice Ben Thrower writes about electric vehicles – and their potential impact on the U.S. energy grid.

Motiv Power Systems, which converts medium-duty trucks from gasoline to run on zero-emission electricity from batteries, is getting $60 million in equity funding from Winnebago Industries Inc. and a private holding company in Colorado.

The Swedish autonomous electric truck startup Einride closes a $25 million Series A round.

Deutsche Post-owned EV major StreetScooter has announced plans to expand to the U.S. market, commencing pilot tests early next year with DHL Express.

Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) is on track to deliver five Class 8 VNR electric trucks to California for its multi-partner Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) program before the end of the year, but the infrastructure to charge them may be lagging.

In Australia this week: new truck sales this year in Australia are slumping when compared to last year; transport company PAGE buys Allalong to exploit the Sydney to Tasmania freight market; seaport says millions of truck movements can be eliminated; electric truck is donated to charity; stink-trunk gets un-sunk.

Option raised as part of Capitol Hill debate on congestion pricing

Greenhouse gas regulations are the sticks and incentives are the carrots in driving the heavy-duty truck and commercial vehicle industry to embrace electrification.

U.S. auto parts maker purchases Quebec firm that produces electric drive trains and integrates them into commercial vehicles.

CEO of Ovation Logistics hopes to have 70 to 80 percent of its fleet using zero-emissions vehicles by 2025.

Fund would be used to transition from diesel by 2030.

The concept of customer experience has been around for decades but it is getting new emphasis in trucking as electric and autonomous technology arrives.

Combined with previously authorized programs, the investment is the largest by electric utilities in the U.S. to help replace heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission technology.

Cowen analyst Jeffrey Osborne has raised his estimate for Workhorse Group Inc. shares from $2.00 to $4.00 based on the company beginning production in the fourth quarter of more than 1,100 lightweight electric-powered NGEN vans.

For the first time, Workhorse Group is tying the possibility of a huge contract with the U.S. Postal Service to the acquisition of General Motors Lordstown, Ohio assembly complex.

Brian Aoaeh writes about how machine learning and artificial intelligence can be used to improve transportation and decrease emissions.

Volvo Group and Samsung SDI will work together to advance Volvo’s electric truck plans with direct supply of battery cells and packs to Volvo manufacturing plants.

Volvo Trucks North America is leading a partnership to get heavy-duty electric trucks and the infrastructure they’ll need underway in California.

The country becomes the first to join international Drive to Zero initiative for trucks, cargo vans and buses.

GM closed its Lordstown Complex on March 5, 2019, but it could see new life as the company is negotiating with Workhorse, which would build electric pickups in the facility.

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will put into operation a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) built by Mack Trucks in 2020. The vehicle is an LR model refuse truck. […]

Bosch is working with Powercell to develop a hydrogen fuel stack for vehicles. Plus, housing index has positives for home buyers, JFK starts new phase of air cargo expansion, and trucking company in Denver crash had history of violations.

Three states and several utilities will study the needs of electric trucks along the I-5 corridor to make long-haul electric trucks a reality. Plus, the future of Cummins, flex fuels, and are the Chinese taking our railway jobs?

Down Under Trucking: electric Aussies invade U.S; LNG trucking underway in Western Australia; police crackdown on dodgy waterfront truck drivers; new logistics park for Northline; Australian truck rollovers – roads full of chaos, mayhem and… pig manure.

Marc Bédard, founder and president of Lion Electric, discusses the Canadian-made Class 8 and its promises of winter performance.

Thor Trucks announced it is changing its name to XOS on April 18 after settling a trademark infringement lawsuit with the maker of recreational vehicles with a similar name, Thor Industries Inc., in January.