New Era in Trucking As Biden Pushes for Electric Heavy Vehicles
Heads up, transportation and logistics folks! The Biden administration is making moves to green up our roads. They've rolled out a new regulation pushing for more electric and zero-emission heavy vehicles – think school buses to cement mixers. The goal? To get 25% of new long-haul trucks and 40% of medium-sized trucks emission-free by 2032.
Here’s the deal: From 2027, manufacturers won’t be forced to sell electric trucks, but they'll have to meet tighter pollution limits. This could mean more hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, or more efficient traditional trucks.
Why it matters:
Fleet Evolution: Time to rethink your fleet. With this push, your next set of wheels might just need to plug in.
Infrastructure Changes: Electric trucks need charging stations, so plan your routes and stops accordingly.
Eco-friendly Branding: Jumping on the eco-friendly bandwagon isn’t just good for the planet; it's great for your brand image too.
💡 Industry Insight: This isn’t just about following rules. It’s a major shift towards a more sustainable logistics industry. Adapting quickly can set your company apart and might even save you money in the long run. So, let's start gearing up for a greener future – the ones who adapt now are the ones who'll lead tomorrow.
Nikola made waves with its hydrogen fuel cell electric semi trucks hitting North America, and Biagi Bros. Logistics showcased their new Nikolas on social media shortly after.
While contract and spot prices in the transportation industry have been narrowing, there's still a significant gap between the two, as pointed out by Adamo.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has expanded its strike to include 6,800 workers at a plant producing Ram 1500 trucks, affecting one of Stellantis' key vehicles.
Over the past decade, China's heavy-duty truck (HDT) market experienced significant growth but saw a decline in sales from 1.6 million vehicles in 2020 to 700,000 in 2022.
Despite opposition from truckers and numerous negative comments, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is moving forward with its plan to mandate automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on heavy trucks.
The growing need to modernize truck yards in line with warehouse and transport digitalization is fueling the adoption of established supply chain technologies to enhance asset tracking, allocation, and optimization within these yards.
Calstart, a non-profit environmental advocacy organization, has released a report on phasing in charging infrastructure for zero-emission, battery-electric commercial trucks.
Three major truck and engine manufacturers, including Accelera by Cummins, Daimler Trucks & Buses US Holding LLC, and Paccar, have initiated a joint venture worth an estimated $2 to $3 billion to produce battery cells in the United States.
Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation aims to revolutionize the trucking industry with self-driving technology.
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling 63,095 trucks in the U.S. and Canada due to a potential issue with the windshield wiper motor.
Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo, the autonomous driving company backed by Google, has decided to shift its focus to its ride-hailing service and delay the expansion of Waymo Via, its autonomous commercial trucking arm.
More than 700 bridges in Georgia are unable to handle the increased weight limits approved by lawmakers earlier this year, as reported by Deputy Chief Engineer Andrew Heath to the State Transportation Board.
The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), a trade group representing suppliers in the diesel engine supply chain, is positioning diesel engines as a leading force in achieving a cleaner future for the trucking industry.
Over 100 groups, including truckers from Florida and Pennsylvania, have sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to reverse the federal tailpipe emissions regulations for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to ACT Research, North American Class 8 truck orders rose by 4.5% year-over-year in June, marking the second consecutive month of growth.
Spot rates for van equipment increased in line with seasonal expectations, while flatbed rates experienced a slight decline for the fifth consecutive week, although not as steep as in previous weeks, according to a report by Truckstop and Freight Transport Research.
Improving the aerodynamics of electric Class 8 trucks is crucial for extending their range and overcoming range anxiety, a major obstacle in their widespread adoption.
The California Assembly has passed a bill that would prohibit the testing of autonomous vehicles over 10,000 pounds, and it is now awaiting approval from the state Senate.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have announced a proposed rule that would require heavy trucks and buses to be equipped with automatic emergency braking systems within the next five years.
Navistar, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, has announced the successful outcomes of the International SuperTruck II project.
The deployment of battery-electric trucks in North America has been hindered by significant infrastructure issues, as discussed by Voltera CEO Matt Horton in a conversation with Jim Park, equipment editor.
Schneider National has launched an all-electric trucking fleet and high-scale e-charging center in Southern California.
Carriers and industry stakeholders have been actively involved in advancing autonomous technology, despite ongoing regulatory challenges and the need for further testing.
The concept of Trucks-as-a-Service (TaaS) is gaining attention as a model that aims to facilitate the transition to electric trucks for fleet operators.
Paccar and Toyota have announced an expanded agreement to develop and produce zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks powered by Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell modules.
According to a recent survey by Talking Logistics, only 12% of respondents are testing electric trucks to ship goods, and 76% have no plans to do so in the next 12 months.
Many truckers and trucking companies in California are worried about the future due to a recent regulation that requires half of all vehicles to be electric by 2030.
The American Trucking Association has expressed its serious concern over the reports that the Environmental Protection Agency may allow California to create new emission rules that might be unrealistic and harmful to the trucking and transportation industry.
It’s no grand secret: the transition to green energy-operated heavy duty vehicles has a hefty price tag.
Porsche is ramping up its sustainability efforts in logistics by rolling out six new electric trucks across its Zuffenhausen, Weissach, and Leipzig facilities.