Alternative power

Nikola updates fuel-cell truck plans for North American market, FMCSA shuts down driver

An Idaho-based trucker was issued a shutdown order after a crash and subsequent breathalyzer tests leading to DUI charges. Also: Nikola unveils its plans for hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks; and an HHG mover pleaded guilty to a scam conspiracy.

February 24, 2021

Alternative power

Grid vulnerabilities for commercial EVs are troubling

Electric trucks and vans have a much lower TCO than conventional but grid vulnerabilities demonstrated this week in Texas and other states could bring on serious setbacks for fleets that are eager to embrace all-electric powertrains.

February 18, 2021

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Alternative power

Electric trucks run 'amazing' up Pikes Peak

Though it was 'not a competition,' all-electric Peterbilt 579EV and Kenworth T680 fuel cell deliver impressive and different results.

January 22, 2021

A Peterbilt 579EV and Kenworth T680 FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) became the first Class 8 trucks equipped with electric powertrains to climb Colorado’s famous and challenging Pikes Peak Highway.

Alternative power

Kenworth testing Gen2 range-extended electrics

Kenworth recently delivered two prototype Kenworth T680 tractors, each equipped with a series hybrid-electric propulsion system, to Southern California drayage, warehouse and transportation company Total Transportation Systems Inc. (TTSI).

February 17, 2021

The two Kenworth T680 hybrid-electric vehicles use the Cummins Westport L9N Near Zero (NZ) emission engine fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG) driving a generator to extend the truck’s battery range.

Alternative power

Navistar partners with GM, J.B. Hunt on hydrogen-powered RH

Under the partnership agreement, OneH2 will supply its hydrogen fueling solution, which includes hydrogen production, storage, delivery and safety and Navistar is taking a minority stake in OneH2.

January 29, 2021

General Motors Fuel Cell Controls and Process Engineer Joe Truchan operates a coating machine in the fuel cell laboratory at the GM Global Propulsion Systems Pontiac Engineering Center in Pontiac, Michigan.

Alternative power

Navistar expanding in Texas, where it plans to build electric trucks

The additional property, which brings Navistar's total investment in the region to in excess of $275 million, will also house a state-of-the-art truck validation center and a truck specialty center to provide post-production customization.

February 11, 2021

This new investment in San Antonio builds on other important steps Navistar has taken to drive its leadership in manufacturing advanced-technology products, including the company's investment of $125 million in its Huntsville, Alabama, facility to produce next-generation big-bore powertrains.

Alternative power

DTNA putting millions into BEV powertrain

The company expects to invest upwards of $20 million in its Detroit, Michigan, manufacturing facility, which will serve as the source of Detroit ePowertrain components in North America when initial production begins later this year.

February 9, 2021

The Detroit ePowertrain will be mated to one of three battery offerings for the eCascadia and eM2, including a 210 kilowatt hour (kWh) version, a 315 kWh version, and a 475 kWh version.

Alternative power

Engine parts makers argue federal fleet should include internal combustion

President Biden's recent executive order on climate change includes 'clean and zero-emission' vehicles. So, will some internal combustion engines qualify as clean? Stakeholders weigh in.

February 4, 2021

The Cummins Westport ISX12N is certified at near-zero emissions.

Alternative power

Meritor readies electric axle production

February 3, 2021

Meritor has reached supplier agreements with Lion Electric, a Canadian manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, Autocar, an American specialty truck manufacturer, and Volta Trucks, a London-based electric commercial vehicle startup. Each company will use the Blue Horizon 14Xe integrated ePowertrain in its production trucks.

Fleet exec has plan to bridge the divide to electric trucks

After seeing the benefits of renewable diesel, Keith Wilson has a plan to make the fuel affordable to all fleets in Oregon and stay ahead of government regulations.

February 1, 2021

Keith Wilson, president of Titan Freight Systems, is working with Oregon legislators to draft a bill that would phase out sales of petroleum diesel, starting in 2023, and increase the supply of renewable fuels.

Hydrogen fuel cell

J.B. Hunt excited but cautious on fuel cell and all-electric technology as OEs see progress

After losing out on natural gas, J.B. Hunt is taking a more cautious approach to fuel cell and all-electric trucks

January 29, 2021

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Alternative power

Green energies present many TCO unknowns

Market impacts for truck TCO estimation used to only be impacted by uncontrollable market variables like interest rates and residual value of used trucks.

January 29, 2021

There is complexity in estimating a residual value for vehicles when there is not yet any established track record for used battery electric and fuel cell trucks.

Alternative power

Tesla Semi facing shortage of battery cells

Semi would use about five times more cells than a passenger car, yet would not retail for five times what a car would sell for, "so it kind of would not make sense for us to do the Semi right now,” said Tesla boss Elon Musk.

January 28, 2021

While the electric truck market has gotten crowded since Semi made its public debut in late 2017, Musk speculated that his Semi could be the first to achieve full autonomy.

Battery electric

‘Game changing’ Toyota solid-state battery lighter, much more powerful than current lithium-ion

To further vehicle electrification, Toyota announced its development of a lighter, more powerful solid-state battery to be released in the next few years.

January 11, 2021

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Ford still working on fuel cell while banking largely on all-electric

As Ford continues to focus on fuel cell technology, the company is primarily banking on all-electric vehicles. Learn more about their latest reveal on CCJ.

December 2, 2020

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Fleets report success with tandem-capable CNG hybrid

Tandem hauling isn't for diesel trucks only anymore. Trucks powered by CNG and equipped with the Hyliion Hybrid System are capable of tandem hauls as well.

December 2, 2020

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Tesla Semi slated for 24% range increased

Elon Musk announced the development of a battery for the long-awaited Tesla Semi that's slated to increase its range from 500 to 621 miles. Details on CCJ.

November 25, 2020

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Ford unveils 2022 E-Transit with 40% reduction in total cost of ownership

Ford continues to embrace California’s zero-emissions policies and the Paris Agreement with its reveal of the 2022 E-Transit van. Details here on CCJ.

November 13, 2020

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With serial production of its electric eCascadia and eM2 set for next year, DTNA earlier this month unveiled Detroit electric ePowertrain.

Daimler, Cummins partnership puts writing on the wall for DD5, DD8 engines

DTNA will wind down production of its DD5, DD8 engines through medium-duty partnership with Cummins.

With COVID vaccine ‘peak season’ nigh, can trucking keep up with looming load demand?

Locomation is planning to initially roll out autonomous vehicle technology using a convoy.

Floodgates wide open for investment in trucking and logistics

Lack of load availability last spring -- and the cheap rates on the loads that were available -- were the prime contributing factor in the spike in carrier failures last year, said Donald Broughton, principal and managing partner of Broughton Capital.

Carrier failures mounted in '20, but so did new entrant carriers

GOODYEAR BRINGS ADVANCED TIRE MONITORING TECHNOLOGY TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN

GOODYEAR BRINGS ADVANCED TIRE MONITORING TECHNOLOGY TO NORFOLK SOUTHERN

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