Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025:
FHWA suspends grant program for EV chargers
The Trump administration’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) last week announced the suspension of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grant program, which provides funding to states to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) chargers and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability.
In a Feb. 6 letter to state Department of Transportation leaders, FHWA Associate Administrator Emily Biondi said new DOT leadership “has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program,” and is rescinding guidance related to the program, thus suspending the approval of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans for all fiscal years.
“Therefore, effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program until the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is issued and new state plans are submitted and approved,” the letter added.
Fuel retailers responded to the suspension of the program, with truck stop organization NATSO and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) signaling their intent to work with the Trump administration to improve the program.
“The NEVI program has in many states helped catalyze existing gas stations and truck stops to install fast, state-of-the-art EV charging stations,” the groups said. “In other states, NEVI has been implemented poorly, with chargers either still not built or, if they are, they're in places nobody wants to stop. We are encouraged that the Trump Administration is reevaluating rather than abandoning the NEVI Program and intend to work closely with the Administration to share our experience and keep what's been working, while reconsidering clearly unproductive approaches."
Electric Freightliners recalled over possible loss of drive power
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling approximately 810 model year 2020-‘25 Freightliner eCascadia and 2022-‘26 Freightliner eM2 trucks in which the electric vehicle power distribution module (EVDM) may not be assembled properly. The recall states this can cause electrical circuits to disconnect and result in a loss of drive power
The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 31. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number F1017. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-046.
Battery short-circuit risk prompts recall of small number of Volvo electric trucks
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling approximately 13 model year 2023-‘25 VNR Electric trucks.
In the affected units, the high-voltage battery may contain loose hardware, which can create a short circuit inside the battery cells, increasing the risk of a fire.
Dealers will replace the batteries, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 6. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2501. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-055.
Kenworth, Peterbilt trucks recalled for lighting issue
Paccar is recalling more than 5,000 trucks due to an issue in which the exterior lighting switch may fail, resulting in the hazard lights and the instrument display back-light brightness adjustment not functioning.
The recall affects 5,378 of the following makes and models:
- 2025 Kenworth T180
- 2025-’26 Kenworth T280
- 2023-’26 Kenworth T380
- 2024-’26 Kenworth T480
- 2025 Peterbilt 535
- 2024-’26 Peterbilt 536
- 2024-’26 Peterbilt 537
- 2024-’26 Peterbilt 548
- 2025 Peterbilt 567
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, these units do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
Inoperative hazard lights cannot alert other drivers as intended, and the inability to adjust the brightness on the instrument panel display can make it difficult to see critical safety information or distract the driver. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash, NHTSA said.
Dealers will update the vehicle cab controller unit (VECU) software, free of charge. Owners are advised that a non-responsive switch can be temporarily reset by a key cycle. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30. Owners can contact Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 with recall number 25KWB and Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 with recall number 25PBB. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-041.
