Equipment

Milton leaves Nikola in attempt to shield the OEM from criticisms

Milton and Nikola attacked Hindenburg Research's critical report, which claimed the OEM did not have a working model and relied on outsourced technology.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 21, 2020

Omnitracs wades into video-based safety with SmartDrive acquisition

The tech companies' convergence means mutual clients will no longer have to deal with two sets of hardware, two data plans and limited ability to integrate information between the systems.

By S.L. Fuller • Sept. 10, 2020

Estes adds 50 RNG trucks to California fleet

Estes used a Clean Energy Fuels purchase program to buy the renewable-natural-gas trucks, which made the price roughly equal to that of a diesel truck.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 10, 2020

Nikola, GM partnership adds manufacturing power to heavy-duty EV line

Nikola expects limited production of Class 8 hydrogen trucks in Arizona within one year. 

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 09, 2020

IIHS: Automatic braking and warning systems could cut 40% of front-end collisions

Many fleets remain reluctant to install AEB, due to concerns about unforeseen maintenance costs.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 04, 2020

Why the market is ripe for a used truck bargain hunt

Some companies began unloading assets as a way to offset financial damage, adding extra inventory to the market.

By Amanda Loudin • Sept. 03, 2020

Electric trucks are gaining ground over natural gas in the waste industry

2020 is shaping up to be the year electric breaks through, as corporate targets and state mandates push sustainability programs forward.

By Lori Lovely • Sept. 02, 2020

Navistar, In-Charge team up to help fleets deploy EVs

Electric trucks come with a learning curve. Fleets will have questions about maintaining the equipment and overcoming operational challenges.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 28, 2020

NACFE: 6 places with the most potential for regional-haul electric trucks

The regions met three key criteria: freight demand in an area where air quality is of concern; adequate support regarding infrastructure and incentives; and electricity pricing. 

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 26, 2020

Sensors or a ruler? Why brake monitoring tech hasn't proven its ROI to fleet managers

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week serves as a reminder to focus on brake safety, but high-tech diagnostics have yet to receive widespread adoption.

By Amanda Loudin • Aug. 24, 2020

ATA accuses ocean carriers, pool operators of 'sweetheart deal' and limiting chassis choice

The complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission claims ocean carriers get chassis at a cheaper rate than trucking companies, resulting in overcharges totaling "as much as $1.8 billion" over the last three years.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 21, 2020

Deep Dive

Green hydrogen could be the final piece in a zero-emissions future

Green hydrogen beats renewables plus batteries at fueling heavy transport, serving industry and long duration storage — if it can be delivered affordably.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 19, 2020

Wood, wind lift flatbed business as industrial sector shrinks

Flatbed is responding to higher-than-normal demand for pressure-retreated lumber, which consumers are snapping up because of household improvements, according to DAT.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 17, 2020

Anheuser-Busch to transition 180 trucks to renewable natural gas

By converting 30% of its fleet, the company will reduce emissions more than 70% compared to diesel.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 14, 2020

ACT revises 2020 Class 8 order expectations upward

Boosted by spot rates and other green shoots, carriers are confident that shippers will increase business.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 13, 2020

JB Hunt makes 120-mile haul for Walmart in Daimler electric truck

The carrier's first delivery using an all-electric Freightliner eCascadia marked the start of a three-month testing phase.

By S.L. Fuller • Aug. 12, 2020

Nikola lands order of 2,500 electric trucks from waste company Republic Services

Initial testing is expected to begin in Arizona and California, with wider-scale testing in 2022 and full deployment by 2023.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 11, 2020

After 100 years and a loan, YRC readies for another long run

The LTL carrier, whose continued survival has perplexed analysts, escapes the jaws of dissolution once again.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 11, 2020

JB Hunt sets goal to convert 25% of fleet to alternative fuel

The carrier said the ability to convert over-the-road shipments to rail through its intermodal business is one obstacle to achieving its sustainability goals. 

By S.L. Fuller • Aug. 10, 2020

Used truck market won't fully recover until 2022, Ryder says

The company expects to spend less on new tractors, as 2020 yields fewer lease sales. 

By Jim Stinson • July 29, 2020

House members call for suspension of Federal Excise Tax to stimulate truck buying

An FET suspension could stimulate demand for new trucks as Class 8 sales have tumbled, but it would also shrink the Highway Trust Fund.

By Jim Stinson • July 28, 2020

Tesla anticipates more Semi sales as Musk confirms production in Texas

Tesla promised to deliver Semis to customers after the OEM delayed production twice.

By S.L. Fuller • July 23, 2020

ACT: June orders show start of freight, production revival

June had the best month-over-month gain since the Great Recession started to thaw.

By Jim Stinson • July 21, 2020

Opinion

The need for speed in CARB's new zero-emissions trucking future

"It's important to consider solutions that can address 'the other half' of the diesel truck market that will not be electric by 2035," the authors write.

By BJ Johnson & Julie Blumreiter • July 20, 2020

Preparing the maintenance workforce for electric trucks

The labor pool of experienced technicians has always been small, and now trucking firms must train or hire workers with an understanding of high voltage environments.

By Jen A. Miller • July 17, 2020