Federal Agencies

 

Truckers Collide With EPA Over Big-Rig Emission Standards — “The trucking industry and congressional Republicans are fighting a new EPA regulation aimed at reducing smog-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks — a mandate that is likely to significantly increase costs for big rigs and for shipping in general. And an upcoming separate rule aimed at mitigating greenhouse gases from the same vehicles could complicate matters further because the technologies for reducing smog and carbon emissions might not be compatible. The EPA’s nitrogen oxide (NOx) rule, finalized in December and taking effect later in March, requires heavy- and medium-duty vehicles starting in model year 2027 to meet the ‘most stringent’ emissions reduction option first proposed by the agency a year ago. The new rules have triggered an outcry from small-fleet truckers that echoes their response when EPA last tightened emission standards for big trucks 12 years ago. ‘We went through all of this in 2011,’ said Lewie Pugh, longtime trucker and executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which represents small businesses and professional truck drivers. ‘Back then, there was a $20,000 price increase on this technology … and there was more trouble with those trucks than before. It pushed thousands of small truck drivers out of business.’” [Roll Call, 2/28/23 (=)]

 

 

Manufacturers, Fleets, & OEMs

 

Hyzon Motors Inc.

 

Hyliion And Hyzon Motors Will Collaborate On Fuel Cell Truck — “The first version of Hyliion’s hybrid-electric truck is still about a year from production. But the third version of the Hypertruck ERX will be a hydrogen-powered fuel cell developed with Hyzon Motors, the companies said Wednesday. The two startups expect to integrate a Hyliion electric powertrain system with a Hyzon fuel cell by late this year. Production would follow when sufficient hydrogen fueling infrastructure is available, Hyliion founder and CEO Thomas Healy said Wednesday. ‘Initial adoption of hydrogen vehicles will likely occur in a regional fashion surrounding fueling locations designed to support trucks,’ Healy said on a conference call with analysts. ‘As more stations are built out and the cost of hydrogen comes down, we expect to see adoption grow and applications shift from regional to include long haul.’ Hyliion has a product road map that moves from natural gas to a fuel-agnostic generator — technology purchased from General Electric — as its second product. It will show a mockup of the Karno generator in a Hypertruck in May at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim, California.” [Fright Waves, 3/1/23 (=)]

 

Mercedes-Benz AG

 

Daimler Buses Focuses On Electric City Buses In Mannheim — “Daimler Buses is turning its plant in Mannheim, Germany, into a centre of competence for electric city buses. From 2024, the plant will focus entirely on producing electrically powered city buses and become more involved in component production. According to a company statement, it is part of an agreement reached by the company’s management with the works council of EvoBus GmbH on the future of the German locations. The Citaro and the electric eCitaro version are built at the Mannheim plant, for example. The second German site, Neu-Ulm, will remain the competence centre for coaches. Daimler Buses says it will invest around 150 million euros in the two German plants by the end of the decade. From the second half of the decade, fully electric intercity buses will also roll off the production line in Neu-Ulm, as well as coaches with battery-electric and hydrogen-based fuel cell drive systems from the end of the decade. Daimler Buses is focusing on both technologies, in line with the dual strategy of its parent company Daimler Truck.” [Electrive, 3/2/23 (=)]

 

 

States & Local

 

Pennsylvania To Acquire Ten Fuel Cell Buses — “The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has approved a contract for the purchase of ten fuel-cell electric buses, made by New Flyer of America. The purchase of the fuel cell buses is also designed to allow SEPTA to evaluate the technology as the Authority develops plans for a zero-emission bus fleet. The contract includes the delivery of ten 40-foot low-floor fuel cell electric buses, fueling infrastructure, training aids, and tools and equipment. The new vehicles are expected to be implemented by the summer of 2024. At this stage, already over 90% of SEPTA’s current buses are electric-diesel hybrids, and the company is looking to eliminate the combustion part of that balance. These buses were also ordered from New Flyer back in 2018, although the plan at the time had been to electrify 95% of the fleet with hybrid buses. While this target fell slightly short, the new initiative to fully eliminate emissions from the fleet will finish the job.” [Electrive, 3/2/23 (=)]

 

 

 

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