Trucks Clips: May 13, 2024

 

 

White House Uses Infrastructure Week To Tout Progress On Thousands Of Projects — “The White House said it has so far announced nearly $454 billion in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the president signed in late 2021. The money has been used to fund projects and awards in more than 4,500 communities in all 50 states. ‘Across the country, we are breaking ground and cutting ribbons on projects that are unlocking access to economic opportunity,’ Natalie Quillian, deputy White House chief of staff, said on a call with reporters. To date, the administration has launched nearly 13,000 bridge repair projects and improvements on more than 257,000 miles of road. The government has also provided funding for over 5,000 clean school buses intended to lower emissions, as well as funding to help replace up to 1.7 million toxic lead pipes. As part of Infrastructure Week, the White House also unveiled an updated map showing where there are projects receiving funding from the infrastructure law. … ‘All of this progress is part of the president’s larger vision to invest in America,’ Quillian said, citing legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act, the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act that have focused on private sector investments and provisions to lower costs.” [The Hill, 5/13/24 (+)]

 

Green Transition Is Stitched Into The Tax Code: White House Economist — “White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Lael Brainard dismissed the notion that Republicans would be able to easily reverse the sustainable energy provisions passed in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) even if they win majorities in the general election this fall. By building the energy transition into the tax code and incentivizing businesses and households to change their behaviors rather than compelling them to do so with more top-down spending initiatives, the Inflation Reduction Act is insulated from any quick-and-dirty policy corrections that may be desired by a new Congress or presidential administration, Brainard argued Friday. ‘This is now the tax code,’ Brainard said, speaking at an event in Washington. ‘These rules are complex, they take a very long time to write, and they take a very long time to amend.’ ‘These transformative projects [are] in communities all around the country,’ she added. … For households, these include credits extending through 2032 for 30 percent of the cost of solar electricity products, fuel cells, wind turbines, and battery storage units. Similar credits for energy efficiency upgrades are available for windows, exterior doors, insulation materials and home electric vehicle chargers. For businesses, credits are available for clean manufacturing investment and production, electric vehicles, biodiesel and alternative fuels, nuclear power production and carbon sequestration, among many other technologies.” [The Hill, 5/10/24 (+)]

 

 

 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

 

OMB Begins Review Of NHTSA Fuel Economy Rule — “The White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) has started inter-agency review of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) updates to light-duty vehicle fuel economy standards for model year 2027 and subsequent vehicles, paving the way for the agency to issue the requirements in the coming weeks. The draft final fuel economy requirements arrived at OMB on May 6, according to a regulatory notice. While the duration of OMB’s planned review is unclear, it comes as federal agencies are pressing to finalize high-profile rules soon enough to prevent them being subject to potential repeal under the Congressional Review Act in the next Congress, though it is possible that NHTSA’s package might not be finalized in time to avoid such a scenario. … The plan also includes separate requirements for heavy pickups and vans that assume a 10 percent annual improvement starting in MY30 and extending to MY35.” [Inside EPA, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

 

 

OOIDA Foundation Points Out Problems With EPA Mandate — “An analysis from the OOIDA Foundation raises many of the concerns expressed by truckers when it comes to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Phase 3 greenhouse gas regulations for heavy-duty vehicles. Earlier this year, the EPA issued final rules that apply new emission standards for light vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. The new truck emission standards apply to heavy-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032. The final rule requires a quarter of sleeper cab tractors to have zero tailpipe emission by 2032. The OOIDA Foundation points to operational realities that the mandate ignores as it pushes the industry in the direction of electric trucks. Technological challenges, a lack of infrastructure and cost are all factors. The OOIDA Foundation notes: The mandate would require 1.4 electric charging stations be installed by 2032. Current electric vehicles lack the range needed by long-haul truckers. Temperature fluctuations can reduce an EV’s range by up to 40%. On average, it takes one hour to charge an electric vehicle to 80%. Utility companies will need to invest $370 billion to upgrade networks. Truckers will need to invest $620 billion for their own charging infrastructure.” [Land Line, 5/10/24 (-)]

 

 

 

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

 

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Sends eActros 600 On Extensive Test Run — “Mercedes-Benz Trucks will conduct its most extensive test run with its new electric flagship, eActros 600, this summer. The intention is for two near-series prototypes of the battery-electric long-haul truck to travel across more than 20 European countries, each completing more than 8,000 miles with 40 tons of total towing weight. With this venture, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will gain experience on a wide range of routes in different topographies and climate zones with an eye on energy consumption. The manufacturer intends to share these findings with interested customers. The company hopes to use the tour to prove that purely battery-electric long-distance hauling is possible in Europe with the eActros 600. The batteries will be charged exclusively at public charging stations. While a seamless public truck charging infrastructure is still vital to the further market ramp-up of e-trucks, the eActros 600 European Testing Tour 2024 is intended to send a positive message to all parties involved. The more than 600 kWh battery capacity and an efficient electric drive axle enable the eActros 600 to achieve a range of more than 300 miles without intermediate charging.” [FleetOwner, 5/12/24 (=)]

 

Motiv

 

Motiv Completes Delivery Of Additional 55 Electric Trucks To Purolator — “Motiv, a leading Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of class 4-6 electric trucks and buses driving the backbone of modern commerce, today announced it has fully completed the delivery of 55 Motiv electric trucks to Purolator, a leading integrated freight, package, and logistics solutions provider. Purolator ordered the additional vehicles last year following a successful pilot of five Motiv electric trucks in 2021. The new trucks bring Purolator’s total Motiv truck count to 60, which have been deployed to daily routes across Canada in Richmond, B.C., Quebec City, Que., Montreal, Que., and Vancouver, B.C. Purolator’s first five Motiv electric trucks delivered in 2021 have completed tens of thousands of miles of deliveries while reducing tailpipe Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, helping Purolator move toward its 2030 goal of vehicle electrification and reduced GHG emissions.” [CleanTechnica, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

 

 

Heavy-Duty EV Truck Charging Center Heads To Alliance — “Landmark Texas gas stations like Love’s and Buc-ee’s will soon have competition from a new beacon for truck drivers: electric charging hubs. Dallas-Fort Worth is edging into the heavy-duty elect charging market with a site set to open in Alliance in mid-2025. Austin-based Gage Zero and developer Hillwood have partnered to bring the infrastructure to the logistics center, home to regional hubs for national companies including FedEx and Amazon Air. The center will have an amenities building and the charging capacity for up to 100 commercial vehicles, from box trucks to semis. It’s one of many charging sites needed to support trucking in the coming decades as logistics companies confront a new emissions rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in March. The rule establishes limits for carbon emissions — the exact amount varies by truck size and classification — on model-year trucks beginning in 2027 that tighten each year through 2032.” [The Dallas Morning News, 5/13/24 (+)]

 

 

 

California

 

California's 'Secret' 50-Cent Gas Tax Hike Coming In The Next Two Years — “A longstanding emissions reduction program may lead to a 50-cent increase in gasoline prices within two years in California, according to a little-known state air quality regulator report. In September, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the state’s primary environmental regulator, reported gas prices will rise next year by about 50 cents a gallon and every year thereafter to aid in clean air efforts. The price increase does not include the existing gas tax in the state. Republican state Sen. Janet Nguyen, one of the legislature’s most critical tax hawks, told Fox News Digital the ‘secret’ tax increase ‘would penalize the majority of Californians.’ ‘The middle class, the low income, they can’t afford gas to go to school, work or grocery or the doctor’s office,’ Nguyen said. ‘No one knows about this. I think people just think it’s a tax, so they don’t know the difference between the carbon tax versus the state tax. It’s almost like a tax on the tax.’ The report foresees gasoline price increases due to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard reforms that were created in 2007, likely rising by 47 cents next year and 52 cents by 2026. Diesel prices could climb by 59 cents this year and 66 cents in two years. Long-term projections suggest gasoline could surge by $1.15 and diesel by $1.50 per gallon from 2031 to 2046, with jet fuel increasing by $1.21.” [Fox Business, 5/13/24 (-)]

 

New York

 

Schools Going Electric In The North Country — “We take you to Malone Central School, one of the first school districts in the North Country buying electric buses. We’ll talk with the Superintendent about how the school district is trying out 4 new electric buses that arrived in the past several months. Malone CSD bought the buses in advance of a mandate by the State of New York that all buses purchased after 2027 be electric or zero-emission. Federal EPA grant money helped the school district buy the buses for about 60-thousand dollars each, far below the cost of a new gas or diesel bus. The grant money also helped cover the cost up the equipment and infrastructure needed to charge the buses’ batteries.” [Mountain Lake PBS, 5/10/24 (+)]

 

NYC School Bus Electrification Earns 2024 Award — “New York City’s ambitious project to electrify its school bus fleet has been honored with the 2024 ‘Transportation Power Player’ award by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA). The initiative, led by New York City School Bus Umbrella Services (NYCSBUS) and its partners, showcases a successful integration of zero-emissions buses with advanced smart charging technology. This accolade highlights the project’s innovation, collaboration, and potential for scalability in urban environments. Key Highlights: Award-Winning Initiative: NYCSBUS’s ‘Electrifying School Buses in the Bronx’ project won the 2024 Power Player of the Year award. Technological Innovation: The project features automated load management technology, allowing efficient electric charging at constrained sites. Community and Environmental Impact: Zero emissions buses offer significant benefits to local communities and contribute to cleaner air. Recognition of Collaboration: Partnerships with entities like CALSTART and the Bronx Community College were pivotal in achieving project goals.” [The EV Report, 5/11/24 (+)]

 

 

 

There’s Another Chinese Electric Vehicle Threat: Buses — “Carmakers, governments and the European Commission are increasingly worried about Chinese battery-powered cars, but there’s another looming transport threat: electric city buses. European leaders are meeting this week with Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping, who on Friday wrapped up a visit to France, Serbia and Hungary. A fierce point of tension during the visit was the EU probe over whether Chinese EVs are being unfairly subsidized. A fifth of the EVs sold in Europe last year were from China and green NGO Transport & environment expects that to grow to a quarter this year. There are similar concerns about the bus sector: that China could use the scale of its domestic market — where almost all buses are electric — and its lower production costs to crush European rivals. But for now, Brussels is brushing off industry calls for it to examine Chinese bus-makers for unfair subsidies. ‘Threats to industry competitiveness include fierce global competition, with Chinese bus manufacturers having gained market shares in the EU over a number of years already,’ said Thomas Fabian, chief commercial vehicle officer with EU car lobby ACEA.” [Politico, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

More Electric Trucks Coming To Us, But China Still Leads — “A few days ago, we told our readers about how ASKO, Norway’s largest food distributor, has converted much of its fleet to electric trucks. (It is also using electricity from rooftop solar panels to charge them.) In the US, the transition to electric trucks is also picking up speed, especially in Southern California. Why? Because SoCal is where the majority of products manufactured in foreign countries enter the United States. Millions of shipping containers arrive in its ports every year. First they have to be unloaded from the ships that transported them across the Pacific using diesel-powered cranes, then diesel-powered yard trucks shuttle them around the terminal. Finally, they are hauled by other diesel-powered trucks to massive distribution centers where they are sorted and assigned to other long-haul diesel trucks that will move them to regional warehouses all across America.” [CleanTechnica, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

 

 

NACFE Releases New Report On Electric Truck Depots — “The North American Council for Freight Efficiency and RMI have released a new report titled Electric Truck Depots Are Evolving: How 10 Fleets Grew Their BEV Populations. The report documents the yearlong effort to bring Run on Less–Electric Depot to fruition and analyzes the initial findings and lessons learned from this demonstration. The report explains what RoL-E Depot was and why NACFE thought it was essential to launch the effort, which followed 22 battery-electric trucks at 10 fleet depots in North America. The purpose of RoL-E Depot was to focus on the benefits and challenges of scaling from one or two battery-electric trucks to 15 or more. ‘We’re definitely on the edge of a new time where BEVs are starting to get adopted in the commercial vehicle space,’ said Isaiah Larson, program manager of electric walk-in vans at Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. After reviewing 121 fleet depots, NACFE selected 10 that had deployed BEVs at scale. For each RoL-E depot entry, NACFE required both the fleets and the OEMs to agree to participate. ‘Battery-electric vehicles are not just expensive lawn ornaments,’ said Katy Link, electromobility sales manager at Volvo Trucks North America. ‘These trucks are pulling trailers and delivering goods in a sustainable way.’” [FleetOwner, 5/10/24 (=)]

 

Electric Truck Conversion Will Double Operational Costs, Report Reveals — “Amid government efforts to push adoption of electric trucks, a new white paper released by Ryder reveals massive costs of converting fleets to electric will significantly raise overall inflation. In a new report, Ryder compared the costs associated with operating a diesel truck to costs operating an electric truck. The megacarrier that manages nearly 260,000 commercial vehicles found converting to electric will double its Class 8 vehicle operating costs. Using averages from its large database, Ryder’s Class 8 comparison assumes the following for diesel trucks: 100- to 500-mile haul range One to two trips per day 109,000 miles annually 2 truck drivers per truck 29,000-pound average payload With today’s technology, electric trucks’ maximum payload is 22,000 pounds. Considering a reduced payload – combined with charging and delivery times – it will take nearly two electric trucks and more than two truck drivers to match the production output of one diesel truck. When it comes to dollars and cents, that equals hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to replace just one diesel truck. The bulk of that cost increase is for the truck alone.” [Land Line, 5/10/24 (-)]

 

 

 

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