Trucks Clips: November 12, 2024

 

 

3 Ways A Republican Sweep Could Change The Trucking Industry — “The trucking industry is deeply critical of the Biden administration’s federal emissions regulations, as well as the California Air Resources Board’s state-level emissions standards. A Trump administration will have significant influence over emissions rules. Compared to Democrats, Republicans are generally critical of environmental rules. Trump will likely weaken EPA emissions regulations and could halt the renewal CARB waivers. ATA’s Spear said that the Trump administration has an opportunity to continue its legacy ‘by replacing EPA’s electric-truck rule with national emission standards that are technologically achievable and account for the operational realities of our essential industry.’ OOIDA’s Spencer also said that he looks forward to working with the Trump administration in ‘stopping unworkable environmental mandates.’ While not exactly an electric-truck rule, EPA’s latest major truck emissions rule—GHG3—has received widespread criticisms from trucking organizations. The rule’s stringent emissions limits through 2032 bring an unprecedented incentive for OEM production of EVs and cleaner combustion technology. Industry experts expect GHG3 to raise the cost of new equipment, while some estimate the cost of electrifying trucking to total $1 trillion.” [FleetOwner, 11/8/24 (=)]

 

Two Familiar Faces — “President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is coming together, and Chris and Oriana have some early details on who’s assisting with the efforts at DOT. MT readers should recognize their names: Skip Elliott, who headed up PHMSA during Trump’s first term, and Brigham McCown, who briefly served as senior adviser to then-DOT Secretary Elaine Chao, according to two former Trump administration officials and a transportation industry official with knowledge of the transition. — Elliott couldn’t be reached for comment, and McCown didn’t respond to a request for comment. Elliott also was acting DOT inspector general in Trump’s first administration and has served as an executive at CSX. McCown was part of the president-elect’s transition team in 2016, too.” [Politico, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

What Do Bettors Think — “Everyone wants to know who Trump will tap to head DOT. According to trades on two online political betting markets, Rep. Sam Graves, the T&I chair, and Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), the chair of the panel’s aviation subcommittee, as of about 2 p.m. Sunday both had similar odds. (The lawmakers are being tracked for the role on Polymarket and Kalshi, whose popularity surged this election cycle.) Sam Graves’ chances were pegged at 37 percent and 35 percent, respectively, on Polymarket and Kalshi. Meanwhile, the chances for Garret Graves, who didn’t run for reelection, were at 40 percent and 33 percent. — Of course, the websites are simply a fun way for official D.C. to pass the time as political observers muse about what Trump will ultimately do. (Prediction markets, though, did reflect a likely Trump victory before the election). A spokesperson for Garret Graves didn’t respond to a request for comment. Sam Graves in a statement to POLITICO said it would ‘be an honor if the President called upon me to serve in the Administration, and it’s something I would duly consider.’ But he also noted his interest in receiving a waiver to be T&I chair if Republicans retain House control, and he’s focused on continuing his agenda on the committee, ‘following up the enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act with additional infrastructure wins for our country, and seeing bills like the Water Resources Development Act signed into law.’” [Politico, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

Bureaucrats Worried — “A team of POLITICO reporters, including Chris, spoke with over a dozen civil servants, political appointees under President Joe Biden and recently departed Biden administration staffers to get their thoughts after Trump’s victory. Several appointees at DOT’s headquarters are despondent at the prospect of the next administration set on undoing much of their work over the past four years, including airline consumer protections.” [Politico, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

Early Boon For Musk — “The billionaire’s proximity to Trump appears to already be paying off. Tesla shares rallied Friday, bumping the electric car company’s market cap past $1 trillion. NHTSA regulates the EV-maker, and Musk could soon hold sway over swaths of the federal government as chief of a vaguely-defined efficiency task force.” [Politico, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

 

Op-Ed: Don’t Pump The Brakes On Electric School Buse — According to Michael Steele, “It is very unfortunate when our nations’ leaders put politics before public safety and the wellbeing of our children — and in an election year, we see plenty of that. Case in point: claims by some in Congress that federal government support for electric school buses is a ploy to help the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). While China does have an advantage when it comes to battery manufacturing, something Democrats and Republicans in Congress have sought to address, the majority of electric school bus components are made in the United States. Further, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Clean School Bus program authorized by it, both explicitly require compliance with the Build America, Buy America program’s domestic content requirements. Unsubstantiated claims about e-buses somehow helping the CCP distract from the clear advantages of modernizing our school bus infrastructure and only serve as political theater for some lawmakers to energize a certain segment of their base.” [Maryland Matters, 11/11/24 (+)]

 

 

BrightDrop

 

Walmart Now Deploying Chevrolet BrightDrop Vans — “Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 electric vans are hitting the road this year to support Walmart’s InHome delivery service. The addition of BrightDrop vans to the Walmart last-mile fleet will support the growth of the retailer’s InHome delivery service, help reduce carbon emissions, and provide drivers with safe, efficient, and comfortable vehicles. Walmart InHome associates, who are trained to deliver groceries directly to customers’ homes, participated in a pilot with GM to assess the overall performance of the BrightDrop 400 in live operation scenarios, including city driving and customer deliveries. See also: 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV offers 492-mile range and new trims Associates were impressed with BrightDrop’s 360-degree HD Surround Vision camera and blind-zone steering assist, battery range and reliability, and maneuverability. Here are some key takeaways they shared from the pilot: The vans easily navigated congested roads and dense neighborhoods. Automation features such as auto-closing doors boosted efficiency and improved the associate experience. The low-step ergonomic design allowed easy entrance and exit of the vehicles, allowing for swift and efficient last-mile deliveries.” [FleetOwner, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

CATL

 

Chinese Battery Manufacturer's New Electric Bus Innovation Is A Game-Changer: 'We Aim To Deliver Transformative Enhancements' — “Chinese battery manufacturing giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd launched an electric bus battery with a remarkable 15-year life span, an invention that could revolutionize the commercial vehicle industry. Compared to the adoption rate of personal electric vehicles, the shift to electrify heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and trucks has been relatively slow. In a CATL news release, the company explained that slow charging speeds, high cost of ownership, and short range are the major roadblocks to sustainable commercial transportation. That’s where its CATL Tectrans Bus Edition battery comes in, which sets a new industry standard with a life span of 2.8 million kilometers (1.7 million miles), per CATL. It has an impressive range of about 500 kilometers (310 miles), catering to both short- and long-distance drivers. Perhaps most important, however, is the batteries’ industry-leading energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram. Because of its compact size, it reduces energy usage and offers a super-long range — a major win for the planet and people with range anxiety.” [The Cool Down, 11/9/24 (+)]

 

Nikola

 

Nikola Leads Field In Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Deployment — “Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles may be envisioned as the future workhorse of a decarbonized North American longhaul freight sector, but the development and adoption of these zero-emission trucks has proceeded at a measured pace. Designing and building trucks with a new vehicle architecture and powered by a fuel that requires a completely new fueling infrastructure was bound to be complex and therefore unlikely to happen overnight, and that’s proving to be the case. Unlike the battery-electric trucks that have entered the market in recent years, hydrogen FCEVs are equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell stack — which generates electricity to run the vehicle’s electric powertrain — along with a hydrogen storage system. ‘It’s really complex, even without adding cooling systems,’ said Mike Roeth, executive director at the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. ‘If you had a diesel truck, a battery-electric truck and a hydrogen FCEV truck next to each other, you’d [say], ‘My, hasn’t that gotten complex.’ ‘“ [Transport Topics, 11/7/24 (=)]

 

Captain Morgan Gets A Hydrogen Nikola In Latest DHL Deal — “Global logistics giant DHL is serving Diageo North America – the makers of Captain Morgan rum – with a new deployment of hydrogen powered Nikola semi trucks and a standalone hydrogen fueling station. DHL has established itself as a leader in zero-emission trucking with BEV terminal truck initiatives going all the way back to 2015, when the shipping company put its first Orange EV yard dog to work at Diageo’s Plainfield, Illinois, terminal. As such, you might be surprised to learn that DHL is opting for a hydrogen-powered Nikola instead of the pure electric version. For their part, the Nikola/Diageo press release plays up the ‘EV’ part of ‘FCEV’ in an effort to convince readers that their hydrogen trucks are just as ‘green’ as EVs – which longtime readers of Electrek, of course, realize is nonsense. That said, DHL doesn’t want you to think in terms of hydrogen vs. battery here. Instead, the alternatives are diesel, CNG, or hydrogen. And, in this particular application – heavy haul, easily 350-400 mile routes throughout the Great Lakes region, and limited charging available for big trucks outside of California – the hydrogen trucks might offer a significant emissions reduction compared to diesel, and that’s what the DHL pilot hopes to discover.” [Electrek, 11/9/24 (+)]

 

Volvo Trucking North America

 

Saldivar’s Trucking Becomes First U.S. Independent Owner-Operator To Deploy A Volvo VNR Electric Truck — “Volvo Trucks North America, in collaboration with its dealer TEC Equipment, has announced that customer Saldivar’s Trucking will become the first independent owner-operator in the U.S. to deploy a Volvo VNR Electric truck for drayage operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. ‘While large fleets often make headlines for their ambitious investments in battery-electric vehicles, nearly half of the 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the U.S. are owner-operators running their businesses with just one truck,’ said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. ‘These small operations face unique challenges, from the initial capital investment to securing adequate charging infrastructure. TEC Equipment has been instrumental in supporting owner-operators like Saldivar’s Trucking through the transition to battery-electric vehicles. Their dedication to providing comprehensive support and securing necessary funding demonstrates how crucial dealer partners are in turning the vision of owning a battery-electric vehicle into a reality for fleets of all sizes.’” [ACT News, 11/8/24 (+)]

 

Workhorse Group

 

Workhorse Secures Orders For W56 Electric Step Vans As Demand Increases — “Workhorse Group recently secured purchase orders from three parcel delivery independent service providers for its W56 step vans. The new orders are for seven W56 electric trucks for parcel delivery, including the standard 178-inch wheelbase (1,000 cubic feet of cargo space) and the new 208-inch extended wheelbase (1,200 cubic feet of cargo space). All vehicles are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year. Workhorse’s third quarter was active, with demonstrations performed at multiple parcel delivery terminal depots across California, where FedEx has installed and connected electric charging systems. Additional potential truck orders are now in the quoting process. ‘As parcel delivery fleets transition to zero-emission vehicles, we believe the W56 is an ideal fit,’ Ryan Gaul, president of commercial vehicles at Workhorse, said. ‘We understand the importance of uptime for parcel operators, especially during the busy holiday season. That’s why we back our vehicles with a robust service and support network through our certified dealers and national service partners, which helps keep trucks on the road and deliveries on time. Our W56 models are built for the real-world demands of last-mile delivery, offering effective range, cargo capacity flexibility, durability, and reliability in every configuration.’” [FleetOwner, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

 

Democratic Governors Call For Truck Manufacturer Meeting Amid Slow Electric Sales — “A group of Democratic governors called on heavy-duty truck manufacturers in a Friday letter to meet with state agencies and discuss solutions for increasing electric model sales. What happened: California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the governors of eight other states signed on to California’s sales targets for electric trucks wrote to the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association — which represents companies like Cummins, Daimler and Volvo — asking the trade group to work with them on meeting electrification goals. The eight other states are Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington. Why it matters: The letter from nine blue-state governors comes amid concerns that slower-than-expected adoption of electric trucks is forcing states with clean-truck sales mandates to slow down their implementation. Trucking companies and dealers in states that have adopted California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule — which phases out new diesel truck sales by 2036 — say they’ve struggled to find diesel models because manufacturers have limited supply in response to the regulation, which requires a percentage of all trucks sold to be zero-emission.” [Politico, 11/8/24 (=)]

 

California

 

California Special Session Will Address Trump's Potential Emissions Rollback — “California Governor Gavin Newsom Thursday issued a proclamation calling for the convening of a legislative Special Session in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s re-election this week. … Newsom said his office and the state attorney general ‘have been preparing for a potential second Trump term for more than a year, and we are marshaling the arguments and evidence needed to be ready to challenge in court unconstitutional and unlawful federal policies, and to mount robust and vigorous defenses of California’s laws, policies and programs...’ … In an Aug. 15 speech in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump talked rather extensively about trucks, particularly electric trucks. ‘We want to end the Biden-Harris electrical vehicle mandate,’ he said. ‘We have to get rid of the electric vehicle mandate.’ That’s likely a reference to the Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions standards enacted earlier this year for light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning with the 2027 model year. Similar to EPA’s Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas regulations for heavy-duty trucks, the standards are officially technology-neutral, yet stringent enough to ensure EVs are a bigger part of automakers’ production mix, likewise truck makers’. Specifically speaking about trucks in the speech, Trump alluded to the range challenges that electric trucks currently on the market present compared to their diesel counterparts, likewise the weight challenges. Trump concluded the EV portion of his speech with a vow to ‘repeal all that.’” [Commercial Carrier Journal, 11/8/24 (=)]

 

Calif. Governor Rushes To Protect State’s Control Over Key Issues — “In response to the recent election of former President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom called for a special session of the state legislature to preserve certain ‘values and fundamental rights,’ according to a recent statement. … Many within the administration are concerned with President-Elect Trump’s view of the state’s mandates around clean vehicle technologies, such as the Advanced Clean Fleets and Advanced Clean Trucks rules. The significance of the special session was emphasized by a proclamation released on November 6, which highlighted several key issues within state, including the progress made to reduce overall state emissions. The proclamation indicates that the consequences of Trump’s upcoming presidency could undo ‘clean vehicle policies that are critical to combating climate change.’ During the special session, which will be held December 2, Gov. Newsom will request additional funding for the California Department of Justice and other agencies within the executive branch to support the filing of litigation to defend against possible actions brought on by the incoming administration.” [ACT News, 11/8/24 (=)]

 

California To Brace CARB For Another Trump Term — “California Governor Gavin Newsom began a process that could bolster California Air Resources Board regulations against another Trump term. Newsom last week ordered a special legislative session to prepare the state’s policies for renewed strife with President-elect Donald Trump. On Dec. 2, the state legislature will convene for the special legislative session. For trucking, this means that California might bolster its emissions regulations—including CARB emissions rules—before the Trump administration starts to weaken emissions standards. According to The Recorder, a Trump administration could bump heads with California on several other issues, including immigration, abortion, and workplace laws. The special session will bolster the state’s resources to ‘protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families,’ the governor’s office said. Newsom directed the legislature to use the session to provide additional agency funding and change existing law ahead of the conflict.” [FleetOwner, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

CARB Updates Low-Carbon Fuel Standard — “The California Air Resources Board has approved updates to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). These changes were approved on November 8, following hours of testimony from advocates and opponents to the proposed updates. In a statement, CARB said that the LCFS changes will ‘channel global, national and local private sector investment towards increasing cleaner fuel and transportation options for consumers, while accelerating the deployment of zero-emission infrastructure, and keeping the state on track to meet legislatively mandated air quality and climate targets.’ According to Reuters, CARB’s 14-member board voted 12 to 2 to approve changes to the LCFS. Several members said that the changes were necessary following the election of Donald Trump on November 5. Trump has pledged to rescind CARB’s legislative power to set independent emissions rules for the state. And several CARB members said the latest round of changes were necessary to maintain California’s climate leadership position in the wake of the presidential election.” [Heavy-Duty Trucking, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

Connecticut

 

Op-Ed: Connecticut And The Need To Change From Diesel School Buses To All-Electric Zero-Emission —Adhista Kanuri, “While driving to the movies, my family and I heard on the radio that Connecticut received a $38.9 million grant to convert the CTfastrak bus fleet to electric. This made me think about the only types of buses I had ridden: conventional school buses. I became curious about when conventional school buses would change to electric school buses. I started thinking and it came down to three major questions: why this change is necessary, what enables this change, and where Connecticut is in this process. Conventional school buses release harmful emissions that not only pollute the environment but also lead to potential health issues such as asthma and cancer in children. According to the CDC, six and a half percent of kids under the age of 18 have asthma. Zero-emission buses can help reduce these numbers and prevent worsening asthma symptoms for children. Using an electric school bus means ‘one thousand four hundred and seventy-four tons of Carbon emissions can be eliminated throughout its twelve-year lifespan.’ Converting to all-electric school buses benefits health and preserves the environment for future generations.” [Hartford Courant, 11/8/24 (+)]

 

Illinois

 

Students, Staff At Illinois District Approve Of Propane School Buses — “Attendees heard about the health, monetary and operational benefits of propane autogas school buses in a Friday session during the Transporting Students with Special Needs and Disabilities Conference. ‘What did you do differently, and how did you do it?’ This was the question asked of Diana Mikelski, director of transportation for District 211 in Illinois, after she transported students with special needs to school in a propane-powered school bus rather than a diesel one. During the Friday session, sponsored by Blue Bird and the Propane Education & Research Council, she shared that educators were impressed with how calm, quiet and ready to learn the students were when they arrived at school. She shared that her drivers also benefit from the cleaner air when loading and unloading students. Furthermore, both drivers and aides can hear and speak to students onboard without shouting. When the special needs propane bus was replaced with a diesel one during repairs, a parent noted that his child much preferred the quieter propane.” [School Transportation News, 11/9/24 (=)]

 

New York

 

AP | First Responders To Learn About Electric Buses — “Sidney Central School is planning an opportunity for area first responders to learn more about electric school buses. The event, to be held at the Sidney Central School bus garage at 990 Circle Drive in Sidney, is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 and Wednesday, Nov. 13. It is open to any area police, fire or emergency personnel. Light refreshments will be served and the presentation will cover battery technology, components and safety procedures. Brandon Bessett, a representative with Matthews Buses, said the event is one of several the company has offered across its nearly statewide service area. ‘We’ve done a few across the state and a couple downstate and one in the Oneida area,’ he said. ‘What we do is, we bring our electric bus and we have a couple trainers that put on a presentation that’s geared toward first responders and anybody that is going to have to work on them, like a mechanic, and it’s for safety. It is moreso a training exercise for safety with electric buses.’ Promoting such conversance, Bessett said, is increasingly important.” [The Daily Star, 11/11/24 (=)]

 

Wisconsin

 

Mack Electric LR Is Wisconsin’s First Electric Garbage Truck — “In a bid to clean up its streets in more ways than one, the city of Madison, Wisconsin has added two Class 8 electric trucks to its garbage fleet earlier this year in the form of a pair of Mack Electric LR HDEVs … and the city already has plans to add two more. In 2017, the city of Madison became the 25th North American city to set a zero-net carbon goal for for city operations by 2030 and the city as-a-whole by 2050. To that end, the city has begun electrifying its heavy truck and equipment fleet with the deployment of two Mack Electric LR HDEVs – reportedly the first two Class 8 BEVs to deployed in America’s dairy land. ‘One of the reasons we’re going all-in on electrification is because it’s better for the environment,’ explains Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. ‘These refuse trucks hit every single block in the city of Madison. That is a lot of diesel fumes in our neighborhoods. If we can take even one diesel truck off of the streets … it is a win for our community.’” [Electrek, 11/10/24 (+)]

 

 

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