Fuel/Emissions

TransPower’s Totally Electric Class 8 Truck

True zero-emissions freight transportation is closer to reality than you might think. TransPower USA has five Class 8 tractors currently in service at the Port of Long Beach, CA. The company also has several yard shunt tractors and school buses in real-world service. These trucks are not cobbled together McGiver jobs, either. They are highly engineered and look just like factory installations. These trucks could be the long sought-after solution to diesel emissions in areas with real air quality issues. We recently had a opportunity to test drive one of these electric Class 8 trucks and found it to be a very functional alternative to a diesel tractor. We had the truck without a trailer, so we can't report on its pulling power, but the company says the truck is powered by two 200-hp electric motors. That's 400 horsepower, plus you get the benefit of the very high torque output of the electric motors.

Vnomics’ True Fuel Part One: Bad Jim

PITTSFORD, NY -- Since you can't physically sit beside your drivers all day, observing and coaching their driving habits and performance, some sort of monitoring tool can be quite useful. However, if drivers see such devices as annoying or impeding their ability to drive the truck, they won't happily accept the intrusion.

Pinball Clemons’ Pollution Solution

How to cut idling costs, humanely

TORRANCE, CA- Limiting idle time is a sure-fire way to cut fuel costs for over-the-road fleets, but how do you do it without compromising driver comfort and safety?

Good for what oils you

TORONTO – To meet the expected greenhouse gas/fuel efficiency standards the federal government is in the process of developing, oil companies and engine makers have been busy developing a new standard…

All quiet on the engine front

TORONTO - Here's part one of a two-part look at the emissions regimes we have now and what sort of dust-ups we can expect in the not-distant future.

Fleets missing out on fuel savings: report

NASHVILLE, TN- Fleets that optimize their electronic engine parameters for fuel economy can expect to see about a 0.5-mpg improvement in fuel economy, according to a…

New look and vision for Fleet Engineers

LAS VEGAS, NV – Fleet Engineers, Inc. has unveiled a new logo and an ambitious corporate vision to expand its offerings to the heavy duty aftermarket. Its newly redesigned logo…

Online survey: Great Dane seeks your input on GHG rules

CHICAGO, IL - Trailer manufacturer creates online survey to hear how transportation companies will be affected by new greenhouse gas phase II regulations.

Biodiesel output slumps in 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. biodiesel market shrunk in 2014 amid policy uncertainty in Washington that destabilized the industry and caused many biodiesel plants to shut down or reduce production. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, total U.S. biodiesel consumption fell to 1.75 billion gallons for the year, down slightly from nearly 1.8 billion gallons in 2013. The downturn came as the Obama Administration failed to finalize biodiesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the U.S. Congress allowed the biodiesel tax incentive to lapse at the beginning of 2014. "These numbers reflect the consequences of policy inaction," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the industry trade association.

EPA certifies Westport’s Ford Transit modification

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Westport also expects California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification soon in 2015.

Drink haulers find 13% fuel savings

WASHINGTON, DC - New sustainability initiative shows gains in fuel efficiency of North American fleet.

Volvo Group plants recognized for energy savings

GREENSBORO, NC - Truckmaker holds top three positions in Superior Energy Performance program.

New Brunswick eases restriction on rear-drag devices

MONCTON, NB - Keltic Transportation says it will deploy 90 full-length aerodynamic boat tail devices in its fleet by end of year.

Ryder Wants to Help You Make More Money. Here’s How.

MIAMI, FL- Truck-and-equipment leasing firm Ryder System announced it is sponsoring TruckingEfficiency.org, a free, independent, online technology guide aimed to help fleet owners double their fleet efficiency.