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UPS and Workhorse to Collaborate on Electric Delivery Vehicles

UPS and Workhorse are collaborating to deploy 50 electric delivery vans. UPS ordered 125 hybrid delivery vans from Workhorse in 2016 as well (pictured). Photo: UPS

UPS has announced plans to deploy 50 plug-in electric delivery trucks designed from the ground up as part of a collaboration with Workhorse Group.

The two companies aim to produce electric delivery trucks that are comparable in acquisition cost to conventionally fueled trucks without any subsidies.

The trucks are expected to have a range of around 100 miles per charge and provide a nearly 400% fuel efficiency improvement over conventional trucks.

The Class 5 zero-emission trucks will feature a cab-forward design to optimize the driver compartment and cargo area, increase efficiency, and reduce vehicle weight.

“Electric vehicle technology is rapidly improving with battery, charging and smart grid advances that allow us to specify our delivery vehicles to eliminate emissions, noise and dependence on diesel and gasoline,” said Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance and engineering for UPS. “With our scale and real-world duty cycles, these new electric trucks will be a quantum leap forward for the purpose-built UPS delivery fleet. The all electric trucks will deliver by day and re-charge overnight.”

The trucks will join UPS's Rolling Lab, the company's fleet of more than 9,000 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

UPS will test the vehicles primarily on urban routes across the country, including in Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Following real-world test deployments, UPS and Workhorse will fine-tune the design in time to deploy a larger fleet in 2019.

Since most of the maintenance costs of a vehicle are associated with the engine and related components, UPS expects the operating cost of the new plug-in electric vehicle to be less than a similarly equipped diesel or gasoline vehicle. UPS's goal is to make the new electric vehicles a standard selection, where ...Read the rest of this story

ATA Initiative Highlights the Costs of Crumbling Infrastructure

Deteriorating roads and bridges exact a heavy price on the motoring public and ATA is highlighting them in a new campaign. 

The American Trucking Associations has launched a new initiative, dubbed Road to a Better Future, that highlights the nation's infrastructure needs by demonstrating the extreme costs of traffic congestion and road disrepair.

“Our goal is to educate decision makers and the public about the hidden costs of the status quo,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “If we're to secure a better future for our country and this economy, then we can no longer put off necessary improvements to our national network of roads and bridges.”

While Congress may debate how best to fund the $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan recently proposed by President Trump, ATA is actively promoting its own plan, called the Build America Fund. The ATA plan would generate $340 billion in new revenue over 10 years without adding to the budget, according to the trucking lobby.

“Opponents of a fuel user fee fail to mention a simple fact: deteriorating roads and bridges exact a heavy price on the motoring public – and that cost hits low- and middle-income drivers the hardest,” said Spear. “A fuel user fee is completely paid for by users and does not add a penny to the deficit. There's a reason why Ronald Reagan was such a strong supporter of this policy throughout his presidency”

ATA's Road to a Better Future initiative is being rolled out with a new website that features an educational video and call to action, urging the public to contact their lawmakers to ask them to support infrastructure investment.

“What seems to get lost in the debate about highway funding is that there is a cost to doing nothing, too,” said David Congdon, CEO of ...Read the rest of this story

Heavy Duty Trucking Editors Named Finalists for 4 Neal Awards

The Trucking in the 21st Century series is a finalist in the Neal Awards' Best Series category.

Heavy Duty Trucking's editors have been named finalists in four categories for the 64th Jesse H. Neal Awards, recognizing excellence in business journalism.

The 10-part series Trucking in the 21st Century was named a finalist for Best Series. The series of articles explored the technologies that are impacting the trucking industry and what it means for the success of our readers' businesses.

The series consisted of feature articles written by Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge, Executive Editor David Cullen, Senior Editor Jack Roberts, Equipment Editor Jim Park, and Technology Contributing Editor Jim Beach, as well as additional online content.

HDT was also named a finalist in the Best Instructional Content category for three articles offering how-to advice. Recognized articles included:

• 6 Steps to Thwart Cargo Theft by David Cullen
• Outside Service: Evaluating the Options by Denise Rondini
• 4 Ways to Control Creeping Maintenance Costs by Jack Roberts.

Best Subject-Related Package finalist honors go to the Alt-Fuels Update that ran in the September 2017 issue and was written by Deborah Lockridge, David Cullen, and Jim Park.

Lastly, Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge is a finalist in the Best Commentary/Blog category for her monthly print magazine editorials.

The Jesse H. Neal Awards were created in 1955 by what was then the American Busienss Press and today is Connectiv, to recognize and reward editorial excellence in business publications. They are named after the association's first managing director, who remained active in promoting the B2B industry throughout his life. Heavy Duty Trucking's editors have earned 27 Neal Awards over the years and 35 additional finalist/certificate of merit honors, as well as the Grand Neal.

All entries are put through a two-tiered ...Read the rest of this story

Omnitracs Taps Former BNSF Logistics President as CEO

Omnitracs has appointed industry veteran Ray Greer its chief executive officer; he takes over for John Graham, who served as CEO since 2013.

Ray Greer 

Greer has over 25 years of industry experience and most recently served as the president of BNSF Logistics. He has also held senior leadership roles with Ryder Logistics, FedEx, Greatwide Logistics Services, and Newgistics.

Omnitracs is focusing on emerging industry trends, such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence, and the company said it expects Greer's industry background and technical knowledge to be invaluable in achieving those plans.

“The shipping and logistics industry is experiencing rapid change with the opportunities created by new, data-powered technologies,” said Greer. “Our infrastructure and talent make us uniquely capable to lead the industry in the development and deployment of new products and technologies that will grow our company and unlock tremendous value for Omnitracs' customers.”

The company also recognized Graham's contributions to Omnitracs, which acquired a number of companies, developed new products, and built "a culture of growth and customer service" during his tenure.

“I am proud of all we have been able to accomplish over the last four years, and I am confident that Ray is the perfect CEO for the next stage in Omnitracs' growth,” said Graham. “His technical expertise, understanding of the market, and his vision for the future of shipping and logistics will build on the strong leadership position Omnitracs has built in the market, taking the company to new heights.”

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