Harvey Damage Raises Fuel Prices, Lowers Oil Prices

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard District 5/ Petty Officer 3rd Class Corinne Zilnicki

As a result of the flood damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, fuel prices are rising across the country – but curiously, crude oil prices have dropped at the same time.

In the oil-producing Gulf region affected by the storm, eight Texas refineries have been shut down with as much as 2.7 million barrels per day of oil processing potential, according to the Oil Price Information Service. In the most recent report from the Energy Department, diesel prices hit a yearly high of $2.60 per gallon on average for the week, but the price reflected less than 1 cent of increase nationally. Much of the price increase will likely be reflected in next week's numbers, as rain and flooding from Harvey could continue until Thursday, Aug. 31.

While the refineries were shut off as a precaution for the storm, flood damage has occurred at some facilities. ExxonMobil revealed that its Baytown and Beaumont refineries were flooded and unable to contain certain chemical pollutants as a result.

The immediate area of the Gulf States and the Northeast are expected to be hardest hit by the interruption in oil refining capacity, with OPIS saying that unbranded fuel prices will increase in most parts of the U.S. as well.

The hurricane is having the opposite effect on crude oil, however, with prices hitting their lowest point in two months, according to CNN Money. With so many refineries shutting down, the demand for crude oil has slipped as well, and a glut of supply from the shale oil industry is also offsetting the storm's effect on prices. Demand was also decreased because Houston, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S., has been put out of commission, so the need for gas ...Read the rest of this story

Quick Spin: ZF’s Reax Electronic Steering System

A single index finger was all that was needed to whip this Peterbilt through a Figure-8 course with ZF's Reax steering system. Photo: Jack Roberts

For all the angst out there concerning self-driving cars and trucks, I've been saying for some time that – in the early stages, at least – there will be a lot for drivers to like about autonomous vehicle technology. That's because, if we're talking Level 2 or Level 3 vehicle control systems (which make up the bulk of the various autonomous technologies available today), then we're really talking about systems that are designed to work with, and compliment, a driver and make their lives a little easier, or safer, as they're going down the road.”

ZF's new Reax electronic steering augmentation system, showcased early in August at the company's Commercial Vehicle Steering Technology Center in Lafayette, Ind., is a prime example of this trend. Reax is a smart, electronic control system that takes input data from various sensors around the vehicle, including the driver, and either loosens or tightens steering response based on what the truck is doing and what the driver needs in terms of steering inputs to do it safely.

Mark Cartwright, global product planning manager for ZF, noted before a test drive in mid-August that Reax is a speed-proportional control system, meaning it tightens up at low speeds and you're cutting the wheels back and forth quickly in backing or parking operations, and it tightens it up at highway speeds when you need a better “feel” for the road and the ability to react quickly and precisely to other vehicles or debris in the road. More than that, though, Reax can look at what a driver is doing and help compensate for steering offsets to ease fatigue and increase safety.

If, for example, you're holding ...Read the rest of this story

OOIDA files ELD enforcement petition with FMCSA

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) filed a petition Aug. 29 with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) alleging that 26 states have not yet incorporated an electronic logging regulation into state law and are not authorized to enforce the rule until they do so.

OOIDA said it supports a proposed delay to the mandate due to a number of reasons, including what it calls “the lack of preparedness of all law enforcement agencies nationwide.”

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OOIDA: States Must Pass Rules Before Federal ELD Mandate Is Enforced

Photo: FMCSA

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association filed a petition with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Aug. 29 that contends that “26 states have not yet incorporated an electronic logging regulation into state law and are not authorized to enforce the rule until they do so.”

OOIDA said that it “supports a proposed delay to the mandate due to a growing number of reasons including the lack of preparedness” of law enforcement agencies. The association's petition says that more than 20 states are “years behind in adopting amendments and additions to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations into state law.”

In addition, OOIDA claimed in a press release on its petition that to qualify for federal grants under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, states are required to incorporate the FMCSRs or their equivalent into state law. “In 2016, 95% of motor carrier and driver enforcement violations were issued by MCSAP states,” the association noted.

The petition also states that “serious legal problems arise because states are attempting to enforce federal safety standards that have not been made part of state law. OOIDA contends that when FMCSA amends its regulations, the states must incorporate those amendments into state law before they can enforce them.”

“We are concerned about numerous states issuing citations for the violation of non-existent state laws,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vice president. OOIDA noted, for example, that Delaware has not updated its incorporation of the FMCSRs since 2006; Arizona last updated its in 2012, and Kansas did so only in 2013.

“That means that new regulations and amendments to old regulations promulgated by FMCSA since the last incorporation date for these states are not part of state law,” continued Spencer.

In its news release, OOIDA also referenced the action taken earlier this week by ...Read the rest of this story

Cummins unveils fully electric tractor

COLUMBUS, IN. During an event on Tuesday, Aug. 29, Cummins unveiled its fully electric Class 7 demonstration Urban Hauler Tractor here at the company's technical center.

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Cummins AEOS All-Electric Tractor [Photos]

The Cummins electric truck is a highly-stylized concept and technology demonstrator called AEOS, which is the name of one of the four-winged horses from Greek mythology that drive the chariot of the Sun God, Helios, across the sky each day. Photos: Jim Park

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Cummins Unveils Class 7 All-Electric Daycab Tractor

The Cummins Urban Hauler EV is an all-electric, Class 7 day cab tractor designed for urban delivery, drayage and port facility applications. Photo: Cummins

Cummins has beaten Tesla to the punch with its unveiling of a new, all-electric truck.

Much like the Mayweather-McConnell fight last weekend, an older, more savvy veteran has beaten a young up-and-comer to the punch. With all eyes looking toward Tesla and the launch of its new all-electric, commercial truck next month, Cummins on Aug. 29 stunned the trucking industry with the launch of its own new and fully electric, Class 7 day cab tractor, dubbed the Urban Hauler EV.

The story is still developing, but it appears the new truck is a prototype model for demonstration purposes only. HDT Equipment Editor, Jim Park, who is at the Cummins event, has reported that the truck is intended for urban delivery, port drayage, terminal hauling, and similar applications.

According to Cummins, the concept Class 7 Urban Hauler EV, uses a state-of-the art battery pack, which “redefines” energy efficiency and density capabilities for the electric vehicle market.

Cummins said the lighter, denser battery design allows it to hold a longer charge for improved range and faster charging, reducing downtime.

The concept truck design includes an Engine-Generator option for extended range capabilities, allowing users to benefit from Cummins B4.5 or B6.7 engines, providing a major advantage over today's hybrid systems. These engine options offer 50% fuel savings compared to today's diesel hybrids with zero emissions.

During the event, which included tours of the Cummins technical center, Cummins leaders and scientists showcased the company's continued innovation and work in analysis-led design capability, virtual reality, alternative fuels and digital capabilities, all of which are positioning the company to win in current and future technologies and in new markets.

Cummins also showcased a variety of cutting-edge transportation technologies at the ...Read the rest of this story