Last week, we announced the drivers and showcased the equipment that will participate in RunonLess, a first-of-its kind fuel efficiency roadshow sponsored by Shell and PepsiCo, and hosted by NACFE and Carbon War Room. It gave us a chance to share the amazing equipment and talented drivers that will demonstrate what can be done with currently available tractors and trailers to save fuel and emissions.
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...Read the rest of this storyThe people shortage in the trucking industry is no surprise to anyone. In part, it is the result of a national shortage of skilled labor and the lack of programs to attract job seekers to our industry as drivers and technicians.
The lack of skilled technicians is resulting in increased downtime and inefficiencies. It also leads to dissatisfaction among your current staff as they are tasked with doing more work.
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...Read the rest of this storySharp Transport driver James Thorne is trying to get 10 mpg with Cumberland International's C10 demo truck. Photo: Sharp Transport
">Sharp Transport driver James Thorne is trying to get 10 mpg with Cumberland International's C10 demo truck. Photo: Sharp Transport
">Last year, our annual special June fuel issue focused on the question of how feasible it was to hit 10 mpg in real-world operations, not a million-dollar concept SuperTruck. This summer, a couple of initiatives are putting that to the test.
This week, Cumberland International has teamed up with Sharp Transport in a drive campaign to hit 10 mpg with its C10 demo truck. We've written about the C10 program before, where the Tennessee dealership specs out a truck with all the best fuel-saving options they have to offer and let fleets try it out for free to see how the specs work in their operations.
Sharp Transport is sending two drivers out in Cumberland's C10 LT demo truck. The drivers will complete the same route to see who can average 10 mpg through several states and back to Middle Tennessee. Over the next four weeks follow udpates for the Race to 10 mpg by following Cumberland and Sharp Transport on Facebook. They will be sharing pictures, route updates, mpg stats and video along the way.
The race started Friday with the first driver, James Thorne. A professional driver for nearly 17 years and with Sharp for almost 11, over the last 2 years, he has sustained an impressive 8.5 mpg average with 3% idle and 53% cruise control utilization.
“The plan here is to push the fuel efficiency envelope,” explains Jarit Cornelius, Sharp VP of maintenance and compliance (and an HDT 2016 Emerging Leader), hoping to break the 10 mpg barrier for the first time. “There is a friendly competition between our drivers to see who is able to sustain a 10 mpg ...Read the rest of this story
Between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), fleets are inundated with rules and regulations they must comply with to operate in a safe and legal manner. Then there are also state and local compliance ordinances.
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...Read the rest of this storyThe American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) are two industry trade groups worried that the intent announced by the Environmental Protection Agency last week to “re-evaluate” parts the Phase 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) and fuel efficiency rule
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...Read the rest of this storyPhoto: Mack
">Photo: Mack
">North American Class 8 and medium-duty vehicle production increased in the month of July, boosted by strong order numbers, according to a report from ACT Research.
“After cutting 3,000 units from the Class 8 build plan last month, the OEMs added back nearly 6,000 units in July,” said Steve Tam, ACT Research's vice president. “This brings the OEMs' full-year expectations to over 252,000 units.”
Despite a lower build rate in July compared to earlier months, the medium-duty Class 5-7 truck market saw 15% greater production for the month.
“With orders below build, the medium-duty backlog declined to about 54,000 units of unbuilt vehicles,” said Tam. “Similarly, medium-duty inventories declined as July retail sales outpaced production.”
Related: Class 8 Truck Orders Rebound in July
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...Read the rest of this storyTrailer skirts like this one benefit some carriers, but not enough fleets so they should be mandated, contend trailer makers. Photo: Utility Trailer Mfg.
">Trailer skirts like this one benefit some carriers, but not enough fleets so they should be mandated, contend trailer makers. Photo: Utility Trailer Mfg.
">The Trump administration's announcement that it will revisit parts of the Phase 2 greenhouse gas/fuel economy rules were greeted with cautious optimism by the trailer makers who pushed for the review, but with concern by other parties.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Aug. 17 that it will revisit provisions of the Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards, following concerns raised by stakeholders in the trailer and glider industry. The rules were issued jointly by the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016 and are the first time trailers have been covered by a federal emissions regulation.
The Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, which petitioned the agency to reconsider the rules, says it's pleased with the agencies announcement, but it hopes the agencies will stay the implementation date while they complete their review.
The rules are still scheduled to begin with January 2018 trailer production, just a few short months away, the association noted in a press release.
“Most heavy-duty trailers are custom-ordered, and the required lead time for scheduling production means that trailer manufacturers are having to quote orders for 2018 delivery that will force customers to purchase equipment they do not want and that will not produce any fuel efficiencies in the customers' operations," TTMA said.
“Moreover, much of this equipment is still not certified by EPA, so trailer manufacturers are not certain if they can incorporate the equipment into future orders and still comply with the regulations. This is disrupting the normal ordering process and is frustrating both customers and manufacturers.”
TTMA confirmed that on August 17, it received letters from both EPA and NHTSA stating that they have reviewed its petitions for reconsideration ...Read the rest of this story
