Author: Vitaliy Dadalyan

Ryder Named Exclusive Sales Channel and Service Provider for Chanje Energy

<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-chanje-front-34-2.jpg" border="0" alt="

Chanje's V8070 is a Class 5 that promises to haul up to 6,000 lb of payload and 580 cu-ft of cargo space at about 50 MPGe fuel economy in city and highway driving. Photo: Chanje

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Chanje's V8070 is a Class 5 that promises to haul up to 6,000 lb of payload and 580 cu-ft of cargo space at about 50 MPGe fuel economy in city and highway driving. Photo: Chanje

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Ryder System will become the exclusive sales channel partner and service provider for Chanje, a new California-based medium-duty electric vehicle and energy services company. Ryder will take delivery of its first Chanje vehicles in the coming weeks. These units will be distributed to Ryder locations in strategic U.S. markets and be available for ChoiceLease customers. A portion of the order will be added to Ryder's commercial rental fleet so that customers can experience Chanje's advanced vehicle technology on a short-term basis.

Chanje announced last week that it was about to enter the U.S. electric Vehicle market with a Class 5 panel van says can be economically produced at a scale and price not previously possible.

“We believe electric vehicles will play a major role in the future of commercial transportation and we are proud to partner with Chanje to bring an all-electric medium duty vehicle to market,” said Dennis Cooke, President, Global Fleet Management Solutions for Ryder. “Through our strategic partnership, Ryder and Chanje will collaborate to promote energy efficiency and innovation in the industry. Chanje offers an innovative product that will help reshape the industry by making commercial electric vehicles more affordable, reliable, and accessible.”

Ryder will also offer a combination of comprehensive and preventive maintenance solutions as part of its SelectCare fleet maintenance portfolio.

“As we bring commercial electric mobility to American fleets at a meaningful scale for the first time in history, we need the right partner who can provide the breadth and expertise required to accelerate the entry of these vehicles into the market,” said Bryan Hansel, founder and CEO of Chanje. “Ryder's mission ...Read the rest of this story

Inside the in.sight conference and expo

Packed with over 350 educational sessions and 80 exhibitors, the three-day 2017 PeopleNet-TMW Systems user conference and exposition - dubbed "in.sight" - took place at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel outside Nashville, TN. The event included access to the "in.sight lab," where users could test out a variety of PeopleNet and TMW transportation system offerings. Some live country music added a festive air to the expo hall as well. (All photos by Sean Kilcarr/Fleet Owner)

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Sponsored Content: Keep on truckin’ with in-cab mobile printers

Whether drivers take advantage of 4” printing for receipts and proof of delivery or full-page printing for permits and eLogs, smart fleet owners find that compact, wireless mobile printers sharpen their competitive edge and boost their bottom line.

Rolfson Oil haspaired mobile printers with iPads to deliver better customer service and improved profitability.

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Pennsylvania, Delaware plan test of vehicle miles traveled tax

Three-month pilot program likely to take place in 2018

The Pennsylvania and Delaware transportation departments will conduct a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) pilot program in conjunction with the I-95 Corridor Coalition.

The coalition, which received a $1.16 million federal grant for the three-month pilot, wants to initially recruit 50 drivers from both states. The goal is to study whether a VMT is a viable way to raise funds for highway maintenance.

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DOT proposes $78 million for FASTLANE infrastructure grants

Seven small grant projects focus on freight mobility in rural areas

The Department of Transportation has publicized a list of 10 infrastructure projects it hopes to provide funding for under the FASTLANE Small Project program for fiscal 2017.

DOT's $78.88 million proposal is currently undergoing a congressional review. Seven of the 10 proposed grants are targeted for projects in rural areas to increase freight mobility, DOT said.

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FedEx Express Driver Named National Grand Champion

A Massachusetts driver for FedEx Express took home the title of Bendix Grand Champion this weekend from the American Trucking Associations' 2017 National Truck Driving Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Roland Bolduc's driving accuracy and knowledge of truck safety surpassed the more than 420 other state champion professional truck drivers competing in all vehicle classes last week.

Bolduc, who also took home the Sleeper Berth class title, lives in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and has more than 1.9 million safe driving miles in his career. He has worked in the trucking industry for more than 36 years, spending the last 23 years with FedEx Express. Bolduc was named an America's Road Team Captain in 2000.

ATA also recognized Bryce Neilson as the 2017 Rookie of the Year. Neilson claimed the title after performing well in the Flatbed division. Additionally, the team of drivers from Kentucky produced the best collective score, with an average of 307.13, and were honored as the top state delegation.

Professionalism and dedication to the trucking industry were key themes during the National Truck Driving Championships. Daniel Shamrell was honored during the awards banquet with the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award and Joe Smith was chosen as the Lifetime Volunteer Award recipient.

Champions from each of the nine vehicle classes were also announced. Joining Roland Bolduc on the list of national champions are:

3-Axle: Glen Kirk, Franklin, Indiana, Old Dominion Freight Line

4-Axle: James Duffy, Marshall, Wisconsin, FedEx Freight

5-Axle: Michael Miltenberger, Cumberland, Maryland, PITT OHIO

Flatbed: Wayne Crowder, Louisville, Kentucky, FedEx Freight

Sleeper Berth: Roland Bolduc, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, FedEx Express

Straight Truck: Richard Bailey, Macomb, Michigan, FedEx Freight

Tank Truck: Scott Woodrome, Middletown, Ohio, FedEx Freight

Twins: Chris Poyner, Richland, Washington, XPO Logistics

Step Van: Michael Bills, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, FedEx Express

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