Emissions-Free Refrigeration Unit Project Gets $400K Grant

Screenshot via eNow

Renewable energy solutions company eNow has received a $400,000 grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to deploy its solar panel refrigeration solution in the area's transportation networks.

The proposed project is meant to demonstrate an electric replacement for truck refrigeration units. ENow is collaborating with Johnson Truck Bodies to provide the demonstration unit, and Challenge Dairy will operate the demonstration vehicle. The deployed trucks will use an all-electric refrigeration unit powered by eNow's solar panels and Johnson All Electric Cold Plate System. These systems are exempt from carbon emissions as defined by the Air Resources Board.

The proposed system uses photovoltaic enhanced battery-electric refrigeration systems augmented with a hybrid active evaporator/cold plate refrigeration system to provide for a 12-hour route operation. The demonstration system will be sized for a medium-temperature application, suitable for produce or dairy product delivery.

Both industrial product manufacturer Emerson and Johnson Truck Bodies will conduct refrigeration system tests in collaboration with eNow and Challenge Dairy, defining parameters for remote monitoring.

“Finding new technologies will be the key to the Valley coming into attainment for tough federal air quality standards,” said Seyed Sadredin, executive director and air pollution control officer of the SJVAPCD. “We are excited to support new technologies that improve air quality and are economically advantageous at the same time. This grant definitely fits that criteria.”

The project is currently in development and is expected to begin testing in September.

Related: Calif. Clean Air Plan Calls for Further NOx, PM Reductions

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

Swift Transportation Company Announces Timing of Mid-Third Quarter Conference Call

Bendix adds host of changes to customer service

Quebec's Camion Ray Lawson dealer now under Gamache banner

Sponsored Content: PC-11: What You Need To Know

What is PC-11?

PC-11 (Proposed Category 11) is a new API specification taking effect on December 1, 2016, that will create two distinct lubricant categories: CK-4 and FA-4.

CK-4: CK-4 replaces CJ-4 and current engine oil standards.

FA-4 represents low-viscosity engine oils intended for modern and future engines.

Why PC-11?

Compared to current CJ-4 formulations, both CK-4 and FA-4 oils will help:

read more

Werner Enterprises Named “Best of the Best” for Third Straight Year

FMCSA Proposes Younger Driver Pilot Program for Former Military

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing a pilot program allowing a limited number of drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce if they received specified heavy-vehicle driver training while in military service and are sponsored by a participating motor carrier.

The program is required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
During the three-year pilot program, the safety records of these younger drivers (the study group) would be compared to the records of a control group of comparable size, made up of drivers who are 21 years of age or older and who have comparable training and experience in driving vehicles requiring a commercial driver's license. The control group would consist of volunteer drivers who meet specified criteria and are employed by a participating carrier. The comparison of the two groups' performance would help to determine whether age is a critical safety factor.

FMCSA is also proposing criteria for a working group to consult with the Agency in conducting, monitoring, and evaluating the pilot program.

The agency notes that while there has been opposition to previous proposals to allow younger drivers to driver in interstate operations, many intrastate commercial vehicle drivers are already in this age group. But FMCSA is not aware of any studies or published reports comparing their safety performance with that of drivers over 21, either interstate or intrastate. This pilot program would provide much-needed data on the issue.

To have a statistically valid sample of drivers under the age of 21, approximately 200 study group participants are desired. When these individuals reach the age of 21, they would no longer participate in the pilot program and would be replaced by new study group members meeting the eligibility requirements.

Participating carriers that meet the qualifications would sponsor study group members and perform other duties related to the pilot, such as filing certain reports and recruiting existing drivers to participate as control group members. Carriers would be required to install and operate electronic logging devices (ELDs) on all vehicles operated by study and control group drivers. Data from these devices, such as vehicle miles traveled, is essential to analyze driving safety records, the agency notes.

The agency seeks public input during the next 30 days on the pilot program as well as outlined procedural steps and a data collection plan. Comments and data received from the public will be used to further develop the program.

Click here to read the Federal Register notice and provide comments.

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter