The biggest medium-duty truck headlines of 2022
Medium-duty truck trends can be hard to pin down. After all, these trucks tackle a vast array of applications–from local pick-up and delivery vans running around every neighborhood across the country to municipal fleet trucks servicing utility lines. Think about it: Manufacturers build naked chassis just so that bodybuilders can dress it up with the
The benefits of electrification in last-mile applications
If your trucks are operating in the long-haul segment carrying goods from New York to California, well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but EV range capabilities and infrastructure can’t practically support that yet. However, last-mile fleets that stay in the general vicinity and don’t require substantial range just may be ready
10 ways predictive maintenance with telematics data can boost fuel efficiency
With fluctuating fuel costs, a predictive maintenance program with telematics data can provide substantial fuel savings to reduce operating costs. Proper vehicle maintenance is essential for the safe and efficient operation of your fleet. But did you know that it can also improve fuel economy by as much as 5% to 10%? Not only that,
The cost of ownership benefits of low-viscosity lubricants
On-highway fleet maintenance is arguably more complicated than it’s ever been. Fleet managers, maintenance managers, and techs alike face the difficult challenge of minimizing their total cost of ownership (TCO) amidst a radically evolving business landscape. The challenge of keeping current with and understanding how emerging trends affect each other is perhaps the most complicated,
The first EV application just happens to be the last mile
Given the range limitations, commercial EVs are primed for last-mile deliveries, and the headlines surrounding that application have been numerous: • Customers across the U.S. will begin to see custom electric delivery vehicles from Rivian delivering their Amazon packages, with the electric vehicles hitting the road in Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, Phoenix, San
Sono Motors extends EV range via the sun
In the EV world, range is nothing to scoff at, and in the fleet world, adding even just a few dozen miles to an electric truck’s daily range can make all the difference at the end of the year between a fat and an empty pocketbook. On this note, Sono Motors might be on to
How big are the engine oil fuel economy benefits?
I’ve got a financial riddle for you: Would you rather have a million truck bucks handed to you today or the sum of a penny doubled every day for 30 days? OK, I’m sure you’ve heard this one. We all know you’re supposed to take the penny because you end up with over $5 million
EV maintenance—what we’ve learned so far
Electric trucks, with fewer moving parts and fluids, as well as the elimination of exhaust aftertreatment systems, are widely expected to reduce equipment service needs. Likewise, routine maintenance for things likes brakes are anticipated to drop as well. Still, with electric commercial vehicles increasingly being operated across North America, fleets are on an EV learning
Four myths about API FA-4 diesel engine oil, busted
Lower-viscosity engine oil formulations have been available in the heavy-duty trucking marketplace for nearly six years. Despite some attractive fuel economy benefits that these lower-viscosity formulations provide, they maintain just a slim market share among all available formulations. Why is this the case? It’s been shown that Class 8 over-the-road fleets can realistically expect fuel
Are EVs sticking around for the long-haul?
It seems there isn’t a shortage of things we can find to disagree on. Everyone has their own view (and a side that opposes them), and the trucking industry is no exception. But not being able to see eye to eye on hot topics isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it may just lead
