Podcast: The impact of emissions standards on trucking equipment
You’ve probably heard about the EPA GHG regulations that are ramping up throughout the 2020s, starting this year. You’ve probably also heard about more advanced emissions programs introduced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). But you might wonder, if I don’t run trucks in California, why do I need to know what CARB is
What you need to know about the upcoming Canadian ELD mandate
Cross-border cooperation can be a thing of beauty, as anyone who has heard the beautiful harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or watched another Nash (Canadian Steve Nash) lead revolutionary offensive play on the Phoenix Suns in the mid-’00s can attest. However, if you operate a business in both the U.S. and Canada you
Watch: New technology to decrease a truck’s emissions & better fuel economy
In November 2018, the EPA announced the need to update nitrogen oxide emissions standards in heavy-duty trucks with its Cleaner Trucks Initiative. According to the initiative’s overview found at epa.gov, heavy-duty vehicles are the largest contributor to mobile source emissions of nitrogen oxide, and they are expected to be one of the largest mobile source
Why alternative fuels will accelerate in 2021
The 2021 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo happened the same week a new president was inaugurated, and that timing did not go unnoticed. From policy expectations to the environmental benefits of various fuel sources, here are some of the key takeaways for fleet operators from this event. Political change is an opportunity for growth President
Utility Trailer implements standard 7-in. rear impact guard on all trailers
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.‘s dry vans, refrigerated vans and flatbeds produced after 2002 can now be retrofitted with Utility’s standard 7-in. deep horizontal Interstate Commerce Commission (I.C.C.) bumper. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently proposed to include the rear impact guard on the list of items that need to be examined during a commercial
What 2021 Greenhouse Gas regulations mean for you and your engines
The previous decade may have seen the debut of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulations for heavy-duty engines, but the 2020s will be the decade in which these regulations ramp up. That starts with model year 2021 engines, with more restrictions coming in 2024 and then again in 2027, and continuing efforts to improve the environment mean
Omnitracs, ERoad partner to address inconsistencies in commercial vehicle inspections
Omnitracs and ERoad, a transportation technology services company, have announced the completion of a newly updated Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Inspection Bulletin on U.S. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). Omnitracs, in partnership with ERoad, identified a need to revamp the current Inspection Bulletin on U.S. Electronic Logging Devices that was penned in 2017, concurrent with
New FMCSA rule takes effect for HOS
Back on May 14, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced new Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules, and they are officially going into effect on Sept. 29. These changes came about after the FMCSA held multiple town hall meetings online to proactively get feedback from those that the HOS rules impact the most. After assessing all
FMCSA proposes new under-21 commercial driver pilot program
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing and seeking public comments on a new pilot program to allow drivers aged 18-20 to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The agency proposes a pilot program to allow drivers to participate if they fall within two categories: 18 to
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) Calls for FET Suspension
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) sent a letter to the Democratic leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives July 21 calling for suspension of the 12% federal excise tax (FET) on heavy-duty trucks and trailers until the end of 2021 in the next Coronavirus stimulus bill. American Truck Dealers (ATD) leads the Modernize the Truck Fleet
Compliance 10-4 launches with compliance and regulatory services
Compliance 10-4, a company built to assist transportation personnel and administrators to stay compliant with federal regulations, has launched with the debut of compliance104.com. The company provides professional and administrative services to Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant logistics firms including Driver Qualification File management, 49 CFR 395, 396 automation, MCS-150, IFTA, URC, HVUT | 2290,
FMCSA updates hours of service regulations to improve safety, flexibility
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published a final rule updating hours of service (HOS) rules. FMCSA’s final rule on hours of service offers four key revisions to the existing HOS rules, which are as follows: Flexibility has been added for the 30-minute break rule by requiring a break
