These Are the Next Wave of Ultra-Luxury Electric Cars Entering the Market—and They Don’t Disappoint

Electric cars are coming, in numbers, and from car companies that may surprise you. But one of the most surprising things about battery-powered cars is that electricity can be applied equally well to parsimony—eking out mileage frugally—as to performance. Because electric motors create instant torque—the thrusty twist that provides our sense of speed when we press the go pedal—and because they do so in a quiet rush, they have an amazing application in the world of ultra-luxury supercars.

Last month, at the automotive and lifestyle bacchanal known as Monterey Car Week, a fresh handful of these exclusive—and, in some cases, ephemeral—electric-powered supercars were unveiled. Here are some of our favorites.

Partners Launch Educational Platform on RNG

Educational nonprofit organization RNG Global Initiative and the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) have jointly announced a new learning platform dedicated to public education of the benefits of renewable natural gas (RNG).

The organizations made the announcement in front of 350 participants during the first day of the annual RNG WORKS 2019, hosted this year in Nashville.

According to the partners, many energy users and many decision-makers are still building familiarity with the facts regarding the history and benefits of RNG production and use. When used to fuel vehicles, RNG has proven to have the lowest carbon lifecycle emissions of all transportation fuel options currently available in many markets, they say.

Schneider Deploys Platform Science Telematics to Entire Fleet

Schneider has deployed the Platform Science enterprise telematics platform to its entire fleet to improve flexibility in operations and improve driver experience.

Schneider will use Platform Science’s driver-friendly electronic logging device and leverage the platform to deploy any apps and services that improve operations, whether developed internally, by Platform Science or by third-party developers.

The Platform Science solution is comprised of a connected vehicle device for data, a web portal for fleet managers and mobile devices for drivers. It is now being installed throughout Schneider’s fleet, which is responsible for moving 9.3 million freight miles per day.

“Our work with Platform Science allows us to immediately improve the driver experience, enhance efficiency and productivity and provide the tools to future proof our telematics capability in an industry that needs speed to market more than ever,” says Mark Rourke, Schneider CEO.

NW Natural Launches ‘Try it First’ CNG Truck Program

NW Natural, a natural gas service provider in Oregon and Washington, has launched a new program for fleets interested in trying out natural gas trucks.

Under the “try it first” program, qualified fleet owners can test heavy-duty compressed natural gas truck technology by driving a 12-liter natural gas Class 8 truck for up to three weeks.

“We want to give fleet owners who are considering transitioning their vehicles a real-life experience. This is the perfect way for them to test trucks on the routes they drive every day with minimal risk and no investment,” says Chris Kroeker, NW Natural’s product manager of natural gas vehicles.

NW Natural is collaborating with a truck leasing company for the program. Customers will participate in a pre- and post-rental survey.

“Natural gas vehicles are experiencing a surge in popularity in other regions in North America and throughout the world due to their significantly lower greenhouse-gas emissions, near-zero point-source emissions and the ability to use renewable natural gas,” adds Kroeker. “This trial program allows fleet managers to decide for themselves if this technology fits with their operations.”

Toyota Prius gets slathered in solar panels in the name of efficiency

While many have pointed to electric cars as one way to curb emissions, EVs still require energy to charge the batteries. If said energy comes from fossil fuels, it start to erode the vehicle’s total efficiency picture.

That’s why Toyota is working on what could be one solution in the future: a car covered in solar panels. Tests for this prototype Toyota Prius began back in July. The automaker is working with NEDO and Sharp to conduct the demos, with the latter contributing the solar panels for the hood, roof, rear window and spoiler.

Unlike the production Prius, which has a solar charging system in some markets, the prototype car seen here can take the sun’s energy from the solar panels and directly charge the battery while parked or while driving. Initial tests found the system was able to add 35 additional miles to the Prius’ range. While parked, the solar panels added about 27 miles of extra range.

The Sharp solar panels also have a far more efficient conversion rate of 34% compared with 22.5% in Toyota’s current production system. The more the panels can convert to usable energy, the better.

Volvo Offers Sneak-Peek of All-New Class 8 Electric Tractor

Volvo is a company committed to safety, efficiency, and the environment, according to Magnus Koeck, vice president, brand marketing for Volvo Trucks North America, speaking to a gathering of trucking media at the company’s Technology Summit in Dublin, Viriginia. He followed up his claim by highlighting a host of new technologies, products, and upgrades to existing vehicle systems that will begin appearing on Volvo Class 8 trucks beginning next year, including a more fuel-efficient engine, improved active safety system, and that it’s bringing its Dynamic Steering to the U.S.

But the surprise of the day was the unveiling of a brand-new electric truck. This was not the medium-duty FE Electric model Volvo showcased last year (and which is now undergoing evaluations on the West Coast). No, the company unveiled a new, Class 8 electric version of its VNR regional haul tractor that Koeck said will go into  production some time in 2020.

Details on the truck were sparse. We did learn that the truck has a conventional Volvo I-Shift automated transmission optimized for electric powertrains, with large battery packs mounted on the frame rail ahead of the drive tires.

Fuel Fact Check: Using Propane Autogas Avoids Volatility of Oil Prices

Fuel Fact Check: Commercial fleets
Claim: Choosing American-made propane autogas can help you avoid the uncertainty of diesel pricing.

There’s a reason why more than 27 million vehicles, including delivery, towing and construction trucks, travel around the world with propane autogas in their fuel tank. Propane autogas is more economical than diesel because it costs less to fuel, requires less maintenance and is not much affected by oil prices.

When fleets consider fuel economy, propane autogas supports their budget. On average, propane costs 40% to 50% less than diesel, and it has a higher octane rating, which means better performance. In addition, the volatility of oil prices doesn’t impact propane as it does diesel because propane is a domestic fuel. About 90% of propane used in the U.S. is produced in the U.S., with another 7% from Canada.

Cummins closes $290 million acquisition of fuel cell maker Hydrogenics [Update]

Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) closed its $290 million acquisition of Canadian fuel cell and hydrogen production technologies provider Hydrogenics Corp.(NASDAQ: HYGS) on Monday, Sept. 9.

It is the second major investment in fuel cell technology for commercial vehicles in a week.

On Sept. 4, United Kingdom-based CNH Industrial announced it was investing $250 million in startup fuel cell truck maker Nikola Corp., which plans to commercially produce Class 8 heavy-duty trucks by the end of 2022. Nikola also disclosed Sept. 5 that Robert Bosch LLC and solar panel maker Hanwha Group had invested a combined $230 million.

“There’s a growing realization that there is a lot of value in fuel cells for heavy-duty trucks in certain types of applications,” Navigant Research principal analyst Sam Abuelsamid told FreightWaves. “The infrastructure challenge is a lot less of an issue with commercial vehicles because a lot of the applications are return to base or fixed routes.”

Best known for its industry leadership in diesel engines for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, Cummins has worked on hydrogen fuel cells for two decades.

Quantum Rolls out New CNG Transport Trailer

Quantum Fuel Systems LLC, a provider of compressed natural gas (CNG) transport trailers and heavy-duty truck fuel storage systems, has announced its newest virtual pipeline product line extension, the VPLite45/40’.

The 40-foot trailer comes standard with 45 tanks, has a gaseous capacity of approximately 471,000 standard cubic feet (SCF) and weighs less than 57,000 pounds fully loaded. Customers can also customize the trailer configuration with fewer tanks based on project needs.

Available in the first quarter of 2020, the VPLite45/40’ will be certified for use in the U.S. and Canada, with worldwide availability to follow.

“We are very excited about our new product line, the VPLite45/40’,” says Mark Arold, president of Quantum Fuel Systems LLC. “For several years, we have been providing our customers with the VP45, which has 45 tanks in a 45-foot container, hauls 471,000 SCF of CNG, and stays below federal highway weight restrictions. It has been by far the most efficient in the industry in terms of gas capacity versus trailer length and yet still has the flexibility to carry up to 51 tanks, depending on the customer application.

Are electric vehicles a practical option for Kentucky businesses or families

Not long ago, a wide-scale transition to electric vehicles (EVs) seemed about as likely as the Jetsons landing in your driveway, but times have changed. Auto manufacturers are expanding electric vehicle models and inventories each year, and supporting infrastructure and programs to aid in electric vehicle adoption in the United States are increasing as well. Even with this movement, many vehicle buyers may still be hesitant and believe that switching to an EV is not a practical option.

That’s why energy companies and organizations in Kentucky are stepping up to bust the myths about EVs. For instance, two of the Commonwealth’s largest utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities, offer an EV program that supports businesses that want to provide hosted charging stations for their employees and the public, and if they want to improve their employees management using software like pay stub generator is the best choice for them as well. It’s a program Louisville-based Yum Brands has taken advantage of and used to install two EV charging stations onsite for its employees’ use, free of charge.

“Yum is constantly trying to find ways to support our employees and their lifestyles,” said Royce Blevins, Yum brands manager of facilities. “By installing these stations, we’ve been able to assist our employees who are considering or have already purchased electric vehicles by giving them these complimentary charging stations at work. Secondly, as we install these at our Louisville campus, we’re able to accomplish some of our own sustainable goals and hope to inspire other companies who are looking to do the same.”