Quiet launch: Daimler builds first electric heavy-duty semis for fleet test

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Tesla might have been the first to generate a lot of fanfare over an all-electric Semi, but it’s not the first to actually place an electric Semi with customers for full-time use.

That nod would go to Daimler Trucks North America. The initial two Freightliner eCascadia semis were built this week for its Electric Innovation Fleet—funded by a $16 million California grant—and they’ll be placed into duty later this month by the Southern California operations of two companies: Penske Truck Leasing and NFI.

The company’s intent is to test how the trucks fare in large-scale fleet conditions, and the innovation fleet “will inform the final production versions” of its two upcoming electric trucks, the eCascadia, and the medium-duty Freightliner eM2. Daimler also has an Electric Vehicle Council of 38 customers “to identify and address all potential hurdles to large-scale deployment of commercial battery electric vehicles.”

Spireon Launches FleetLocate for Ford

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Spireon has launched FleetLocate for Ford, syncing the fleet management solution with Ford vehicles that support the automaker’s open-platform Transportation Mobility Cloud (TMC), and also announced updates to its user interface.

Leveraging the Ford open-platform TMC, FleetLocate for Ford enables mobile asset management and driver behavior monitoring, as well as delivering actionable insights to inform business decision making, without the need for aftermarket hardware, according to the company. Applicable vehicles include any Ford vehicle equipped with FordPass Connect/Telematics Modem or Fleet Telematics Modem. A fleet must also obtain a Ford Fleet Identification Number (FIN) and activate a Ford Fleet Management Account.

Last year, Spireon signed an agreement with Ford Commercial Solutions for the FleetLocate fleet management solution to access data through the automaker’s open-platform. This new launch also coincides with the introduction of an enhanced user interface and new advanced diagnostics integration within the fleet solution’s Maintenance Module, according to a release.

“Thanks to our partnership with Spireon, Ford fleets can now avoid costly aftermarket device installation while reaping the benefits of a comprehensive fleet management program,” said Michelle Moody, director of Ford Commercial Solutions.

Building upon the previous interface, new updates are designed to curb the learning curve of the app as a means to ensure that fleet operators spend their time managing fleets and receive the insights they need to increase performance and improve fleet safety.

Bulleit Distilling Distillery and Visitor Centre

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Bulleit Distilling distillery and visitor centre in Kentucky, US, was built to produce Daigeo’s Bulleit brand of whiskey.

Nissan, EVgo plan more 100-kw fast chargers

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Nissan is expanding its partnership with charging network EVgo to install 200 more DC fast-chargers across the U.S.

The new chargers will each dispense up to 100 kw, which can deliver up to 150 miles of range in less than half an hour, and will have both a CHAdeMO plug to charge the Leaf and a CCS Combo plug to charge most other (non-Tesla) EVs as well. Teslas can also use the chargers with a CHAdeMO adapter.

Even with the new chargers, the challenge for Leaf drivers may be making longer trips between cities using the chargers. EVgo’s chargers are mostly in and around cities that already have the largest population of EV drivers and not along less frequently used corridors to allow travel between cities.

“Nissan and EVgo will continue to work together to deploy fast charging infrastructure in major and rapidly growing EV markets,” Nissan spokesman Jeff Wandell said in a statement emailed to Green Car Reports. “We aim to expand Nissan and EVgo’s already strong footprint in major metropolitan areas as well as ZEV states and select other markets,” referring to California and nine other states, mainly in the Northeast, that follow the Golden State’s zero-emissions vehicle requirements.

Lytx Adds Hardware Health Monitoring

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Lytx has begun offering a hardware health monitor that will help fleet managers identify devices that aren’t working properly, the video telematics provider announced.

The Device Health Report will monitor the overall health of video cameras and other telematics hardware, and let fleet managers know if the hardware is overdue for a check-in, isn’t detecting vehicle ignition, or is experiencing recurring power disconnects, according to the company.

Lytx has rolled out the feature to its current users and can be located in the new account interface.

“We are committed to helping our clients get the most out of their video telematics investment,” said Jim Brady, vice president of product management. “Our new Device Health Report provides fleet managers with a straightforward dashboard that captures the device installation issues they experience most, such as wiring errors, tampering, and devices getting disconnected during vehicle service.”

LG&E and KU turn on 1,400-panel solar energy facility in Simpsonville

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SIMPSONVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky’s renewable energy portfolio is getting another boost today as LG&E and KU cut the ribbon this week on a new solar facility in Simpsonville. Located just off Interstate 64, one mile west of exit 28, construction of the first 500-kilowatt section of LG&E and KU’s Solar Share Program began earlier this year thanks to founding partner Ford Motor Company and other participating business and residential customers. The nearly 1,400-panel array became fully operational and began serving up solar energy on Saturday. Despite the up front cost, a solar panel install is a great way to reduce both carbon emissions and household bills, plus the solar power system can actually increase the value of your property too.

“This is a very special milestone for our company and our community,” said LG&E and KU Chairman, CEO and President Paul W. Thompson. “This program was created to meet an interest expressed by our customers and now this facility stands as a tangible display of the commitment our company, community leaders like Ford, and customers across our service territories have to growing sustainable energy here in the Commonwealth.”

“This is another example of how utilities, including LG&E and KU, are investing in the future of the Commonwealth and growing locally-produced renewable energy,” said Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely. “These technologies are making our state a leading contender to retain and attract new business and meet the growing demands for a diverse energy future.”

 

Calling all auto mechanics: 8 full scholarships open for natural gas training

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Local conservation organizations are taking the saying “If you build it, they will come” one step further by throwing a little maintenance into the mix.

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities and Energy Conservation Works are hoping that if they can ensure the availability of local service providers for compressed natural gas vehicles, it will increase the valley’s adoption rate of automobiles using the cleaner technology.

To reach that goal, the organizations — with assistance from the Teton Conservation District — are making eight full scholarships available for a compressed natural gas mechanic training course that begins on Monday.

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities and Energy Conservation Works are hosting the two-day course on Aug. 5 and 6 at Lower Valley Energy. The Teton Conservation District is providing the full scholarships for the classes, which typically would run $2,080 per person.

Energy Department Invests Millions in Alt-Fuel Transportation Research

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is investing nearly $3.5 million in projects to advance medium- and heavy-duty natural gas vehicle (NGV) technologies.

The announcement also includes $10.2 million in advanced methane storage, as well as waste-to-energy projects, which should benefit the NGV market, points out NGVAmerica. The investments are part of $50 million for research of technologies for trucks, off-road vehicles and the fuels that power them.

“These crucial investments made by the DOE publicly affirm the federal government’s belief that natural gas vehicles are an important part of our nation’s transportation mix yesterday, today and well into the future,” says NGVAmerica’s president, Dan Gage. “Natural gas is ready-right-now technology for all vehicle applications, and this investment further expands NGVs’ capability and reliability and increases their emissions- and carbon-free performance. When fueled by captured biomethane, natural gas truck and bus engines are the cleanest and most immediate solution for those seeking a net-carbon-negative fleet footprint.”

 

Senate committee unanimously approves $1 billion for EV, natural gas and hydrogen fuel infrastructure

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Dive Brief:

  • The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted unanimously Tuesday morning to advance a broad bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is working to bring it before the full Senate this fall.
  • S. 2302, the America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act, earmarks $1 billion in funding for competitive grants to support the development of fueling infrastructure for electric, natural gas and hydrogen-powered vehicles. The bill also directs federal agencies to transition their vehicle fleets to hybrid-electric, electric and alternative fuels within a year of enactment.
  • Sponsors are optimistic about passage, and President Donald Trump also tweeted in support of the bill on Tuesday morning. However, the bill faces more deliberation over expected amendments, such as expanding ‘alternative fuels’ to include biofuel-powered vehicles.

Department of Energy Announces $50 Million for Commercial Truck, Off-road Vehicle, and Gaseous Fuels Research

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $50 million for new and innovative research of technologies for trucks, off-road vehicles, and the fuels that power them.  Funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), these selections highlight the DOE’s priorities in gaseous fuels research, including natural gas, biopower, and hydrogen; heavy-duty freight electrification; hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell technologies for heavy-duty applications; and energy efficient off-road vehicles.

“As the fastest growing fuel users in the United States, it is important our trucking industry has access to advanced technologies, such as electrification and fuel cells, as a way to move goods efficiently and economically,” said Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes. “EERE has a strong track record of successful investment in the research and development of a broad portfolio of technologies, including electrification, advanced combustion engines, and fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, and biofuels, that can significantly improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of transportation energy. These selections reinforce DOE’s commitment to sustainable transportation options, incorporating innovative solutions like vehicle wrap from Icon Signs.”