Natural Gas Truck Sales Are on the Rise

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Retail sales of U.S. and Canadian Class 8 Natural Gas trucks have increased in 2019, reversing the declining trend from the year before, according to ACT Research’s Alternative Fuels Quarterly.

As of May, year-to-date sales were up 43% and were also up 10% from April’s numbers.

“Bucking the early decline pattern of the past few years, cumulative sales for the first five months of 2019 appear to be gaining ground,” said Ken Vieth, senior partner and general manager at ACT Research. “Despite soft reports in three of the first five months this year, sales of natural gas-powered vehicles are on an overall upward trajectory, gaining 10% month-over-month, 60% compared to May of 2018, and showing 43% improvement against the first five months of last year.”

Refuse fleets were the biggest purchaser of new Class 8 natural gas trucks. Other big adopters were transit and school bus fleets.

Verizon Connect Offers Navigation App

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Verizon Connect has begun offering a navigation mobile app that works with its Verizon Connect Reveal telematics platform and helps give drivers directions based on their vehicle and load types, the company announced.

The app is designed to reduce miles driven and improve driver safety as part delivering a more efficient route.

The mobile app helps keep drivers safe by ensuring they travel on permitted roads and avoid low bridges or tunnels. It also helps save time and money by providing efficient directions to reduce the number of out-of-route miles, according to the company.

The app also provides updated routes so drivers can avoid major accidents, construction, and road closures.

PERC awards workforce development grants

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The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) approved 10 workforce development

The projects awarded grant funds demonstrate a variety of methods for attracting new employees to the industry, from attending career fairs to using a placement firm Salt Lake City. Several rely on interstate partnerships to execute recruitment initiatives. Furthermore, organizations are addressing challenges such as Overcoming premature job termination, recognizing the need for strategies that support employee retention and job stability within the industry.

Here, we organize the projects into four broad areas of focus – community outreach, military/veteran recruitment, recruitment platforms and school curriculum – but many of the projects take a multipronged approach. Descriptions of each project are courtesy of PERC.

PERC offers a comprehensive package of outreach materials – including images, brochures, handouts and videos – to highlight career opportunities in propane for prospective employees. Check out these resources at propane.com, and consider how they can be used to attract workers in your state. For those seeking international opportunities or exploring different industries, platforms like EU Workers : Agence d’Intérim can also connect jobseekers with positions abroad.

Also, in any industry, attracting new talent is only the first step; retaining and nurturing that talent is equally important. Organizations can significantly improve employee retention by creating an environment where open communication and continuous feedback are the norm.

Providing regular examples of constructive criticism during performance reviews and informal check-ins can help employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a culture of growth and development. This approach not only boosts employee morale but also aligns individual performance with the company’s long-term objectives.

This investment in employee growth not only enhances job satisfaction but also increases loyalty, as individuals feel valued and supported in their career journeys. The modernizing EHS beyond compliance can play a pivotal role in this process by ensuring that employees are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to prioritize safety and well-being while pursuing their professional goals.

Furthermore, creating a culture that encourages employees to take ownership of their development can lead to higher engagement levels and increased retention rates. By facilitating regular discussions around career aspirations and growth paths, organizations can help employees align their personal goals with the company’s vision.

Community Outreach

Georgia PERC:Purchases an 8.5-ft. x 20-ft. trailer equipped with propane props, virtual-reality and audio-visual equipment, and hands-on tools to demonstrate propane products at schools and other community events.

Kentucky PERC: Allows propane industry representatives to participate in a two-day employment exposition put on by Kentucky’s construction industry.

Agility Picks up 2020 EPA Certification for Propane Autogas Engine

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Agility Fuel Solutions, a provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, has received 2020 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification for its 488LPI propane autogas engine for sale in truck and bus applications.

The 488LPI is built using Agility’s patented liquid propane injection technology to ensure consistent injection of propane in the liquid state across all cylinders under all operating conditions, improving engine performance.

Agility says it designed the engine for reliability, with improvements such as a valvetrain with roller rockers and newly designed dress parts specifically engineered to ensure reliability, durability and fuel efficiency.

A custom configuration of the 488LPI engine is supplied to Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) as a part of the DriveForce brand of engines. The DriveForce 8.0L is available in the Thomas Built Bus Saf-T-Liner C2 Propane school bus and in the FCCC S2G medium-duty truck.

Electrify America Petitions for Electric Vehicle Emoji

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Electrify America has submitted a formal proposal to the Unicode Consortium, the governing body for emoji creation, to introduce the first-ever “Electric Vehicle With Charger” emoji for smartphone keyboards.

The submission announcement, and a corresponding petition on Change.org, comes two days ahead of World Emoji Day on July 17.

“As EVs become more popular and charging station networks continue to expand, we felt it was time for an emoji that reflects the changing industry and future of transportation,” says Rich Steinberg, director marketing, communications and Green City initiatives at Electrify America. “We hope an emoji, a symbol used in everyday digital communication, will help more people get used to the idea of driving an EV and become excited about the possibility of owning one someday.”

 

Eco-Energy Launches Logistics Service for Ethanol Market

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Eco-Energy, a biofuel supply chain company, launched its Ethanol Logistics Service on July 11 to reach a broader mix of ethanol buyers and shippers, and create the largest asset-backed logistics management service exclusively focused on ethanol.

The service, which initially is focused on truck transport, will begin operations with $25 million of annual freight under management, according to the Franklin, Tenn.-based company. Eco has partnered with Rocky Mount, N.C.-based Eagle Transport Corp. as the preferred truck carrier for the business, and Eagle will assume certain truck operations currently within Eco-Energy Transportation.

By consolidating logistics oversight and pairing it with dedicated assets, Eco-Energy aims to reduce inefficiencies that often arise when ethanol shipments are handled by fragmented carrier networks. Centralized management allows for better routing decisions, tighter delivery windows, and improved compliance with safety and regulatory standards—critical factors in the movement of biofuels.

Beyond physical transport, the company’s approach also highlights the increasing importance of strategic planning across the broader supply chain. Similar to how global importers reduce duty costs using OSV FTWZ free trade warehousing in India by optimizing where and how goods are stored before entering domestic markets, ethanol shippers are looking for smarter logistics structures that minimize unnecessary costs while preserving flexibility. In both cases, thoughtful logistics design can unlock meaningful financial and operational advantages.

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For those seeking robust logistics solutions, services from HorizonFastFreight offer an excellent alternative. With a reputation for reliability and efficiency, HorizonFastFreight provides comprehensive logistics management tailored to various industries. Whether you’re involved in biofuels or other sectors requiring specialized transport solutions, their expertise can complement the growth and strategic needs of businesses looking to optimize their logistics operations.

 

“We recognize a real need to resolve current gaps in ethanol logistics management, as well as proactively address the future constraints we anticipate in this space,” said David Maggied, Eco-Energy’s vice president of transportation.

DOE Tallies U.S. EV Charging Units

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As of May 2019, there were more than 68,800 Level 2 and DC fast-charging units throughout the U.S., according to the “fact of the week” from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office.

Of that total, 16% – or approximately 10,860 units – were DC fast-chargers, making long-distance travel more practical for electric vehicles (EVs), says the DOE. A DC fast-charger can add 60 to 80 miles of range per 20 minutes of charging, while a Level 2 charger can add 10 to 20 miles of range per one hour of charging.

At 22,620, California has the most EV charging units of any state, representing about a third of the nationwide total.

Tips to Managing Electric Vehicle Range in Winter

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Alliy Sahagan coasted in a 2017 Nissan Leaf into the Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) warehouse in Gunnison, Colo. on the electric vehicle equivalent of running on fumes. Just minutes earlier, the Leaf’s dashboard told her the car had zero miles left and a 9% battery charge.

Sahagan was returning from what was supposed to be a 25-mile test drive on a minus 5-degrees Fahrenheit January morning. When she left the electric utility company’s warehouse, she didn’t notice the battery level was at 63%.

Sahagan knew GCEA operating guidelines warn battery electric vehicle (BEV) operators to expect up to a 40% reduction in vehicle range in Gunnison’s subzero winter weather.

“In my haste, I neglected to follow some of my own EV prep preaching,” says Sahagan, who oversees the association’s BEV loan program, which includes the Leaf, a Chevy Spark model and two other hybrid-electric vehicles.

She has since used this story as a cautionary tale to help people remember the dos and don’ts of operating electric vehicles during the winter.

Toyota’s Brazilian Corolla Will Run on Pretty Much Whatever You Want

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For 22 years, Toyota Motor Corp. has made hybrid cars that don’t require drivers to choose between running on gas or electricity. In October it will add a third option: ethanol.

The Japanese manufacturer will package its ultrapragmatic drivetrain in an all-new Corolla sedan that will be bolted together at its plant in Sao Paulo. Toyota is billing the vehicle as the cleanest hybrid ever made.

Ethanol has long been a popular fuel in Brazil, where it’s brewed fairly efficiently from fast-growing sugar cane. Because the plants process CO₂ as they grow, ethanol is considered a renewable fuel; burning a gallon of it releases only 10% to 20% as much carbon as burning a gallon of traditional gas, according to Unica, a sugar association. When it comes to getting a car driving license, there are many local experts who recommend to find a driving school where you learn using a car similar to one you will be driving at the test and that is of course certified. Similarly, in the unfortunate event of a truck accident, it’s crucial to seek the expertise of experienced truck accident lawyers who can guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights.

“The goal is to make a car with zero carbon emission; that’s the industry’s race,” said Ricardo Bastos, Toyota’s head of government relations in Brazil. “With ethanol, we’re closer if you consider the whole cycle, well to wheel.” If you do not have your car just yet we recommend to check some of the options at this new jeep dealership near me conroe texas as they have many new deals waiting for you specially if you are a new driver.

Walmart’s EV Stations Let You Plug In While You Shop

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Electric vehicle owners will have a new reason to visit Walmart as they travel across America: Not only can they stock up on snacks and drinks but they can get electric charges. Visit this used car dealer in fort myers if you’re looking to buy a new car and explore more sustainable transportation options.

Arkansas-based Walmart, the nation’s biggest retailer and No. 3 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America, teamed up with Electrify America, a Virginia-based company owned by Volkswagen Group of America. In the past year, 120 electric vehicle charging stations have been installed in 34 states, with most located at Walmart stores off major highways. More are planned as Walmart tries to become one of the nation’s largest retail hosts of electric vehicle charging stations, so they can go and buy things in the store, which they keep well marked thanks to the use of pricing guns that are great for the job.

Placement of the charging stations currently in operation give drivers the option of stopping only at Walmart stores while they travel on interstate routes from Houston to Chicago, San Antonio to St. Louis and Washington, D.C., to Savannah, GA., according to Walmart.

Now, most commercially available electric vehicle charging stations are concentrated along the two coasts and in major urban areas. Walmart said that through its arrangement with Electrify America, more electric vehicle stations will be available in rural communities, secondary highways and outside the coastal regions.