DHL Fattens Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet

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As part of its sustainability efforts, parcel delivery company DHL is rolling out a new fleet of electric delivery vans that will serve U.S. markets.

These 63 new vehicles add to the company’s existing alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleet, which includes fully electric, hybrid-electric, compressed natural gas, cleaner diesel and propane autogas.

According to the 2018 corporate responsibility report from Deutsche Post DHL Group, the parent company of DHL, its global road transport operations have a fleet of more than 97,000 vehicles, including 8,000 with alternative drive technologies.

DHL has set a target of operating 70% of its first- and last-mile delivery services with clean transport modes by 2025. This goal is part of a longer-term Deutsche Post DHL Group commitment to reduce its logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050, a goal announced in March 2017.

Shell Acquiring EV Charging Company Greenlots

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Greenlots, a Los Angeles-based provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions, has signed an agreement to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell New Energies US LLC, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell PLC.

Together, the companies will offer software and services that enable the large-scale deployment of smart charging infrastructure and integrate with advanced energy resources such as solar, wind and storage.

“As power and mobility converge, there will be a seismic shift in how people and goods are transported,” says Brett Hauser, CEO of Greenlots. “Electrification will enable a more connected, autonomous and personalized experience. Our technology, backed by the resources, scale and reach of Shell, will accelerate this transition to a future mobility ecosystem that is safer, cleaner and more accessible.”

Biodiesel-powered vehicles are in it for the long haul

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Attendees at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego got a glimpse into the future Jan. 22 as equipment manufacturers, industry experts and fleets detailed why diesel engines, powered by low-carbon biodiesel blends, will continue to be a mainstay in the transportation industry for many years to come. The future of the fuels market is heavily influenced by the future of the vehicle market and vice-versa—the two are inseparable. However, transportation industry experts agree that diesel engines are in it for the long haul. And when those highly fuel-efficient and powerful diesel engines are paired with renewable, clean-burning biodiesel, the combination is hard to beat on the road to a more sustainable future.

According to recent research by The Fuels Institute and Navigant Research, diesel and hybrid diesel powertrains together are projected to make up nearly 62 percent of U.S. commercial vehicle registrations by 2025, compared to 35 percent gasoline and a total of 3 percent for all other technologies including hybrid gasoline, electric, fuel cell and natural gas vehicles. Industry experts from the Diesel Technology Forum, National Association of Fleet Administrators, and National Truck Equipment Association who spoke at the National Biodiesel Conference Jan. 22 agree that the forecast for diesel powertrains looks strong and steady. 

New Flyer Rolls out New Analytics Dashboard for Zero-Emission Buses

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New Flyer of America Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., has introduced Connect 360, a real-time, cloud-based business analytics dashboard for Xcelsior CHARGE battery-electric buses, operated by New Flyer Connect (CONNECT).

CONNECT, first introduced in 2011, has been installed on over 6,500 New Flyer transit buses across North America. Connect 360 is an enhanced and added feature, specifically engineered to track battery-electric, zero-emission bus (ZEB) performance using secure cloud-based technology. Connect 360 analytics can be retrieved 24/7 via laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone devices using the new CONNECT mobile app.

Key business analytics provided by Connect 360 include battery state-of-charge, outside air temperature trends, GPS location and average speeds, HVAC energy consumption per mile, regenerative braking, range achieved and remaining, and energy consumption (kWh/mile).

NGVi Launches Online CNG Fuel System Inspector Training

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Natural Gas Vehicle Institute (NGVi), a provider of technical training for the compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, has unveiled CNG fuel system inspector training as an e-learning option.

The course is a complete and interactive version of NGVi’s instructor-led training.

According to NGVi, the new e-learning course provides technicians an accessible and convenient way to learn how to conduct thorough CNG fuel system inspections by adhering to all applicable codes, standards and industry best practices. It also helps prepare technicians for the CNG Fuel System Inspector Certification Exam, which allows them to become NGVi-certified CNG fuel system inspectors.

Agility Picks up 2019 EPA Approval for Propane Engine

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Agility Fuel Solutions, a provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for its 488LPI 8.0L V-8 propane engine for sale through Dec. 31, 2019.

The 488LPI engine is assembled in Agility’s Salisbury, N.C., plant on a base General Motors V-8 engine long block with proprietary Agility dress parts, liquid propane injection (LPI) technology and controls. The 488LPI engine is used in school bus, propane bobtail and medium-duty truck applications. A version of the 488LPI engine is available on the Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 Propane school bus.

NGVAmerica Serves up Natural Gas Vehicle Fact Sheets

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NGVAmerica has released four new fact sheet touting the benefits of using natural gas for heavy-duty trucks, school buses, and refuse and transit vehicles.

NGVAmerica says the new information comes as states are distributing their shares of the $2.9 billion Environmental Mitigation Trust funding established as part of the Volkswagen emissions settlement.

“Volkswagen Trust funding offers a game-changing opportunity to accelerate the adoption and use of the cleanest medium- and heavy-duty engine on the market today, fueled by American natural gas,” says Daniel Gage, NGVAmerica’s president. “These public/private investments should be prioritized to achieve the greatest and most cost-effective reductions in NOx emissions to offset the environmental damage done, replacing dirty Class 4-8 diesel-powered trucks and buses with zero-emission equivalent Ultra Low-NOx vehicles powered by geologic and renewable natural gas.”

Hyundai to Invest $6.7B in Hydrogen

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Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest $6.7 billion in hydrogen fuel cell technology and hopes to produce 700,000 fuel cell systems each year by 2030. Hyundai, which owns about 33% of Kia Motor Corp., plans to install 500,000 of those in Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Hyundai announced its plans as part of its FCEV Vision 2030, which was announced Dec. 11 as it opened a new hydrogen fuel-cell plant in Chungju, South Korea. The plant, which will be operated by Hyundai Mobis, will increase output from today’s 3,000 fuel-cell packs per year to 40,000 a year by 2022.

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles haven’t been adopted in recent years partly because of the lack of fueling infrastructure. There are now 36 retail stations open in California with another 28 under development, according to the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

Hyundai says its research shows that global demand for hydrogen-powered vehicles will grow to 2 million per year by 2030.

Daimler is buying Nearly $23 billion of Battery Cells to Power its Electric Vehicle Offensive

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Daimler plans to buy $23 billion worth of battery cells by 2030 as the maker of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and commercial trucks prepares to bring dozens of electric and hybrid vehicles to market.

The German automaker didn’t disclose which companies would supply them with batteries. However, Daimler does have supply deals with LG Chem  and SK Innovation, as well as China’s CATL.

Daimler’s $22.8 billion budget for lithium-ion batteries is just part of its multi-billion effort to launch 130 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2022 as well as commercial trucks, buses and vans.

The company has been ramping up its electric vehicle offensive for years now, an effort that has included the development of a heavy-duty electric truck, plans to spend $1.2 billion to develop global battery production and an investment in electric charging company ChargePoint.

Biodiesel Stakeholders Ask Congress for Long-term Extension of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive

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The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and more than 50 member companies and affiliated organizations delivered a letter to House and Senate leaders, urging them to enact a multiyear extension of the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive before Congress adjourns for the year. In February 2018, Congress retroactively extended the tax incentive for 2017, leaving it expired for this year and beyond. The letter welcomes a recent proposal for a seven-year extension of the tax incentive.

In the letter, the biodiesel industry stakeholders state, “We believe that a multiyear extension of the tax incentive would help the biodiesel industry achieve substantial growth over the next several years, creating significant new employment opportunities, an important market for agricultural products and renewable feedstocks, as well as opportunities for rural economic growth.”

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel market has grown from about 100 million gallons in 2005, when the incentive was first implemented, to nearly 2.9 billion gallons in 2016.

Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs with the National Biodiesel Board, added, “The biodiesel industry has long advocated for a multiyear extension of the tax incentive. Congress can provide the certainty and predictability for producers and feedstock providers that will help us achieve our potential. Because the incentive is currently expired, it is urgent that Congress act before the end of the year.”