Technology
Pandemic Forces Some Fleets to Furlough Drivers, but Others Have Been Quick to Hire Them
helivideo/Getty Images
As the coronavirus pandemic took hold, it disrupted freight demand in many segments of the economy, forcing some carriers to furlough drivers while others were quick to hire those furloughed drivers as a way to swiftly onboard experienced commercial vehicle operators.
July 27, 2020Trailer-Tracking Unit Furthers VHub Telematics Integration
Francis Roy by John Sommers II for Transport Topics
Digital asset-sharing platform vHub announced that its integration of telematics offerings now includes the TrackLight taillamp GPS trailer-tracking solution from Anytrek and the 4W Telematics trailer tracking system.
July 27, 2020Ryder Offers Workhorse Electric Step Van
A Workhorse C 1000 electric step van. Ryder will place the first group of Workhorse C 1000 vehicles through COOP. (Youtube via Duane Hughes)
Workhorse Group Inc. announced Ryder System Inc. is offering the C-Series Workhorse all-electric step van and that Ryder will place the first group of Workhorse C 1000 vehicles through COOP.
July 24, 2020Penske to Add Another Freightliner eM2 in Southern California
Penske Truck Leasing
Penske Truck Leasing announced it is working with EnerSys to put another battery-electric, medium-duty Freightliner eM2 into service.
July 24, 2020Stoneridge-Orlaco Announces SideEye Blind-Spot Detection System
Truck with rearview and blind-spot mirrors. (Harry Wedzinga/Getty Images)
Technology provider Stoneridge-Orlaco introduced active camera and radar detection system SideEye, which is intended to reduce blind spots and increase safety.
July 24, 2020Green Energy Companies Partner to Proliferate Hydrogen Trucks
A hydrogen fuel pump at an industry show. (Peggy Smith/Transport Topics)
Green energy companies ReCarbon and HYZON Motors partnered July 23 in an effort to propel hydrogen-powered truck projects globally.
July 24, 2020VW CEO Herbert Diess Lauds Elon Musk Over Tesla’s Earnings
Elon Musk waves during the Satellite 2020 Conference in Washington on March 9. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News)
Volkswagen AG’s CEO again praised Tesla Inc.’s Elon Musk, this time for showing it’s possible to profit off electric cars even in the midst of a global pandemic.
July 24, 2020DOT Releases Policy Document on Emerging Tech Engagement
USDOT via YouTube
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on July 23 unveiled guidelines that technology innovators can follow to help them engage with the federal government as they develop new projects.
July 23, 2020ATA Meets With OMB to Discuss Hair Sample Testing Rule
A hair sample is prepped for testing. (Psychmedics)
A new federal drug-testing law for truck drivers that has been held up at the White House for more than a year may finally be poised for advancement, according to an executive from American Trucking Associations who recently met with officials from the Office of Management and Budget.
July 23, 2020Nikola Breaks Ground on Arizona Plant
The Nikola Two fuel-cell powered big rig hauler, set for production in 2023. (Nikola)
Nikola Corp. broke ground July 23 on a new electric-truck factory in Coolidge, Ariz., that it hopes to open next year, but first the startup needs to figure out a way to pay for the 1 million square-foot facility and other expenses with little cash on hand.
July 23, 2020