Alternative power

Diesel price hike to boost alt fuel adoption a 'non-starter'
Generous incentives have long been used to motivate fleets to adopt alternative fuels and powertrains to reduce emissions. But might disincentives, like a higher diesel tax, help boost alt fuel sales even more?
June 2, 2023
Westport’s High Pressure Direct Injection display at ACT Expo earlier this month attracted plenty of attention. Westport, which advertises the system for natural gas and hydrogen engines, states on its website that “HPDI with 40% biomethane delivers the same life cycle CO2 reductions as fuel cells using blue/green hydrogen blends, and can deliver zero [well-to-wheels] CO2 with pure biomethane.”
Mack's MD Electric now available for California purchase voucher
Mack Trucks announced Thursday its new Mack MD Electric model is approved to be a part of California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP).
June 1, 2023
Mack MD Electric tractor
Carbon negative bio-LNG could gain traction in the U.S.
Cummins, Hexagon Agility and Natural Gas Vehicles for America weigh in on bio liquified natural gas which for now has been mostly at work in European trucks.
May 26, 2023
Internal combustion still got game. Hexagon Agility displayed UPS' Mack truck which runs on renewable natural gas at ACT Expo earlier this month. The annual week-long event features mostly all-electric commercial vehicles followed by hydrogen fuel cell. Internal combustion (IC) examples like the one above are few and far between though experts, including those at Cummins, see clean-running IC powertrains playing a critical role on the long path to zero emissions. Bio liquified natural gas (LNG) may get some additional use in the U.S. as fleets push to cut emissions but it's expected to be an uphill climb given a lack of infrastructure. Hexagon reports that it's bio LNG Cryoshelter shown on the left sparked interest in both U.S. and European fleets.
ClearFlame ethanol trucks roll out next month in Texas
Chicago-based ClearFlame is gaining more ground with diesel engines converted to run on E98 ethanol, which the company says can help fleets more quickly slash emissions at a much lower cost than nascent zero-emission powertrains.
May 25, 2023
ClearFlame display at the 2023 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim, Calif.
Blue Bird opens EV build-up center
Blue Bird Corporation has celebrated the grand opening of its Electric Vehicle (EV) Build-up Center on the grounds of the company’s main U.S. manufacturing plant in Fort Valley, Ga.
May 25, 2023
Blue Bird EV center
Alta eMobility expands territories with Nikola
Alta eMobility recently announced its expansion with Nikola Corporation into the Northern Illinois and Florida territories to provide customers in these two major markets with electrified fleet and workplace charging solutions.
May 19, 2023
Nikola Tre
Cummins announces EV charging partnership with Heliox
“We have a storied history of building innovative partnerships that combine strengths to create incremental value for our customers. Our relationship with EV charging partners builds on this legacy,” says Cummins' Zach Gillen.
May 17, 2023
Cummins sign
Volvo launches AR safety app for electric trucks
"The new AR app is a powerful tool that can support the emergency services to quickly and safely secure the site, while minimizing the risk of injury to themselves and others," says Lars Stenqvist, chief technology officer for Volvo Group.
May 16, 2023
A man holding a tablet in front of a blue Volvo truck.
Establishing heavy-duty EV charging infrastructure was a key theme at ACT Expo
DTNA has calculated a $52 billion investment in charging infrastructure is required to meet nationwide 2032 climate targets for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles alone. Daimler's John O'Leary said the only way to meet those needs is "together."
May 11, 2023
John O'Leary at ACT Expo
Perrone, Global Finance team up for autonomous campus vehicles
Vans can be used as campus shuttles, for VIP service and demonstrations and for incorporation into research and development programs.
May 10, 2023
An overhead view of a college campus.
Nikola, Iveco announce update to joint venture
Beginning now, Iveco Group will concentrate on Europe for the further development and commercialization of its own battery electric and fuel cell electric trucks. Nikola will focus its operations in North America.
May 9, 2023
Nikola_FCEV truck
Volvo tests hydrogen trucks on public roads
"The harsh conditions on public roads in northern Sweden, with ice, wind and lots of snow, make an ideal testing environment," says Vice President of Powertrain Product Management Helena Alsio.
May 8, 2023
A blue truck going down a snowy road lined with trees.
Hyundai bringing fuel cell truck to the U.S.
Hyundai points to its XCIENT fuel cell as a more appropriate technology than all-electric for more challenging applications like Class 8 trucks.
May 3, 2023
The Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell truck offers up to 450 miles of range.
Lion rolls out 'best-in-class' electric medium duty chassis
When the best-in-class Lion 5 debuted this week at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo it nearly sold out.
May 5, 2023
The all-electric Lion 5 that debuted this week at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim, California is shown above in an ambulance configuration. A longer 153-inch wheel base with rear dualies is also available.
Hyliion rolls out maintenance-free Karno generator
The fuel agnostic Hyliion Karno long-haul truck improves the bottom line while slashing emissions.
May 4, 2023
Hyliion Karno truck on display
Navistar, Quanta partner for for EV infrastructure
"Our electric vehicles are only as strong as the grid that powers them," says Mathias Carlbaum, Navistar's president and CEO.
May 3, 2023
The grille of an international truck.
Volvo expands service contract product, adds more Certified EV Dealers
Volvo Trucks North America made news at this week's Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, Calif., announcing updates to its Volvo Blue service contract and adding even more dealer locations to its Certified EV Dealer Network.
May 3, 2023
Volvo VNR electric truck
Peterbilt, Kenworth fuel cell trucks entering production with much more range than electric
After a successful pilots with Toyota last year, Kenworth and Peterbilt each plan hydrogen fuel cell long-haul trucks with up to three times the range of the battery-electric.
May 2, 2023
Kenworth hydrogen fuel cell T680
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Outlook and Benchmarking
MEMA survey shows supplier concerns regarding 2024 forecasts
Truck makers ordering more product than industry forecasts believe necessary is beginning to cause consternation for heavy-duty suppliers, reported MEMA during the association’s monthly Pulse webinar Wednesday.
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Finance
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