If fleet owners are wanting to take on electric vehicles sometime in the near future, they should really look into adopting a strategy that helps to get them there first. This is going to be a process and it isn't going to come together overnight. There are only a few out there as of right now, but as more and more start to take this on, it will set the tone for a lot of other manufacturers to start acquiring this type of vehicle.

Key Takeaways:

• Vehicle fleet managers are smelling the wind of change and buying electric vehicles and chargers.
• These pilot changes and budget allowances are critical and necessary. But, experts warn that they fall short.
• These experts have tallied the data and fully expect that a fleet, even comprised of only 3% EVs, will need to make sweeping changes to their supply line and other aspects of their businesses.

“More electric infrastructure will likely need more transmission lines but getting those approved and built could be complicated and politically challenging.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10136466/to-electrify-fleets-you-must-plan-for-the-long-term

Wheel separation is something that is well understood, we know very well how it happens. The bearings are something that you will want to be picky about because of the bearings are too tight or too loose, then this could lead to problems with your wheels. Before you go to place the wheel back onto the hub, make sure that the area is clear and free of debris, or this can create problems with wheel separation.

Key Takeaways:

• the causes of wheel separation can be caused by a few things, like loose ball bearings.
• Be extra picky about your bearings, over tightening or not tightening enough, can have an effect.
• Before even putting the wheel back on the hub, make sure it is clear of debris first.

“The Canadian province of Ontario has done loads of research into wheel separations and is probably the most active jurisdiction in North America”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10135611/4-ways-to-prevent-truck-wheel-offs

It used to just be that sensors were only rolling once the vehicle was moving and that this was a way to help improve safety of drivers by understanding their driving and stopping speed better. This new technology will record the entire drive, even when the vehicle isn't moving to help gain a better perspective on what needs to change or improve within the truck. The stopping speed and speed on its own are two safety issues that are continuously being improved.

Key Takeaways:

• Fleets rely on sensors to ensure braking as well as stopping and speed on all the trucks.
• There are some sensors that only work when the truck is moving, these will record the entire trip
• One of the benefits of having this is to convert the information into something safer.

“Systems such as the one from Samsara can be considered a “stand-alone,” says Ingo Wiegand, director of product management at Samsara.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10135529/how-in-cab-cameras-help-fleets-improve-safety

TA truck drivers can now have telematics installed in their trucks, and for those who already have it, they can be given an upgrade for this new technology. This will ensure that things move more smoothly as the industry continues to grow. It can be difficult to get your hands on the newest technology now that everybody is looking to get their hands on it at the same time. It is still possible and more will continue to roll out.

Key Takeaways:

• Professional drivers can now have telematics installed or they can be upgraded.
• the adoption of telematics continues to rise, and ones who already have it are getting an upgrade.
• Now that there is a high demand for this technology, it is a lot harder to get your hands on.

“Prior to this partnership, Spireon arranged for all installations to take place on-site at a carrier's location.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10136064/ta-truck-service-adds-spireon-fleetlocate-installation-service

There is a driverless vehicle that is moving in the next phase of their driverless vehicles by transitioning away from having a driver in the vehicle into not having a person present inside the vehicle at all. A safety driver was included in their vehicles all along up until this point and they will begin operating without one. The car will be only allowed on fixed and repeatable routes so that there is no issue with the operation.

Key Takeaways:

• Driverless vehicle testing is moving on the next step and operating without a driver.
• The company has also worked closely with legislation to ensure that this could be possible.
• There are other cars that are announcing that they will operate without drivers soon as well.

“The companies also announced a new test on a longer, 20-mile route between New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana, delivering items from a Walmart Supercenter to a customer pickup point.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10132860/gatik-to-remove-safety-driver-from-walmarts-av-service

the importance of oils is known to a lot of truck drivers and car owners alike because of the way it keeps the engine running the way it is supposed to. The lubricants inside of a vehicle help to maintain it and over the years, it has been developed into something that will give it an even better performance. There is now a new way to improve the oil even further to ensure peak performance of the engine and all its parts.

Key Takeaways:

• Protecting all the moving parts of a truck on the inside are some of the most essential.
• the oil that you use plays a vital role in the efficiency and performance of an engine.
• the pathway to upgrading these engine oils is clearer than it ever was before.

“Looking ahead to the future, the trend toward lower viscosity engine oils is set to continue, not only within the latest API CK-4 category”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10132798/the-road-ahead-for-heavy-duty-lubricants

There are several fleets that made the list of best places to work as far as safety and the environmental concerns. There is one company called grand island express that has been on the list for the past ten years. If you have made the list, it means that you are a company that is worth working for. In order to even be considered for nomination on the list of good companies, you have to be operating at least ten trucks.

Key Takeaways:

• essential services have been recognized so it's important to recognize exemplary work environments.
• Grand island express has been acknowledge as being on the list for the past ten years.
• In order to be considered, you had to be operating ten or more trucks in your company.

““Even in the midst of a pandemic these fleets are focused on creating a great workplace experience for all their drivers, and with an average satisfaction rate over 90% their drivers clearly appreciate those efforts.””

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10134333/tca-and-carriersedge-name-2021-best-fleets-to-drive-for

The biggest reasons for the delay is repairs is that the parts aren't available and have to be shipped in from somewhere else, and the fact that sometimes, problems aren't diagnosed properly. So, when you are making repairs, you might not be fixing the actual problem because it wasn't diagnosed properly. It is important that everyone inside the repair shop are all on the same page so that the repairs that are performed can be done so in a timely manner.

Key Takeaways:

• Fleets want to maximize downtime as much as possible for repairs to get them back on the road again.
• Not being diagnosed properly and parts that needed to be ordered elsewhere were two big problems.
• Every bay needs to have computers for proper diagnosis and knowledge to repair the problems.

“During last fall’s meeting of the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, the Service Provider Study Group led a session focused on maximizing uptime.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10137577/top-3-causes-of-truck-repair-delays

Recent safety recommendation by the federal government states that impact guard mounted on the rear of the truck should be listed as an item to be inspected annually. Utility agrees with this recommendation and strongly encourages commercial operators to consider retrofitting a bumper that is 7 inches in overall depth. This size would be more than sufficient to meet all current and future safety requirements. The company is offering a discount in hope that price reduction would be an incentive for the retrofit.

Key Takeaways:

• Utility Trailer Manufacturing announced that its dry vans, refrigerated vans, and flatbeds produced after 2002 can be retrofitted with Utility’s standard 7-inch-deep horizontal rear underride guard.
• Utility said it strongly recommends replacing any underride guards found defective with its 7-inch-deep horizontal bumper in order to exceed all rear trailer guard safety regulations.
• It's often called an “ICC bumper,” a holdover from the simple rear horizontal bars first required by the old Interstate Commerce Commission in 1952.

“Utility will discount the new bumpers as an incentive to replace the old underride guards.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10135606/utility-implements-standard-7-rear-impact-guard-on-all-trailer-models

The opportunities for truck body customizations are endless. Even the most demanding customers can find a shop that will meet all the requirements. The job will be easier to do if you provide as much information about the truck as possible. Custom builder would want to know the history of the truck and main issues your fleet is facing. In order to design a solution that will score high on safety, ensure that builder knows the application in which the truck is going to be used.

Key Takeaways:

• Buyers that can describe the history of their fleets and trucks will have an easier time with future fleet management.
• A good manufacturer must ask all the right questions to truly understand what the buyer needs, and the buyer must be able to answer those questions as thoroughly as they can.
• Body buyers and managers understand what their operations and drivers need to be efficient. Come prepared with an idea of what your fleet will need, and the internal sales team can help guide you.

“The vehicle chassis you purchase and send to your builder also establishes design needs for the truck body.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10136079/5-important-details-to-provide-your-commercial-truck-body-builder