In response to ever-changing fuel prices, Thermo King has released a product that it says can boost cooling capacity by as much as 4 percent and lower fuel consumption by 7 percent. The Smooth Air Blower, a new evaporator blower assembly is available for single and multi-temperature refrigeration units and is standard on some models. A more efficient blade design and a smaller assembly offers a 24 percent Continue Reading

Implementing the new federal fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks and pickups stands to save fleets, consumers and the nation as a whole billions of dollars in reduced fuel consumption and reduced emissions, which in turn yield a cleaner environment and improved public health, according to an analysis conducted by the National Wildlife Federation. What’s more, the organization says it has determined that the fuel savings will more than cover the upcharge for the pricier technologies required to meet the new standards. The $6,000 to $8,000 more for Continue Reading

A recent report about the Port of Tacoma’s Clean Truck program is showing some improvements, even from last year when it was implemented. Of the 3,100 short-haul drayage trucks that regularly serve terminals on the Tacoma Tideflats, 90 percent are model year 1994 or newer, up 4 percent from last year, which complies with the Continue Reading

The for-hire carrier UPS continues to get greener. In its latest eco-friendly move, the company deployed 245 delivery trucks powered by compressed natural gas to Denver and four cities in California. The use of the vehicles is part of the carrier’s continued effort to reduce its carbon footprint. Each of the trucks are marked with CNG decals, and they are expected to yield Continue Reading

A “major breakthrough” in battery technology is a must to boost the demand for all-electric and hybrid electric vehicles, according to a study recently released by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Without it, the high-tech vehicles will never have a mass market appeal. The study indicated that if they higher prices had a quicker Continue Reading

Calling it a threat to the future of the trucking industry, motor carrier heavyweights Con-Way and Schneider voiced their opposition to carbon cap and trade provisions in the American Clean Air and Security Act. Cap and trade is a policy tool that covers sources of carbon emissions and enables producers to design compliance strategies to meet overall reduction requirements. Included, among other options, are the Continue Reading

Fleets may soon benefit from a tax credit for purchasing auxiliary power units (APU) if a bill introduced in the House of Representatives passes. The Idling Reduction Tax Credit Act of 2009 offers a tax credit for 50 percent of the unit up to $3,000. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that idle-related fuel consumption would Continue Reading

Today’s average Class 8 tractor contains 1,000 pounds of aluminum, but a chairman at the Aluminum Association says there is room for that number to grow. Buoyed by the success of using high-strength lightweight aluminum in automotive applications, the commercial vehicle sector is the next step for expanding its use. The future could Continue Reading

Three of California’s major metropolitan areas stand to benefit from FedEx Corp.’s recent boosting of its hybrid fleet by more than 50 percent. The global express delivery company retrofitted 92 trucks with diesel-electric engines and added them to its delivery fleet primarily servicing the Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego metropolitan areas. Not only will the move Continue Reading

The American Trucking Association voiced its concerns over climate-change legislation before the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, outlining the points it believes should be addressed in any new laws to prevent any substantial increases on consumer goods. The fear is that stringent impositions on the freight delivery system could Continue Reading