TURN TO THE EXPERTS™ - Carrier Transcold

Carrier Transicold's industry-leading innovative single temperature and multi-temperature solutions for trailers, straight trucks, and rail cars provide efficient, reliable, emissions-compliant performance that improves our customers' operations in today's ever-changing marketplace.

We offer a complete range of the industry's most advanced refrigeration equipment, from the industry benchmark X4™ trailer series to the Supra® diesel truck family, our vehicle powered direct-drive units, and Carrier’s exclusive all-electric architecture Vector™ trailer units.

Learn more at: https://www.carrier.com/truck-trailer/en/north-america/products/na-truck-trailer/

Ford F-750 Chassis Cab ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system

Get the job done in the 2016 Ford F-750 chassis cab outfitted with the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system. This clean-burning vehicle lowers operating costs and emissions without sacrificing performance. Save on fuel and maintenance costs while maintaining the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity.

• How to Order
• Order a New Vehicle
• To buy a new Ford F-750 chassis cab fueled by propane autogas and installed by an authorized Ford Ship-Thru facility:

Order your vehicle from an authorized ROUSH CleanTech Ford Dealership
Include the gaseous fuel (LPG / CNG) prep package code: 99D
Or, contact one of our authorized installation partners:

• A-1 Auto Electric
• Transfer Flow Inc.
• Green Alternative Systems
• Knapheide
• Manning Equipment
• Rush Truck Dallas

After your dealer places the order with Ford, the vehicle will be built and shipped from the assembly line to one of the authorized ship-thru facilities. It is then placed back in Ford’s transportation system for faster vehicle delivery.

Benefits
Operating Costs: Reduced
Propane autogas vehicles are known for their extended engine life and reduced maintenance costs compared to gasoline vehicles. Propane’s higher octane rating and lower carbon and oil contamination rate not only helps you to save our ‘green’ environment, but saves you ‘green’ at the bank, too. Check out this Savings Calculator that lets you know how much you could save by switching to propane today.

Emissions: Reduced
As little as one gallon of spilled gasoline can quickly contaminate groundwater above drinking water health advisory levels. Propane, on the other hand, is not a groundwater contaminat. Fueling with nontoxic propane autogas means operating on a safer, cleaner fuel that produces:

• 20 percent less nitrogen oxide
• 60 percent less carbon monoxide
• Up to 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• Fewer particulate emissions
• Visit the Propane Page for more details on environmental benefits.

Performance: Identical
The Ford F-750 chassis cab equipped with the ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel system provides the same great performance, horsepower, torque and towing capacity as the gasoline powered counterpart. In any altitude or extreme weather condition, you can depend on this fleet vehicle to provide reliability and performance.

Warranty: Identical
ROUSH CleanTech maintains the factory Ford 5-year / 100,000-mile or 4,000 hours limited powertrain warranty on vehicles equipped with the liquid propane autogas system. The ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system is covered by a limited 1-year / 12,000-mile warranty when installed on a truck that is no longer covered by the Ford factory warranty.

Serviceability: Identical
This vehicle can be easily serviced using any standard Ford diagnostic equipment. With a growing network of service centers around the country, and the ability to send technicians out to train mechanics in the service requirements of these vehicles, there is bound to be a service center near you. To find a dealer, visit the Dealer Locator, or call 800.59.ROUSH.

Corporate Benefits
By incorporating propane autogas Ford F-750 chassis cabs into your fleet, you will be helping America achieve energy independence because this alternative fuel source is domestically produced. Converting your fleet to propane autogas will also help your company to turn a greater profit by saving you on the bottom line costs of fuel and maintenance. You will increase customer loyalty because your customers will appreciate you providing them with a more environmentally responsible way to receive your products or services.

Tax Incentives
A tax incentive is available for alternative fuel that is sold for use or used as a fuel to operate a motor vehicle. Retroactive to January 1, 2015, the credits are extended through December 31, 2016.

 The tax credits consist of:

• A $.50 per gallon excise tax credit for 2015.
• A $.36 per gallon excise tax credit for 2016. The reduction for 2016 reflects an updated energy content calculation of excise tax.
• A fueling infrastructure credit for up to 30 percent of installation costs, not to exceed $30,000.
• For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy‘s website.

System Overview
The components of your new propane autogas tank can be broken down into a few primary assemblies:

• Fuel Rail Assembly
• Fuel Rail
• Fuel Injectors
• Injection Pressure / Temperature Sensor
• Fuel Line Assembly
• Fuel Lines
• Flow Control Solenoid
• Fuel Tank Assembly
• Fuel Tank
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel Level Sensor
• Recalibration of Ford Powertrain Control System
• Calibration
• Wiring Harness

For more information on propane autogas fuel system engineering click here.

Learn more at: http://www.roushcleantech.com/ford-f-750/

Merry Christmas

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Wishing you a season of gladness, 
a season of cheer,

and to top it all off - a wonderful new year

Piedmont Natural Gas Aims for CNG Truck Conversions

Growth of an NGV Fleet

Of the 1,215 vehicles in Piedmont’s fleet, the natural gas company has converted approximately 38% to NGVs since 2009. As of June 2017, it expects that percentage to grow to approximately 42% by the end of the year.

The NGV fleet is predominantly used for customer service-related calls and natural gas pipeline construction and maintenance.

“We have several different models of NGVs in our fleet, with the majority being Ford F-150, F-250, or F-350 trucks. We also have some transit vehicles, such as the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Ford Transit Connect. We also have been adding CNG dump trucks to our fleet,” said David Nestor, director of CNG for Piedmont Natural Gas.

Piedmont Natural Gas Fleet

Asset Type	% of Fleet
Car	9%
SUV	1%
Truck HD	1%
Truck LD	73%
Van	16%
Grand Total	100%

^{SOURCE: PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS}

Piedmont Natural Gas is committed to promoting the use of natural gas vehicles as part of its commitment to sustainable business practices.

“We’ve experienced an approximate 30% growth in CNG from 2015 to 2016, and we expect our CNG business to grow up to another 30% in 2017,” Nestor said.

In 2016, Piedmont and its CNG customers together displaced more than 5 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel.

Challenges to Using CNG

The CNG industry is still relatively new, but as more companies choose to convert their fleets to natural gas vehicles, CNG infrastructure and technology will become more widely available.

CNG’s popularity is increasing as more fleet operators are realizing the benefits of compressed natural gas for transportation. According to NGVAmerica, there are currently more than 165,000 NGVs on U.S. roads and more than 1,640 CNG and 123 LNG stations in the U.S. to serve their fueling needs.

“Piedmont is doing our part to promote this technology by helping to build a network of both public and private refueling infrastructure throughout our service territory,” Nestor said.

Piedmont strategically locates its publicly accessible refueling stations near interstates and along major trucking routes.

“We just opened our 11th station, strategically located near the junction of I-40 and US 321 in Hickory, N.C., and we are continually looking at opportunities to expand our footprint and strengthen the CNG infrastructure at our existing stations,” Nestor added. “Our stations are professionally maintained by experienced Piedmont CNG technicians to ensure reliability for our customers. Our public CNG stations accept all major fleet cards for payment to make it easier for our customers.”

Piedmont is also building stations with larger horsepower compressors to accommodate the larger truck tank package and to also reduce the amount of time required to fill the tanks.

Approximately 73% of the Piedmont Natural Gas fleet is comprised of light-duty trucks, with a number of natural-gas-powered Ford F-150s. (Photo: Piedmont Natural Gas)

Tips from the Field

Piedmont’s experience in growing a natural gas fleet has been positive, with continued growth on the horizon. For fleets looking to start a conversion, or convert even more vehicles to natural gas, Nestor had some advice.

“Businesses that are considering alternative-fuel sources as part of their sustainability initiatives should consider natural gas. NGVs produce significantly fewer emissions when compared to gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles,” Nestor said.

In addition, Nestor said the largest growth opportunity is in fleet operators who operate heavy-duty trucks. Furthermore, fleets that run regular routes and return to a fixed refueling base, such as delivery vehicles and refuse trucks, can benefit from using CNG.

National and regional fleets can use the CNG station locator on the Department of Energy’s website (www.afdc.energy.gov) to explore more strategic transportation routes that can help a fleet owner increase their CNG utilization.

One major recommendation Nestor had for fleets looking to grow the number of NGVs in use is to have vendors in place to help configure the vehicle correctly for its application.

“In addition, have access to maintenance providers who have facilities set up to work on natural gas vehicles with trained technicians,” Nestor said.

Also, don’t forget to contact your local Clean Cities coalition for networking opportunities and additional assistance. 

Source: http://www.greenfleetmagazine.com/channel/natural-gas/article/story/2017/09/piedmont-natural-gas-aims-for-cng-truck-conversions.aspx

Why Some Trucks Have Extra Wheels Behind

Learn why some trucks have extra wheels behind

'Not a me-too truck': Inside the Mack Anthem cab

The first thing you notice about the Mack Anthem is that Mack’s new Class 8 on-highway offering wears its edge on its sleeve. But the new truck is more than its chiseled lines and bold highlights—it’s been designed from the ground up both inside and out. Come along as we crawl through the Mack Anthem on this episode of On the Road. www.fleetequipmentmag.com www.FEOnTheRoad.com

FUEL SAVING TIPS FOR TRUCKS: REDUCE IDLING, SAVE ON GAS

STUDY PROVES TURNING YOUR VEHICLE OFF MINIMIZES BOTH FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS.

You may have heard that it takes more fuel to turn your vehicle off and back on again than it does to stay idling when stopped. One fast food chain even made a claim that it was “Greener” to use the drive-through than parking and walking in for a to-go order. With fuel costs and anti-idling laws being an essential consideration for vehicle owners and fleet managers, it’s important to know the facts.

The fact is that even for short stops, it saves fuel to turn off your vehicle. Idling for even 10 seconds produces more CO2 emissions and burns more fuel than simply turning your engine off, and restarting. This was found by a study done by Argonne National Laboratory, and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program.

IDLING STUDY RESULTS
Engineers were tasked to study vehicles in the Argonne laboratory’s Advanced Powertrain Research Facility to determine the impacts of idling and restarting. Dynamometer tests were conducted at the facility and revealed that parking a vehicle, turning it off, and then restarting it uses less fuel and produces less CO2 than idling for just 10 seconds. In addition, the study also revealed that the fastest way to warm up a car engine is to drive the vehicle, not by idling it. Argonne found that depending on the vehicle’s size, 0.2 to 0.5 gallons of fuel per hour is used when idling.

EMBRACE ANTI-IDLING LAWS
With these findings, and as states, provinces, and countries continue to introduce climate change action plans and green initiatives focused on greenhouse gas emissions, now is the perfect time to start embracing an anti-idle mindset in day-to-day driving and work operations. And for those that use air compressors, the VMAC UNDERHOOD70 – Green Series Air Compressor integrates perfectly into environmentally-friendly and fuel-conscious operations.

UNDERHOOD70-GREEN SERIES AIR COMPRESSOR
The VMAC UNDERHOOD70 – Green Series Air Compressor produces up to 70 CFM at 100% duty cycle. This powerful rotary screw air compressor is installed under the hood of the work truck and its throttle control automatically adjusts truck engine idle speed just enough to match air demand, which reduces fuel consumption. What’s more, the easy-to-use VMAC intelligent digital controls also cut down on idling, as the control system shuts the truck off when air isn’t being used, and then automatically turns the truck back on when air is needed. This reduces fuel consumption and emissions as the vehicle is not idling when tools are not in use. Learn more about the VMAC UNDERHOOD70 – Green Series Air Compressor.

VEHICLE IDLING STUDY CONCLUSION
Going back to the fast food chain’s claim, no, it is not greener to use the drive-through than it is to park and pick up your order inside the restaurant. Here are the facts:

• Idling for more than 10 seconds burns more fuel, and produces more C02 emissions than turning the engine on and off
• Idling for an hour uses 0.2 to 0.5 gallons of fuel, depending on the vehicle, and fuel consumption increases as idling speed increases
• Warming up a vehicle by driving is more effective than idling

Consider these findings next time you find yourself idling your truck, whether working on a job site, picking up a food order, or warming up your truck this winter. And when planning to purchase a new air compressor, consider the VMAC UNDERHOOD70 – Green Series Air Compressor.

Source and learn more at: https://www.vmacair.com/blog/


Related blogs: Going Green with VMAC: Lightweight & Fuel Saving Air Compressors

Path to electrification not straight to linehaul: Mack

OAKLAND, CA – Mack Trucks continues to see a healthy future for diesel engines, even as alternatives like electrification begin to emerge.

“Diesel today, it’s performing extremely well. It’s cleaner than it’s ever been, it’s robust, it’s versatile,” said Roy Horton, director – product strategy, during a briefing in Oakland, California. As for talk about electric trucks? “It’s almost a little bit of an uphill battle there.”

Electrification is “on the bubble, and it’s something everyone is looking at,” he said, admitting that the recent unveiling of Elon Musk's Tesla Semi attracted attention. “It’s definitely going to be part of our future.” Just not for longhaul. Not right away.

Mack believes the earliest adopters of electrification will be operations with the chance to charge at a home base and not depend on general infrastructure for fuel. That includes refuse, local delivery, and public transportation fleets.

Next would be applications with fixed routes where infrastructure is established but longer ranges are less of a concern. That opens opportunities for local distribution, regional haulers, and select vocational segments.

Longhaulers would be the last to use the trucks, drawing on power from secured infrastructure.

For its part, Mack has already been working with electrification in its own right. It unveiled a range-extended LR refuse truck in 2016, and a diesel-electric hybrid drayage truck. With Siemens it is also experimenting with the idea of electric highways, with vehicles drawing on the power of wires strung along the routes. The company is producing electric buses, too.

Mack will focus on electrification where it’s “commercially viable”, stressed Jonathan Randall, Mack’s senior vice president – North American sales. As for new players such as Nikola Motors and Tesla? “Competition is good.”

Mack’s work with alternative power sources hardly ends there. It already has experience with biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, and Dimethyl Ether (DME).

“We have, and continue to investigate, all of the viable alternatives,” Horton said.

“Mack is well-positioned, no matter which way the market goes.”


Source: https://www.todaystrucking.com/path-to-electrification-not-straight-to-linehaul-mack

By John G. Smith, Posted: Dec 4, 2017 10:29 AM | Last Updated: Dec 4, 2017 10:36 AM

The Need for Truck Scales

It's no secret that most of America's goods are transported by truck. Because of this, states have enacted various laws and taxes to regulate the industry. Each state has its own laws on how much a truck can weigh when transporting goods. A common standard for the weight allowed is 34,000 pounds or 15,400 kilograms. The amount of weight carried per axle is called axle weight. The gross weight is the total of all the axles of the truck. Most states receive taxes from the truck weigh stations, which goes to improving the roadways. Trucks that are overweight are subject to heavy fines, which is why there are many high quality truck scales available for companies and contractors.

Truck scales are made out of concrete and steel. They are built to handle a large amount of weight each day all year long. The scales can handle up to 80,000 pounds or 36,000 kilograms per load. The weight is calculated by sensors that receive signals from a junction box. Strain gauges, which are wires are embedded in the concrete and have an electrical current running through them. These wires will compress when pressure from the weight of the truck is sensed. The weight is then displayed on a monitor in a booth where the attendant records the weight. It is vital that these systems are reliable and functioning, because if they aren't it will directly affect their pocketbooks.

Another way that is used is called one-axle. In this instance the truck driver needs to place each axle on the truck scales one axel at a time. Once all the axles are weighed a total is given. This takes a lot of time out of the driver's schedule. One stop weighing is where the driver can place the truck on one large scale and the controller will give a gross weight. The one popular method of weighting trucks is when the truck is in motion. The truck doesn't have to stop at all. The sensors on the truck scales will pick up the weight and record it all while the truck is in motion.

Another reason that a company uses truck scales is because running an over loaded truck all the time would cause more wear on the truck. The engine would have to work harder which means you need to change your oil more often to accommodate for the extra stress. Tires would also wear out at a faster pace. Running an over weighted truck is a safety hazard as well as being illegal.

Fines for running an over weighted truck in some states have become much higher. Some fines ran 10 cents a pound for every pound you were over the weight limit, up to a fine of $500 per load. Those same states now are charging fines of 12 cents per pound with no limit to the amount of the fine. States are getting tired of truckers running loads that are overweight and ruining their roads and endangering other drivers. The heavy weight of the trucks does enough damage to the roadways at the normal weight. When to many over weighted trucks continually use their roads it causes repair needs to be done often. The taxes they collect go towards keeping the roads safe for all drivers. So we all have truck scales to thank for not only getting us our goods, but keeping us safe as well!

Troy writes about anything and everything interesting. Have any idea for an article? Pass it along!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Troy_Bassham/1147404

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6859351

New Commercial Electric Vehicle Summit, Set to be Co-Located with 2018 ACT Expo

The new event will showcase the latest advancements in battery-electric and fuel cell vehicle technologies for the medium- and heavy-duty market

Santa Monica, CA — Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), North America’s leading clean transportation and energy consulting firm and conference organizers of the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, announced today that they are launching a new event that will highlight advancements in the commercial electric drive vehicle market. This new event will further expand the annual ACT Expo, which is now in its eighth year and is the industry’s largest gathering of commercial fleets, clean fuel and charging infrastructure providers, and advanced transportation vehicle and technology suppliers for all weight classes. ACT Expo is scheduled April 30-May 3, 2018 in Southern California.

“The market momentum for medium- and heavy-duty electric-drive technologies has been incredible this year as evidenced by the recent onslaught of headlines from OEMs that are developing and commercializing products in response to increasing market demand in California and beyond,” stated Erik Neandross, CEO of GNA. “We’ve decided to co-locate the Commercial Electric Vehicle Summit with ACT Expo, as it provides a built-in audience of more than 3,000 clean transportation stakeholders and has been the venue of choice for companies debuting electric drive fleet products, including BYD, Kenworth, ADOMANI, Lightning Systems, TransPower, US Hybrids/US Fuel Cell, ClipperCreek, among others.”

This announcement comes on the heels of several headlines from truck manufacturers who are developing battery-electric and fuel cell drive technologies. Cummins, one of the biggest diesel engine manufacturers in the nation, unveiled an electric powertrain for a Class 7 tractor just last week. Peterbilt unveiled a prototype Class 8 battery-electric truck earlier this year. Companies like BYD and Motiv offer electric powertrains for numerous medium- and heavy-duty commercial applications. Tesla has announced that it will unveil its long-anticipated battery-electric Class 8 long-haul truck later this month. Start-up Nikola Motor Co. is developing a hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain for long haul trucks, and Toyota Motor Co. recently unveiled a working prototype fuel cell drayage truck.

As the transportation industry continues to see an increased focus on environmental performance and fuel cost savings, electric drive technologies will continue to see growing momentum. The key themes for the inaugural Commercial Electric Vehicle Summit will include:

• Product availability – showcasing the growing participation from global engine manufacturers in the medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle market
• Fleet success stories – highlighting early electric vehicle market deployments from top fleets across weight classes and transportation sectors
• Charging infrastructure – developing scalable solutions and industry-wide standards
• Financing and incentives – discussions on incentives and grants, dedicated utility rates, special lane access, and other creative financing models
• Battery advancements – evolving battery technologies and performance, production capabilities, and a look at real versus perceived weight limitations
• Reliable payback estimates – understanding how to assess (and reduce) upfront versus lifetime vehicle and infrastructure costs
• Speakers, sponsors, and partnerships will be announced in the coming months. Registration will open in January 2018. For more information, visit www.actexpo.com

About Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA)

GNA is the leading North American consulting firm specializing in market development for low-emission and alternative fuel vehicle technologies, infrastructure and fuels for both on and off-road applications. For more than 20 years, GNA has pioneered the nation’s largest and most innovative alternative fuel projects in the on-road and off-road sectors. In addition to its technical consulting practice, GNA hosts North America’s leading alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technology conferences—including the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, the Rethink Methane Symposium, and the High Horsepower (HHP) Summit. www.gladstein.org

 About the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo

ACT Expo is North America’s largest clean vehicle event, representing all weight classes and alternative fuels—including electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas, propane autogas, renewable fuels, and advanced technologies. The eighth-year conference and expo is set for April 30—May 3, 2018 in Long Beach, California and is expected to assemble thousands of attendees from across the advanced vehicle and alternative fuels industries. The annual event is produced by Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), the leading North American consulting firm specializing in market development for low-emission and alternative fuel vehicle technologies, infrastructure and fuels for both on and off-road applications. Learn more at www.actexpo.com and www.gladstein.org