Electric Vehicles – Utility Fleet Professional

CPS Energy Makes a Big Push into Truck Electrification

Written by Sean M. Lyden on July 17, 2018. Posted in Fleet Profiles.

In recent years, the pickup truck market has been considered by many in the utility industry as the “holy grail” for fleet electrification.

That’s because pickups comprise the most significant percentage of many utility fleets. So, the more of those trucks you can switch to plug-in electric powertrains – whether all-electric or hybrid – the greater the impact you can make in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

But the challenge with electrifying pickup trucks has been cost, making it difficult for utility fleets to come up with a compelling business case to invest aggressively in the technology.

That is, until recently. As battery prices continue to plummet and the business case becomes more attractive, some utility fleets are taking a more aggressive stance with their fleet electrification efforts.

Take, for example, San Antonio-based CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned natural gas and electric company.

In April, CPS Energy announced the purchase of 34 plug-in hybrid electric Ford F-150 pickup trucks, which, according to XL (www.xlfleet.com) – a provider of connected vehicle electrification systems for commercial and municipal fleets – represents the largest purchase of plug-in hybrid F-150s by any utility or private company to date and the first in Texas to use the vehicles.

The vehicles are equipped with plug-in hybrid technology by XL, which enables the trucks to run on both gasoline and electric power. In addition to plug-in charging capabilities, the XL technology also uses regenerative braking during deceleration to charge the battery pack and electric assist during acceleration to increase fuel economy.

“Aside from cutting emissions, these vehicles will improve fuel economy and reduce costs – a big win for our community,” said John Courage, San Antonio District 9 councilman, in the CPS Energy press release announcing the truck purchases. “Investing in cleaner vehicles and seeking new green technologies are critical to improving air quality in San Antonio.”

So, what expectations does CPS Energy have for these new vehicles? What fleet applications will they be used for? And how do the trucks fit within the utility’s overall green fleet initiatives?

UFP spoke with Fred Bonewell, chief safety and security officer for CPS Energy, to learn more.

Lower Costs, Cleaner Environment
The 34 new hybrid pickups bring the utility’s total electrified fleet to 50 vehicles; this number also includes sedans and bucket trucks. And although 50 vehicles are a small percentage of the fleet’s 2,000 assets to date, they represent the company’s increasing commitment to building a greener fleet, Bonewell said.

“We’ve adopted a mindset at CPS Energy that we want to be leaders in a lot of different areas, and fleet electrification is one of them,” he explained. “It’s not anything we take lightly, so we didn’t take a soft-shoe approach with this recent investment. This was a hard step in the right direction, and it’s going to be one of many steps we are going to take toward this initiative to get to a greener fleet.”

What fleet applications are the new hybrid pickup trucks being used for?

“Those trucks are spread out among our organization to include facilities, and our distribution and transmission engineering departments,” Bonewell said. “And some of the trucks will be driven by our safety and security team.”

Bonewell said the utility expects the new hybrid trucks to offer more than 50 percent better fuel economy and a comparable reduction in emissions over similar standard vehicles.

The impact?

CPS Energy estimates that the new trucks will yield a reduction of 7.75 tons in NOx emissions and 58.7 tons of CO₂ emissions.

“And this is just the beginning,” Bonewell said. “One-third of our fleet is made up of bucket trucks. So, as we get more bucket trucks that operate with electric booms, the fleetwide cost savings and emissions reductions numbers will really become impressive.”

As of press time, CPS Energy owns three bucket trucks with electric-powered booms used for trouble truck applications.

“We have bucket trucks that are 17 years old, so we still need to do a lot more to bring to our fleet cleaner types of fuel options because our environment is doing nothing but deteriorating as we speak,” Bonewell said. “As a utility company – and fleet – we can help do something about that.”

And the fleet industry has taken notice of CPS Energy’s commitment to fleet sustainability, among the utility’s other fleet initiatives. At the NAFA Institute & Expo in April, for example, CPS Energy learned that it had made the list of The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas for 2018, ranking 24th out of 38,000 public fleets in North America.

Electrification to Drive Safety
Bonewell also said that there’s a safety component behind the business case for fleet electrification that is important to CPS Energy.

“Even if you take out the carbon emissions piece and the fuel-savings factor, you’ve still eliminated a significant element related to risk exposure – the potential for fire,” he said. “That’s because, especially with bucket trucks, when you take out having to run an engine to operate the boom, you’ve significantly reduced your risk factor from a flammability perspective. And that’s especially the case when you can remove the hydraulics from the boom. I’ve been in this industry for a long time and witnessed a couple of different accidents in my career – not here at CPS Energy – where the hydraulic fluid became electrified and resulted in a fire that was catastrophic. When you think about it, when a truck catches on fire, it doesn’t just expose the operator to risk, it can put the public at large in harm’s way, too.”

The Bottom Line
While the business case for truck electrification has become more compelling, the primary driver for CPS Energy’s recent hybrid truck purchases is to demonstrate to the San Antonio community that the utility is committed to a cleaner environment.

“We really wanted to show, at a leadership level in our community and in the utility industry, that we care about the environment,” Bonewell said. “That’s first and foremost – that we’ll do everything we can to help improve the climate in which we live in here in San Antonio.”

What’s Accelerating Electric Vehicle Growth?

Written by Sean M. Lyden on December 8, 2017. Posted in Smart Fleets.

It wasn’t long ago that relatively low fuel prices put the brakes on momentum for alternative fuels. But electric vehicles (EVs) appear to be defying that trend, even as conventional fuel prices remain low.

Consider the recent headlines. Norway intends to ban the sale of new diesel- and gas-powered cars and trucks in favor of EVs by 2025. China is planning to follow suit by 2030, with France and the U.K. each setting their targets for 2040. And, as of press time, the state of California is considering its own ban on non-EVs, which could have a huge ripple effect throughout the U.S. market.

Then there are major automakers – beyond Tesla – pushing the pace toward electrification. In October, General Motors announced that it’s pursuing an “all-electric future,” with 20 new fully electric models to be launched by 2023. Volvo, Aston Martin and Land Rover have introduced similar plans.

And according to a recent report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, EVs could represent the majority – 54 percent – of new car sales by 2040.

So, what’s driving this momentum toward EVs? Here are three factors.

1. Battery cost continues to drop, while range increases.
The battery is the primary contributor to the price premium of EVs, but that’s starting to change – fast.

According to Bloomberg’s latest New Energy Finance report, lithium-ion battery prices have fallen 73 percent per kilowatt-hour since 2010, with that trend expected to continue until EVs become cheaper to buy than their fossil-fuel-powered counterparts by 2025 to 2029.

Lisa Jerram, principal research analyst with Navigant Research (www.navigantresearch.com), predicts a similar time frame. “As battery prices continue to drop, you get to a point – about 2024 – where some electric vehicle models become cost competitive with internal combustion engine cars without the [government] subsidies. And when you then factor in how much cheaper EVs are to run, you’ll really see this market taking off.”

As batteries drop in price, they also need to last longer for mainstream buyers to embrace EVs. Recent developments are making this possible, said Karl Popham, the head of emerging technologies and electric vehicles at Austin Energy (https://austinenergy.com), the nation’s eighth-largest publicly owned electric utility.

“We’re not only seeing major advancements in lithium-ion technology, we’re also starting to see some real disrupters in the market – a new chemistry, a new technology that could offer four times the [energy] density, really increasing the range,” Popham said. “We could see battery ranges of 400 to 500 miles in the not-too-distant future.”

2. EV charging infrastructure is readily available.
Why does electrification appear to be gaining traction in an era of low fuel prices, while other green fuel technologies, like compressed natural gas and propane autogas, seem to be hitting some resistance?

The answer lies in the wider availability and significantly lower cost of the “fueling” infrastructure, according to Popham.

“The fueling infrastructure for EVs is already there,” he said. “With those other fuels, it can be very expensive to build a sufficient number of fueling stations to adequately serve the market. But with EVs, drivers can simply plug into an existing standard electrical outlet, something over half of the cars in our territory do today to meet the majority of their charging needs.”

What about consumer resistance to changing behavior when it comes to remembering to charge their vehicles?

“Typically, I don’t hear a lot of complaints on plugging in,” Popham said. “Once they buy a car, it’s more like remembering to charge their cellphone. And even though in Austin we have over 600 Level 2 charging ports and growing, over 85 percent of EV charging is still done at home, behind their existing meter.”

3. Electrification is expanding into the truck segment.
One of the challenges of electrifying this segment has been that trucks typically require bigger, more powerful batteries, putting the price tag out of reach for most consumer and fleet buyers alike. But now, as battery range improves and costs continue to drop, a growing number of OEMs and third-party companies have begun offering more affordable electric-drive systems for trucks.

Consider these developments from just the past few months.

In May, Workhorse (http://workhorse.com/pickup/) unveiled its plug-in electric W-15 pickup that’s expected to be available in 2018.
In August, Chanje Energy (www.chanje.us), a Los Angeles-based manufacturer of electric commercial vehicles, unveiled its new electric delivery van that, as of press time, is expected to be available by the end of 2017.
In September, Boston-based XL Hybrids (www.xlhybrids.com) introduced the first-ever hybrid-electric upfit for Ford F-250 pickups and chassis for commercial fleets.
At the Tokyo Motor Show in October, Daimler Trucks (www.daimler.com) unveiled its all-electric heavy-duty E-FUSO Vision One with a range of up to 350 kilometers (217 miles).
Tesla (www.tesla.com) CEO Elon Musk said the automaker will introduce its all-electric semitruck before the end of the year.

The Bottom Line
Momentum is building for EVs, which will give you more electrified options to consider for your fleet in the coming months and years, so continue to watch this space.

The State of Electrified Pickup Trucks in the North American Market

Written by Sean M. Lyden on February 20, 2017. Posted in Smart Fleets.

While a growing number of utility fleets are purchasing electrified passenger cars – like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf – and bucket trucks with plug-in electric power takeoff capabilities, one vehicle segment still seems out of reach for electrification for most fleets: light-duty pickup trucks.

But there have been some new developments in this space that could have important implications for utility fleets. Workhorse Group says that it will unveil a concept electric truck this May at the ACT Expo in Long Beach, Calif. Earlier this year, Ford announced that it would offer a plug-in hybrid-electric version of the F-150 pickup. And XL Hybrids recently introduced a plug-in hybrid system designed for half-ton pickups.

So, what exactly are the prospects for electrified pickup trucks in North America? What are some of the key challenges to widespread fleet adoption? And when can we expect electrified pickups to become more cost-competitive with conventional-fueled trucks?

UFP recently spoke with Scott Shepard, senior research analyst with global market research and consulting firm Navigant Research (www.navigantresearch.com), to get his outlook.

UFP: Usually when fuel prices are low, there’s less interest in alternative-fuel vehicles. But we’re seeing a different trend with EVs, when you consider that about 400,000 people have paid deposits for the upcoming Tesla Model 3 and there’s a lot of buzz around the new Chevrolet Bolt and other electric passenger vehicles. On a macro level, what do you think is driving this interest in EVs despite current fuel prices?

Scott Shepard: With plug-in vehicles, the plug allows some conveniences that the conventional vehicle cannot allow – meaning that, with plug-in hybrids, you don’t have to go to the gas station that much anymore. Whether it saves you money or not, you can do most of your refueling at home. Therefore, electric vehicles are able to sidestep that whole refueling aspect.

Also, you can get some cheap electricity rates, depending on what utility service territory you’re in and how your vehicle is aggregated in the demand response program. That’s not for a majority of the market, but there is the potential there to make your energy costs so low that lower gas prices don’t register for you.

UFP: Yet in the pickup truck segment, electrification seems to be hitting a wall. Why is that?

SS: When you do the math on pickup trucks, the battery price point that would make the plug-in hybrid or the battery-electric-powered truck competitive against a conventional competitor is still below where battery prices are today.

The price points we look at suggest that you’re really not going to be within a competitive range within a few more years. When we plot out where the current technologies stand against each other, the plug-in hybrid truck and the battery-electric-powered truck have certain capability requirements that require stronger or more energy-dense batteries or larger batteries. They not only need to get you the range that you would expect from an electric passenger car, but you need to have that range competitive with your standard truck – to get to 200 to 300 miles. It’s a big cost, and it’s not easily overcome yet.

UFP: When do you see the price point of plug-in electric pickups becoming more acceptable for wider-spread adoption in utility fleets?

SS: I don’t see anything coming to the market really in the next two to three years, and even that is maybe a little bit aggressive to say three years. The reason is that whenever anyone comes to the market with an idea or a prototype that is a digital rendering, I add about three years to that expected deployment date. It takes a long time for these ideas to actually find good footing.

For these trucks to become more mainstream, it’s not going to start for a while. The rationale behind that is largely the added-on power and range requirements that these vehicles have to meet to even come to market. That doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. I think you’re looking out to 2025 or even 2030 before you get to the point where batteries are providing the same number of miles as an internal combustion engine. Then you’ve hit the point where this option is actually viable.

At Navigant, we estimate 2016 light truck/SUV-class PHEV sales in North America were 11,500, with sales looking to double in 2017, 2018 and 2019. And our baseline projection places this class/technology sales figure at just under 300,000 by 2025.

UFP: In his “Master Plan, Part Deux,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote that Tesla was going to include an electric pickup in their product mix. What are your thoughts on that?

SS: Given their timeline for new vehicle development, I would estimate that product would be about six to seven years out. [The pickup truck segment] is definitely a market that needs a vehicle – it represents nearly 30 percent of the U.S. market. So even if you’re just scratching the surface of this market, that’s huge. And nobody’s really figured out the right way to do it yet.

I think the right way to do it is probably to do it through some plug-in hybrid arrangement. And I think that’s going to come eventually from one of the established OEMs, like GM or Ford, maybe even Chrysler. Yes, if Tesla does it, that’s great. But I don’t think they’ll see near the amount of success that they’ve seen with their other vehicles.

Could Cutting the Cord Accelerate Electric Vehicle Growth?

Written by Sean M. Lyden on November 29, 2016. Posted in Smart Fleets.

If your fleet operates plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) – or is planning to do so – there’s an emerging technology you’ll want to put on your radar that could impact your vehicle selection and charging infrastructure decisions within the next year or two.

It’s wireless EV charging, which proponents believe holds the key to widespread transportation electrification.

That’s because one of the friction points of operating EVs is the inconvenience of charging with a conventional cord and plug-in system, said David Schatz, vice president of business development and sales for WiTricity (http://witricity.com), a firm that develops wireless charging systems for EVs, headquartered in Watertown, Mass.

Schatz cites a major automaker’s internal study that found that 70 percent of all plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) owners never plug in and opt for fueling only with gas because of the “inconvenience” of plugging in their vehicle.

The idea here is that if you cut the cord, you make EV charging more acceptable to a larger market because you’re not forcing users to change their behavior. “PHEV and EV drivers simply park over a charging pad in their garage, or at work, or at a shopping center and charge up with no hands, no effort,” Schatz said.

Wireless charging uses electromagnetic induction to transfer energy from the primary coil – that’s encased in a pad on the garage floor or ground surface of a parking area – to a secondary coil that’s installed on the vehicle’s undercarriage. When the vehicle is parked in the proper position – with the secondary coil directly over the primary coil – an indicator light goes on and charging begins.

Most major automakers are developing wireless EV charging systems, with a few of the OEMs introducing wireless capabilities in the next year or so, including Mercedes with the S550e plug-in hybrid and BMW with the i3 electric vehicle and i8 plug-in hybrid. Evatran LLC (www.pluglesspower.com) has been selling its Plugless Level 2, a retrofit wireless charging system available for Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR.

Experts Peer Into Their Crystal Ball
So, what developments can we expect in wireless EV charging in the next five years? How will it impact growth in the EV market? UFP reached out to industry experts to get their outlook.

“In the next few years, we should see the rollout of wireless charging as an option for plug-in vehicles,” said Lisa Jerram, principal research analyst for Navigant Research (www.navigant.com). “I think it’ll be more widespread among the premium [plug-in electric vehicles], but it will be available from other OEMs as well. We’ll also see it being tested in controlled fleet applications. In five years, that could grow to fleet operation in city centers, perhaps electric taxi or rideshare programs. I don’t anticipate it becoming a huge part of the market within five years, but we should see a growing push to use it in electrified urban fleets.”

Andrew Daga is president and chief executive officer at Momentum Dynamics Corp. (www.momentumdynamics.com), based in Malvern, Pa. The company has developed a technology that provides “dynamic charging,” which is currently being tested on a couple municipal electric bus fleets, where vehicles can be recharged wirelessly while they’re in motion or stopped briefly at each stop on the route.

Daga’s outlook: “Every EV produced in the passenger vehicle space will have inductive [wireless] charging technology built in at the production line [in the next five years]. This is not a crystal ball view, it is what we see clearly. We envision that wireless charging is the key to enabling technology that will allow all types of vehicles to become electric, and that it will cause an S-curve adoption acceleration of EVs when fueling becomes an automated background operation. Drivers and fleet operators will not need to think about fueling; it will simply happen. Wireless does for charging what E-ZPass electronic toll collection has done for collecting tolls.”

John Boodhansingh is senior director of product management for Qualcomm (www.qualcomm.com/products/halo), which has developed the Halo Wireless EV Charging (WEVC) system for a number of automakers, including Daimler AG with its upcoming 2018 Mercedes S550e.

“The future of wireless EV charging is bright in the next five years,” Boodhansingh said. “Many automakers have committed to include WEVC, and the number of models that will have WEVC is increasing. And as that increases, that will, in turn, drive the installation of more charging infrastructure for WEVC. At Qualcomm, we view wireless charging as an enabler for the growth of the EV market because it allows drivers to easily and effortlessly charge at home, at work and when visiting retailers. The availability of effortless charging can also help reduce range anxiety because drivers can top off frequently and don’t have to worry about making it to their destination.”

Schatz with WiTricity predicted: “Over the next three years we will first see wireless charging introduced for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, charging at the 3.6-kilowatt level, so the PHEV can be fully charged in just two to four hours. Then we will see electric vehicles in 2018 and 2019 charging at 7.7-kilowatt and 11-kilowatt charge rates, and by 2020 we expect nearly every global carmaker to have introduced or announced vehicles equipped with wireless charging. Wireless charging will mainly be installed in private garages and at fleet depots. But once standardization is achieved [where chargers are compatible across any make and model vehicle], we will see wireless charging parking spots at company parking lots, retail parking lots and other public parking locations.”

The Bottom Line
A lot is expected to happen in wireless EV charging over the next few years that could impact your purchase decisions with electric vehicles and your investments in on-site charging infrastructure. So, stay tuned.

Utilities Push Toward Fleet Electrification

Written by Sean M. Lyden on July 30, 2015. Posted in Special Focus.

Despite the recent trend toward lower fuel prices, vehicle electrification is a hot topic right now among utility fleets, as highlighted at the recent Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) held in Williamsburg, Va. The Edison Electric Institute (EEI), an association of investor-owned utilities, is leading the electrification effort and, according to some fleet managers we spoke to at the conference, many public utilities are following suit.

The EUFMC general session opened with a keynote address delivered by Jim Piro, president and CEO of Portland General Electric, who said that from the utility CEO perspective, expanding the electric vehicle (EV) market is a strategic initiative to increase demand for a specific utility product – electricity.

Piro went on to say that the challenge for electric utilities is slow growth in retail loads. If this trend doesn’t change, utilities may be forced to ask regulators for a rate increase, and such requests usually don’t go over well with the public. So, how can utilities increase retail demand and keep rates affordable?

The solution, Piro said, is to promote transportation electrification.

EEI Electrification Initiative
EEI announced its transportation electrification initiative in November 2014, during a White House event with U.S. Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz and former Counselor to the President John Podesta. According to Piro, who also sits on the EEI transportation electrification committee, the initiative seeks to achieve these four objectives:

1. Increase commitment to fleet electrification.
To date, more than 70 investor-owned electric utilities have committed to devote at least 5 percent of their total annual fleet acquisition budgets to the purchase of plug-in EVs and technologies.

2. Support employee adoption programs.
Provide incentives for employees to own EVs – such as preferred parking spots and employee purchase programs – and they will become enthusiastic ambassadors for vehicle electrification to their friends, family and the public.

3. Expand customer outreach.
Be a resource to customers. For example, help them run load/cost analysis to determine whether EVs make financial sense for their applications.

4. Build an affordable plug-in hybrid electric pickup truck.
Pickup trucks represent the largest vehicle segment among utility fleets, but the cost of plug-in hybrid electric pickups trucks is still too high for widespread fleet adoption. To make a significant dent in utility fleet electrification, truck OEMs and EV technology providers must develop breakthroughs that make those vehicles more affordable.

Piro is a strong proponent of fleet electrification because he believes EVs can simply make good business sense for the utility industry, not to mention the EV market is quickly evolving. He said he personally owns a 2011 Chevrolet Volt that he estimates has saved him $1,200 in annual fuel and maintenance costs over the past four years.

The Data
During his EUFMC presentation titled “Fleet Electrification: Utilities Leading the Charge,” Kellen Schefter, manager of sustainable technology for EEI, provided some interesting data about the state of plug-in EVs in today’s utility fleets.

Following is the overall vehicle distribution by class for investor-owned fleets:
• Class 1-3 trucks: 48 percent
• Class 7-8 trucks: 18 percent
• General equipment: 16 percent
• Class 4-6 trucks: 14 percent
• Passenger cars: 5 percent

And here is the plug-in vehicle penetration to date for those investor-owned fleets:
• General equipment: 10 percent
• Passenger cars: 9.2 percent
• Class 4-6 trucks (ePTO): 4.5 percent
• Class 7-8 trucks: 2.8 percent
• Class 1-3 trucks: 0.3 percent

The total plug-in vehicle penetration rate across all vehicle segments in those utility fleets is 3.3 percent.

Analysis
Notice from these numbers that there is a mismatch of fleet allocation and plug-in penetration. For example, at 48 percent, Class 1-3 trucks – light-duty pickups and vans – represent the largest vehicle segment of the investor-owned utility fleet, but that segment also represents the smallest number of plug-in vehicles at 0.3 percent. Passenger cars are the smallest vehicle segment at 5 percent but have the second-highest plug-in penetration rate at 9.2 percent.

The bottom line is that while utility fleets are currently buying more Chevrolet Volts, Nissan Leafs and similar vehicles, those purchases don’t make as much of an impact on the overall plug-in penetration rate because cars make up such a small percentage of a utility’s fleet.

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Opportunities
Medium- and heavy-duty truck segments – Class 4-6 and 7-8, respectively – are areas of opportunity that have experienced recent growth. Combined, they make up 32 percent of investor-owned fleets, with a combined plug-in penetration rate of 7.3 percent.

The growth in electrified medium- and heavy-duty trucks is driven by the increased fleet adoption of hybrid-electric ePTO technologies. The key players serving this space are Odyne (www.odyne.com), Efficient Drivetrains Inc. (www.efficientdrivetrains.com) and Altec’s Jobsite Energy Management System, or JEMS (www.altec.com/products/green-fleet). Current generation systems enable operators to run booms on battery power for about six hours. This saves significant money in fuel and maintenance costs by eliminating idle.

However, battery cost, weight – which impacts payload capacity – and size – which limits bin space – are still concerns that constrain wider fleet adoption. According to EEI’s transportation electrification white paper (available at www.eei.org/issuesandpolicy/electrictransportation/fleetvehicles/documents/eei_utilityfleetsleadingthecharge.pdf), the incremental cost for Altec’s JEMS is $24,300 on a Class 5 first-responder vehicle and $65,000 on a Class 7 large crew truck. But the trend toward slimmer, higher-output battery technology will drive lower cost and higher fleet adoption.

Even with the current high incremental cost, the reduction of idle time offers a compelling business case for plug-in technologies in aerial truck applications.

The Holy Grail for Plug-In Growth
The light-duty pickup is the largest vehicle segment for utility fleets, so it offers the biggest opportunity for plug-in growth. However, limited availability of affordable plug-in technology has made this segment a hard nut to crack.

The key player in this market is VIA Motors (www.viamotors.com), which offers a Class 2 pickup plug-in hybrid system equipped with a GM 4.3-liter V-6 engine and four-wheel drive. It gets about 40 miles in all-electric mode before activating the gasoline engine. According to Mark Kosowski, technical executive for Electric Power Research Institute, in his EUFMC presentation titled “Plug-In Hybrid Medium-Duty Truck Demonstration and Evaluation Program,” the VIA pickup achieves a fuel economy equivalent – in terms of relative fuel cost versus charge cost – of 127 mpg.

But the VIA truck comes with a very steep price tag. The EEI white paper pegged the purchase price of a VIA pickup in 2014 at about $75,000. As a frame of reference, a comparable gas-only truck costs under $30,000.

The key question here is, what are the light-duty truck OEMs doing in this space? GM has built a hybrid truck but not with plug-in technology. Are the major automakers pursuing factory-equipped plug-in hybrid truck offerings?

There’s been talk of Tesla building a pickup truck, but the company’s limited distribution and service network may not adequately be able to serve the fleet market. If there is an OEM who can get the e-truck technology to market the quickest, however, you have to imagine it would be Tesla.

This will be an interesting space to watch in the near future.

Preventive Maintenance and the Electric Vehicle

Written by Cheryl Knight on May 25, 2015. Posted in Smart Fleets.

In an effort to reduce fuel costs, extend replacement cycles and lower greenhouse gas emissions, an increasing number of utility fleets now operate electric vehicles (EVs). In fact, in November 2014, the White House and Edison Electric Institute announced that more than 70 U.S. electric utility companies have plans to devote at least 5 percent of their fleet acquisition budgets to buying plug-in EVs and related technology. Their investments will total approximately $50 million each year.

With fewer moving parts and less reliance on oil to lubricate and help cool the engine parts that do move, EVs represent a sound investment, over time, for many utility fleets. In addition to lower fuel costs and fewer emissions, others benefits of operating EVs include reduced noise levels, exportable power and lower total cost of ownership.

“While you pay more for a plug-in, the overall cost of ownership is significantly lower,” said David Meisel, senior director of transportation and aviation services at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), explaining that payback for the company’s fleet usually ranges from two to seven years. “For our bucket trucks, we’re looking at paybacks in 24 to 30 months. Some of our light-duty applications pay back in five years or less. And some of our pickup trucks see payback in seven years.”

All Maintenance Programs Are Not Equal
By developing an effective preventive maintenance plan and sticking to it, companies can expect longer life for the EVs in their fleets. This means fleet managers do not have to replace vehicles as often, generating even more savings when added to the decreased costs of operating EVs. In addition to a great return on investment, companies that operate EVs can lower their environmental footprints as well.

But should maintenance schedules for EVs be the same as their gas and diesel counterparts, and how can you adequately protect and ensure the long life of your EV fleet?

The PG&E fleet operates about 1,400 EVs out of a total fleet of 14,000. The fleet’s EVs range from Chevy Volts to Ford Fusions to GMC Sierras, among many others. According to Meisel, the key to an effective EV maintenance program is to recognize that all EVs are not equal – they are application specific. So, maintenance schedules must be unique for EVs.

“If fleet managers don’t treat them differently, they are missing out on a big opportunity,” Meisel explained. “If they run the same preventive maintenance program for EVs as their other vehicles, they are leaving a tremendous amount of money on the table and forgoing the benefits of electrification.”

Preventive Maintenance Best Practices for Utility EVs
Unlike traditional internal combustion vehicles, EVs rely on electricity to power the various systems that make them go. But because EVs still use some moving parts, effective maintenance can help keep them in proper working order. This means that, in addition to any lubricants and other fluids associated with traditional vehicle maintenance, fleet managers should also design schedules centered on maintaining the vital electric components of an EV’s drivetrain. And of course, fleet managers should follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for best results.

Training mechanics also is critical to the preventive maintenance process, not only to keep parts properly maintained, but to ensure the safety of all personnel. “The voltage on these vehicles can kill. It’s very important that those who work on them are specially trained,” Meisel said. “We train all our mechanics on high-voltage EV systems because safety is first and foremost.”

As far as set maintenance schedules for EVs, in PG&E’s case the EV components essentially are worry-free, with a few more connections to look at and possible wear on lines. And according to Meisel, fleet management has drastically extended its preventive maintenance in many areas, including oil changes and brake work. “The maintenance intervals are significantly longer because of the durability of the systems,” he said.

Meisel pointed out that it is best practice to adhere to regular preventive maintenance schedules even though EVs do not require as much maintenance as their gas and diesel counterparts. “For our electric vehicles, we are finding that we can drastically extend our preventive maintenance. For instance, for some vehicles we do oil changes only once per year; for others, every 15 years. Not because they need it, but because it’s time.”

PG&E’s fleet management is also finding that EVs used in urban areas are seeing brakes lasting two to three times longer, thanks to regenerative braking. “Our maintenance work on our brakes has dropped drastically,” Meisel explained.

He summed up PG&E’s experience with EV maintenance by stating, “Our experience is that EVs are extremely bulletproof from a maintenance perspective.”

About the Author: Cheryl Knight has written for the fleet industry for more than 20 years. Her work has appeared in Automotive Fleet, Fleet Financials, Government Fleet and a number of other niche-market publications.

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Learn More
In June 2014, Edison Electric Institute published “Transportation Electrification: Utility Fleets Leading the Charge,” which provides a wealth of information about the benefits of electrification, vehicle technology, total cost of ownership and much more. A copy of the white paper can be found at www.eei.org/issuesandpolicy/electrictransportation/FleetVehicles/Documents/EEI_UtilityFleetsLeadingTheCharge.pdf.

The Rise of ePTO Systems for Utility Trucks

Written by Sean M. Lyden on February 19, 2015. Posted in Technology.

When it comes to electric vehicles (EV), what usually garners headlines are consumer cars, like the Toyota Prius, Nissan LEAF and the eye-catching Tesla Model S sport sedan. But the future expansion of the EV market will likely be driven by commercial fleets, including electric utility companies, which are stepping up investments in all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.

In November 2014, the White House and Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, announced that more than 70 electric utility companies have committed at least 5 percent of their annual fleet acquisition budgets to purchasing plug-in EVs and technologies. This adds up to total investments of approximately $50 million per year, or $250 million over five years, starting in 2015.

According to the White House’s “Fact Sheet: Growing the United States Electric Vehicle Market” (www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/18/fact-sheet-growing-united-states-electric-vehicle-market), the utility companies expect to meet the 5 percent commitment by purchasing a variety of technologies, from electric passenger cars to medium- and heavy-duty work trucks with electric power take-off (ePTO) systems that power a truck’s onboard equipment – such as aerial platforms and digger derricks – without the need to run the engine.

Traditionally, the power take-off system, which is mounted to the truck’s transmission, redirects engine power to operate onboard equipment. But when you consider that engine idle burns as much as 1 gallon of fuel per hour, a bucket truck that might idle several hours per day wastes a lot of fuel and creates excessive toxic emissions.

That’s why a growing number of utility companies, like Pacific Gas and Electric Co., are expanding their fleets of hybrid-electric trucks equipped with ePTO systems to reduce fuel costs and their carbon footprint. PG&E recently unveiled its plug-in hybrid electric drivetrain Class 5 bucket truck, developed in partnership with Efficient Drivetrains Inc. (EDI) and Altec Industries. The truck features up to 40 miles of all-electric driving and ePTO capabilities that electrify all onboard equipment including the boom, eliminating the need for engine idle at job sites.

PG&E estimates that each plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will reduce emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional fuel vehicles and will save the utility more than 850 gallons of fuel per year.

Utility equipment manufacturers Altec Industries (www.altec.com) and Terex Corp. (www.terex.com) both offer hybrid-electric systems with ePTO capabilities for customers.

Dubbed JEMS – for Jobsite Energy Management System – Altec’s hybrid-electric system uses stored electrical energy to power the onboard boom and other equipment, provide exportable power, and generate in-cab heating and cooling, without engine idle. The system’s batteries are charged by plugging into shore power or by operating the truck’s internal combustion engine.

Terex’s hybrid-electric system, called HyPower, also features a plug-in ePTO, harnessing stored energy from rechargeable batteries to power aerial devices and onboard equipment for up to six hours before needing to be recharged. According to the company’s website, Terex estimates that the HyPower saves utility fleets up to 1,500 gallons of fuel per year, based on 7,000 miles and 1,250 job site hours per year.

As utility companies increase their investment in hybrid-electric trucks, they will provide a credible proof of concept about the capabilities of plug-in technologies, setting a compelling example to their commercial fleet customers to follow their lead.

For deeper research, check out “Transportation Electrification: Utility Fleets Leading the Charge” (www.eei.org/issuesandpolicy/electrictransportation/FleetVehicles/Documents/EEI_UtilityFleetsLeadingTheCharge.pdf), a white paper produced by Edison Electric Institute.

Electric Vehicle News

Written by Seth Skydel on October 6, 2014. Posted in Smart Fleets.

Support Grows for EEI White Paper on Utility Fleets and Electrification
As part of an effort to advance sustainability through fleet adoption of electric vehicles, the Edison Electric Institute has released a white paper, “Transportation Electrification: Utility Fleets Leading the Charge,” that focuses on the electric power industry’s effort to accelerate the expansion of electric transportation in commercial and retail markets, beginning with electric utility fleets.

Written by EEI’s Fleet Electrification Steering Committee comprised of utility fleet directors from across the country, the paper encourages investor-owned electric utilities to meet an industry-wide goal to spend at least 5 percent of annual fleet acquisition budgets on plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and technologies. According to the paper, electrification of the transportation sector is a potential quadruple win for electric utilities and society, potentially enabling electric utilities to support environmental goals, build customer satisfaction, reduce operating costs and assure the future value of existing assets.

The EEI white paper elaborates on the business case for utility fleet electrification as well as the full range of PEVs available for adoption in fleets. It shows that electrification of large utility fleets offers benefits that range from lower operating costs from fuel and maintenance, to extended vehicle life based on their mechanical simplicity, as well as reduced carbon footprint and toxic emissions.

“The electric power industry is a tremendous leader in supporting electric transportation, but we must continue to strengthen our efforts and lead by example,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “One way we can do that is by leveraging our industry’s buying power to purchase more PEVs for our fleets. The white paper is a road map for a long-term, coordinated effort to further spur the development of electric vehicle technologies in the transportation market.”

The NAFA Fleet Management Association extended its support to EEI. “This year, NAFA introduced the Sustainable Fleet Standard Program to our membership, and we are in the final stages of its beta phase,” said NAFA President Claude A. Masters, manager, acquisition and fuel at Florida Power & Light. “While NAFA has a fuel-neutral philosophy, the association recognizes that electric vehicles will be a major player in how fleets will reach carbon footprint goals.”

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. also joined with EEI to urge utilities to more than double their current investment in electric utility fleet vehicles. Over the past five years, PG&E noted, the industry has invested approximately $85 million incorporating PEV technologies into utility fleets, or about 1.7 percent of overall utility fleet spending. PG&E and EEI are calling on companies to raise that investment to 5 percent of their total fleet investment, or approximately $1 billion, starting next year.

“Expanding the use of plug-in technologies is one of the most important opportunities we have as a country to continue diversifying our energy usage and achieve our clean energy goals,” said PG&E Chairman and CEO Tony Earley. “Electrifying our fleets is about showing consumers that plug-in technology is thriving and delivers real benefits that make sense for us and our customers.”

PG&E operates the nation’s largest fleet of alternative fuel vehicles and tops the industry with 14 percent of its fleet investment dedicated to plug-in technologies. PG&E’s PEV technology includes electric power-takeoff systems on the utility’s bucket trucks. This technology allows crews to operate all onboard equipment, including the aerial device and auxiliary systems, via a series of batteries, eliminating the need to idle the trucks at work sites. In addition, last year PG&E acquired the utility industry’s first plug-in electric Class 5 utility work trucks from Electric Vehicles International.

“Our experience has confirmed that the business case for fleet electrification is solid,” said Dave Meisel, senior director of transportation services for PG&E. “We are seeing full payback on the increased initial investment in less than five years in most cases. In addition to the fuel savings, we’re seeing dramatically lower vehicle emissions and a better on-the-job experience for our crews.”

EEI has also formed an Electrification Task Force designed to provide technical expertise and share industry best practices and case studies from utilities that have emerged as leaders in fleet electrification. Visit www.eei.org.

Volt Surpasses Half a Billion Electric Miles
Since its launch in late 2010, Chevrolet Volts have traveled more than half a billion all-electric miles. Additionally, based on a General Motors study of more than 300 Volts in service in California for more than 30 months, many users are exceeding the EPA rating of 35 miles of electric vehicle range per full charge, with about 15 percent surpassing 40 miles of range.

Volts that are charged regularly, according to GM, typically drive more than 970 miles between gasoline fill-ups. The 2014 Volt model provides fuel economy of EPA-estimated 98 MPGe (electric) and 35 city/40 highway on gasoline power. In an independent study conducted between July and December 2013, Volt drivers who participated in the Department of Energy’s EV Project managed by Idaho National Labs totaled 1,198,114 vehicle trips, of which 974,692 – or 81.4 percent – were completed without the gasoline-powered generator being used. Visit www.chevrolet.com.

HYBRID NEWS

Understanding PHEV Options
Joe Dalum, president and CEO of Odyne Systems, a manufacturer of hybrid systems for medium- and heavy-duty work trucks, delivered a presentation explaining plug-in electric vehicle technology options for truck fleets at Plug-In 2014 in San Jose, Calif. Dalum’s presentation discussed the medium- and heavy-duty truck market, fleet strategy, vehicle duty cycles and how to select the best plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) solution.

During his presentation, Dalum stressed the importance of duty cycle data acquisition and analysis for determining if a PHEV system is a good fit for a fleet’s vehicle use strategy. He discussed the Green Truck Association’s Hybrid Work Truck Payback Worksheet and other considerations such as EPAct credits, work site safety and ROI, along with factors for comparing hybrid, electric power-takeoff or PHEV solutions, including warranty, safety, performance and applications. Visit www.odyne.com.

DUECO Delivers to PECO
Philadelphia-based PECO, an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corp. that serves 1.6 million electric and more than 500,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania, has taken delivery of the first of 22 new Terex XT55 bucket trucks with Odyne hybrid power systems supplied by DUECO Inc., a provider of Terex Utilities and Terex Hi-Ranger products.

The 22 trucks are part of a 300-vehicle, $45.4-million U.S. Department of Energy, Electric Power Research Institute and South Coast Air Quality Management District of California award. Odyne is developing and deploying more than 120 plug-in hybrid systems for companies and governmental entities throughout North America as part of the program. The trucks delivered to PECO feature the capability to charge the hybrid batteries at the most opportune time, reducing charging costs and excess demand on the utility grid.

“We are proud to be the first utility in the United States to deploy this type of vehicle through the combined Department of Energy and Electric Power Research Institute initiative,” said PECO President and CEO Craig Adams. “In addition to our core mission of providing safe and reliable service to our customers, PECO and all of Exelon share a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the environment, and operating a sustainable fleet is a key component of our efforts.” Visit www.dueco.com.

Freightliner Hybrid-Electric Trucks Approved for Incentive Program
The Freightliner M2 106 diesel-electric hybrid truck has been approved for the New York Truck-Voucher Incentive Program (NYT-VIP). In partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York State Department of Transportation, New York City Department of Transportation and CALSTART, NYT-VIP provides $19 million in incentives for clean vehicle technologies. The goal of the program is to promote clean air and a sustainable future for New York’s transportation system by accelerating the integration of advanced vehicle technologies in the commercial truck and bus sectors.

“Freightliner M2 106 hybrid trucks are a smart solution featuring innovative technologies that maximize productivity while also benefiting the environment,” said Mary Aufdemberg, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks. “Customers who take advantage of the New York Truck-Voucher Incentive Program will realize even more efficiencies that will help lower their overall cost of ownership.”

The Freightliner M2 106 diesel-electric hybrid truck can be configured for a wide variety of bodies for different applications, including utility vehicles. Visit www.freightlinertrucks.com.

NATURAL GAS NEWS

PERC Creates One-Stop Source for Propane Technology News
The Propane Education & Research Council has launched a new website, propane.com, as a source for information about propane safety and newly developed propane-powered technology.

“Propane.com gives our industry a chance to showcase the versatility of propane, and the economic and environmental benefits of using this American-made fuel across top-performing markets,” said Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. “The consolidation also gives propane customers the opportunity to realize all the technologies available for businesses.”

Propane.com consolidates information from PERC’s previous sites, including autogasusa.org, agpropane.com, poweredbypropane.com and usepropane.com. Fleets can also use the site’s Find a Propane Retailer application to locate fuel providers by zip code and services provided. Visit www.propane.com.

Quantum Announces New CNG Storage System Orders
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide has received approximately $600,000 in purchase orders from the WheelTime network for its lightweight natural gas storage systems. Quantum has been the exclusive supplier of compressed natural gas storage systems for aftermarket system conversions to the WheelTime Network, comprised of 18 member companies with more than 180 installation and service locations nationwide. The latest orders expand the relationship to include system installs on new trucks at WheelTime locations. Under an arrangement that began more than two years ago, Quantum and WheelTime have been training and educating the network locations on installs, maintenance and service.

“We are excited to be expanding this relationship with additional orders and especially to include additional WheelTime members and locations,” said Brian Olson, president and CEO of Quantum. “We are working closely with WheelTime on setting up new locations with installation and service training and to provide turnkey system solutions. Our goal is to have this relationship reach all 50 states.”

Quantum also announced it has received its first CNG storage system order from a large Kenworth dealership network with offices in the U.S. and Canada. The purchase order is for Quantum’s frame-rail mounted Q-RailLITE CNG storage vessels. Quantum will train dealerships to install and service the CNG modules.

A newly expanded purchase order from Westport for CNG tanks has also been received by Quantum. “We are expanding our relationship with Westport after being identified as a key fuel storage supplier for their natural gas vehicle programs,” Olson said. Visit www.qtww.com.

Fueling Park Operations with Propane
Mammoth Cave National Park has received a donation of propane-powered off-road and stationary equipment from the Propane Education & Research Council. The donation totals more than $62,000 and includes three John Deere zero-turn mowers, two Generac portable generators and a CleanFUEL USA propane dispenser featuring eConnect, a fuel network management system for electronic dispensers. MCNP also operates eight propane autogas Bluebird school buses and two propane autogas ROUSH CleanTech Ford F-250 pickup trucks.

“We’ve been dedicated to integrating sustainable practices into park operations for many years,” said Russell Runge, MCNP acting superintendent. “PERC’s donation of propane equipment will continue to help us reach our sustainability goals. Not only do the donations help MCNP become more environmentally friendly and better monitor fuel usage, but they also advance the National Park Service’s Green Parks Plan aimed at reducing dependence on foreign oil, mitigating effects of climate change and conserving energy.”

MCNP’s efforts in sustainability began in the late 1990s when it partnered with the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, a Clean Cities Coalition partner. KCFC was instrumental in securing the donation of propane autogas buses. KCFC has been advocating for alternative fuel usage and supporting the National Park Service since the coalition was established in 1993. Visit www.propane.com.

CleanFUEL USA Liquid Propane Injection System Powers Freightliner Products
Full production has begun of two CleanFUEL USA liquid propane injection systems for Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. S2G medium-duty trucks and Thomas Built C2 school buses. The factory-installed propane autogas systems require no aftermarket modifications.

The FCCC S2G truck and the Thomas Built Saf-T-Liner C2 school bus with the propane systems are powered by an 8-liter engine from Powertrain Integration and are equipped with an Allison 2300 automatic transmission. The engine is rated at 495 pound-feet of torque at 3,100 rpm and 339 horsepower at 4,100 rpm. Visit www.cleanfuelusa.com.

PERC Promotes Clean Propane on Campus
The Propane Education & Research Council has joined the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education to encourage low-emissions propane equipment use in higher education. Through the association of colleges and universities, PERC will inform higher education institutions about the benefits of using clean, low-emissions propane equipment as part of their sustainability initiatives.

“Propane is the leading alternative fuel in the U.S. and helps thousands of businesses, fleets, contractors, and consumers meet their economic and environmental goals,” said Roy Willis, PERC CEO and president. “We want to help bring the same fuel-efficient technologies to campuses through equipment demonstrations, incentives, and educational programs that will help AASHE members significantly reduce their carbon footprint and save money.”

AASHE enables colleges and universities to meet their sustainability goals by providing specialized resources, professional development and a network for sharing information. Many AASHE resources are free to the public, and its programs help support the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. ACUPCC institutions sign a commitment promising to lead their institutions toward climate neutrality. There are more than 650 ACUPCC signatories and 800-plus AASHE members to date.

“AASHE counts on the support of many innovative organizations, such as PERC, to fulfill our mission of creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable planet, starting with college campuses,” said Stephanie A. Herrera, AASHE executive director. “AASHE business members support the sustainability movement by providing valuable products, services and resources to help move this vital community toward a better future.” Visit www.aashe.org.

Freightliner Trucks Adds to Natural Gas Options
The Cummins Westport ISX12 G heavy-duty natural gas engine will be available as a factory-installed option for the Freightliner 114SD severe-duty truck model in 2015. The 12-liter ISX12 G engine features ratings up to 400 horsepower and 1,450 pound-feet of torque, and operates on CNG or LNG. Factory-installed back-of-cab mounted CNG tanks are available in 60 and 75 diesel gallon equivalent configurations. The 114SD has been available with natural gas with the 9-liter Cummins Westport ISL G engine since 2011.

Freightliner’s commitment to green technologies is part of parent company Daimler AG’s global “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative. Launched in 2007, the initiative is focused on reducing criteria pollutants, carbon dioxide and fuel consumption through the utilization of clean, efficient drive systems including clean diesel and alternative fuels. Since 2008, Freightliner Trucks has sold more 3,500 natural gas-powered trucks and tractors. Visit www.freightlinertrucks.com.

Omnitek Receives EPA Approval for Mack Engine Conversions
Omnitek Engineering Corp. has received a Certificate of Conformity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for diesel-to-natural-gas engine conversions of all Mack E7 electronic engines up to model year 2006. The approval allows engine conversions to proceed in 49 states and covers 166 Mack E7 engine/model/power variations.

Omnitek will offer 100 percent dyno-tested “drop-in” ready converted engines, configured for quick installation. An assembly line engine remanufacturing/conversion process performed by the company’s strategic partner Reviva will assure that engines are in as-new condition. The Omnitek diesel-to-natural-gas converted Mack E7 engine produces 400 horsepower with low nitrogen oxide emissions of 0.14 gr/bhp-hr, per the EPA SET emissions test protocol, without the use of EGR.

“There is significant pent-up demand for converting Mack E7 diesel engines to natural gas,” said Werner Funk, president and CEO of Omnitek. “Diesel-to-natural-gas engine conversions are a viable and cost-effective option for fleets to transition to natural gas within a practical time frame.

“As engines are converted to use 100 percent natural gas, the payback on a diesel-to-natural-gas truck conversion can be as short as 16 months, including the cost for the engine, fuel storage system and installation labor,” Funk added. “This is a significant improvement compared to diesel dual fuel technology.” Visit www.omnitekcorp.com.

Peterbilt Offers New Natural Gas Powertrain Option
For several of its natural gas vehicles, Peterbilt Motors Co. is now offering an automated transmission and a natural gas engine that can be powered by CNG or LNG. The Eaton UltraShift PLUS and Cummins Westport ISX12 G are available for Peterbilt Models 579, 567, 384 and 365.

The Eaton UltraShift PLUS is available in the 13-speed MHP and 10-speed LAS series, and the 11.9-liter Cummins Westport ISX12 G is available up to 400 horsepower and 1,450 pound-feet of torque. Visit www.peterbilt.com.

Mack Trucks Offers Grant Application Assistance
To help customers maximize their return on investment, Mack Trucks announced it is now working with the Sustainability Initiatives Group to help dealers and customers navigate the grant process and obtain public funding for alternative fuel- and clean diesel-powered vehicles. SIG will maintain an up-to-date inventory of federal and state grant information, offer summaries on relevant grant opportunities, and assist in the grant application and writing process. Visit www.macktrucks.com.

CLEAN DIESEL NEWS

Clean Diesel Trucks Make Up 33 Percent of All Trucks on U.S. Highways
More than one-third of all medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks registered in the U.S.– 2.9 million of 8.8 million trucks – are now equipped with newer technology clean diesel engines, according to new data compiled by HIS Automotive for the Diesel Technology Forum (DTF). The new data includes registration information on Class 3-8 trucks from 2007 through 2013 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Beginning in 2007, all heavy-duty diesel trucks sold had to meet particulate emissions levels of no more than 0.01 grams per brake horsepower hour. Emissions from today’s diesel trucks and buses are near zero thanks to more efficient engines, more effective emissions control technology and the nationwide availability of ultralow sulfur diesel fuel, DTF noted. The new clean diesel technology has reduced emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides and 98 percent for particulate emissions. Visit www.dieselforum.org.

NAFA Requests Extension of Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), administered through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provides up to $100 million each year through 2016 for reducing emissions from existing diesel engines. The EPA announced that roughly $9 million is still available for agencies seeking to undergo clean diesel projects, including replacement, repower and retrofit initiatives.

Recently, NAFA Fleet Management Association CEO Phillip Russo reached out to leaders in Washington urging continued funding for the DERA. “Millions of older diesel engines are still in use by fleets,” Russo said. “Thankfully, emissions from these older engines may be controlled with the use of modern control technologies that reduce emissions. If funds are not allowed to be appropriated for DERA, the administration’s 2015 budget proposal will reduce DERA funding from the $20 million contained in the continuing resolution in fiscal year 2014 to zero in 2015. We believe that modest increases in funding for DERA can and must be achieved within the framework of the overall budget agreement approved by Congress late last year, and encourage you to support $30 million in funding for fiscal year 2015.” Visit www.nafa.org.

GREEN EVENTS

Green Truck Summit & The Work Truck Show 2015
March 3-6
Indiana Convention Center
Indianapolis
www.ntea.com/worktruckshow

Green News

Written by Seth Skydel on August 7, 2014. Posted in Smart Fleets.

ACT Expo Highlights
Nearly 200 alternative fuel and clean transportation industry leaders were on hand at the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in May to present information on key advancements in alternative fuels and clean vehicles, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas, propane autogas, clean diesel and renewable fuels technologies.

The 2014 ACT Expo, co-located with the NGV Global conference, also provided off-site technical tours of local alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure projects; fueling, equipment, technology and vehicle displays; and a ride-and-drive with the latest light-, medium-, and heavy-duty alternative fuel and clean technology vehicles. More than 175 suppliers of alternative fuels and clean vehicle technologies sponsored the joint conferences.

A record number of propane autogas exhibitors, including propane autogas retailers and original equipment manufacturers, presented their latest solutions at ACT Expo. Included were Alliance AutoGas, CleanFUEL USA, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp., Icom, Isuzu, New Eagle, Power Solutions International, Powertrain Integration and ROUSH CleanTech.

At the Propane Education & Research Council display, a ROUSH CleanTech E-450 transit shuttle bus and the newly released MT45 strip chassis from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. were on display. PERC also showcased new flat-tank fuel storage technology from Propane Performance Industries, an Exmark Lazer Z S-Series propane-powered lawn mower with a Kohler EFI power-plant engine, and a Superior Energy Systems autogas dispenser.

The newest additions to Peterbilt’s lineup of natural gas-powered commercial vehicles, including the vocational Model 567, were on display during the ACT Expo. The 567 is equipped with a Cummins Westport ISX12 G CNG engine and Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide’s back-of-cab CNG fuel storage solution that uses the company’s Q-Lite tank technology and can store 123 diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) of fuel.

Mack’s natural gas-powered Pinnacle models at ACT Expo included axle-back models with both LNG and CNG power supplied by a Cummins Westport ISX12 G engine. Mack Trucks, which also offers natural gas-powered TerraPro models, recently introduced an LR series refuse vehicle and plans to announce a natural gas-powered version of the Mack Granite.

Volvo Trucks showcased a CNG-powered VNL day cab and a prototype dimethyl ether-powered VNL day cab at ACT Expo. Both vehicles are part of Volvo Trucks’ “Blue Power” natural gas strategy for North America. Volvo currently offers CNG- and LNG-powered versions of its VNM day cab and VNL sleeper and day cab models powered by spark-ignited gas engines. The OEM also continues to work toward commercialization of dimethyl ether-powered trucks for the North American market, and is developing a fully integrated natural gas solution, a compression ignition engine that utilizes LNG.

Freightliner Trucks now offers factory-installed LNG fuel tanks for the Cascadia 113 day cab with a Cummins Westport ISX12 G engine and a 155 DGE CNG tank. The company also showcased a Freightliner 114SD CNG roll-off concept truck equipped with the Cummins Westport ISX12 G, and a Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. S2G liquid propane-fueled chassis with a stake body and crane. Visit www.actexpo.com.

NAFA Pioneers Fleet Sustainability Program
The NAFA Sustainable Fleet Standard Program, developed in conjunction with CALSTART, will allow member organizations to assess how to enhance practices to decrease fuel dependence and emissions while increasing the efficiency of vehicles and reducing costs.

With the new program, notes NAFA President Claude T. Masters, CAFM, fleet services manager at Florida Power & Light Co., NAFA intends to pioneer a movement in the fleet community that emphasizes the economic and environmental benefits of sustainability. “The importance of sustainable practices becomes more evident each day,” he said. “By becoming more energy independent and efficient, our members will extend benefits to their bottom line and their customer base.” Visit www.nafa.org.

Florida Power & Light Wins EPA Award
Florida Power & Light Co. has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence Award for 2014, which honors innovative programs that benefit communities, the environment and the economy. In particular, the EPA recognized FPL’s deployment of fuel-efficient vehicle technology, an important part of the utility’s overall efforts to provide electric service to its 4.7 million customers throughout Florida.

FPL operates one of the largest sustainably responsible fleets in the nation with approximately 1,750 biodiesel-powered vehicles and 550 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. In 2013, FPL’s clean-vehicle fleet saved 682,000 gallons of petroleum fuel and prevented more than 6,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Visit www.fpl.com.

HYBRIDS

Odyne Endorsed by Allison, Taps John Deere, Introduces Export Power System
Allison Transmission has endorsed the use of its 3000 and 4000 Series transmissions with the Odyne plug-in hybrid PTO-based system. The Odyne hybrid power system interfaces with Allison Transmission’s fully automatic transmissions.

Hybrid energy is captured in the Odyne system using Remy electric propulsion motors and Johnson Controls’ lithium-ion battery technology and components. The system’s PTO interface provides a direct connection between the hybrid system and the transmission. Odyne’s hybrid system and ePTO can power most equipment for an entire day with the engine off.

Odyne Systems is also working with John Deere Electronic Solutions, previously known as Phoenix International, as a supplier of its JDES PD300 power inverter. The inverter drives the Remy electric motor in the Odyne hybrid system.

Additionally, Odyne is now incorporating export power system technology in its hybrid solution capable of providing up to 6 kilowatts or greater from the hybrid battery system to power large electrical loads, equipment and tools. The system has been tested to 18 kilowatts and is designed for applications up to 36 kilowatts.

The export power capability of the Odyne system potentially eliminates the need for vehicle-mounted or towed generators, or to continually idle the truck to operate engine-driven generators. The system provides consistent power conversion throughout the entire range of the battery charge and will operate without interruption at a work site, even if battery capacity drops, since the hybrid system has the ability to recharge the battery using the chassis engine. Visit www.odyne.com.

Kinetics Hybrid Approved for NYSERDA Voucher Program
The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced that the Crosspoint Kinetics hybrid electric system qualifies for voucher funding. Fleets operating Class 3-8 vehicles in the New York City area can now get up to 80 percent of the system’s cost reimbursed as part of an ongoing initiative to reduce emissions in the region. To qualify for up to $40,000 per truck, the vehicles must be converted to electric, hybrid electric or CNG, and must spend at least 70 percent of their time operating in the five boroughs of New York City.

The Kinetics hybrid system is a bolt-on solution that has undergone testing at FTA/Altoona, CALSTART and Cummins, and in more than 6 million miles of field driving with customers.

The New York City Alternative Fuel Vehicle – Voucher Incentive Fund has earmarked $6 million for the program with NYSERDA, in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Transportation and CALSTART. Visit www.crosspointkinetics.com.

GREEN VEHICLES

AT&T Deploys 8,000th CNG Vehicle
AT&T recently fielded its 8,000th CNG vehicle, achieving a milestone in the company’s 10-year, $565-million commitment to add approximately 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles to its fleet by end of 2018. The 8,000th CNG vehicle, a 2014 Chevy Express van, will be used in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

In addition to CNG, AT&T has deployed hybrid electric, all electric and extended-range electric vehicles, for a total AFV fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles in 43 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The company plans to continue to deploy a mix of technologies. Visit www.att.com.

Westport WiNG Receives CARB and EPA Certifications
Westport has received certification from the California Air Resources Board for its 2014 model year Westport WiNG Ford F-150 3.7-liter pickup truck with a dedicated CNG system. The F-150 pickup, which is also certified by the EPA, runs on CNG and is available with 17-gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) or 23-GGE tanks.

Westport has also received certification from the EPA for its 2015 model year Ford F-250 and F-350, 6.2-liter Super Duty trucks with the Westport WiNG bi-fuel CNG system. The F-250 and F-350 trucks run on both gasoline and CNG and are available with 17-GGE or 23-GGE tanks, or a variety of combinations using the underbody tanks. Visit www.westport.com/products/automotive.

Bi-Fuel Options Set for 2015 GMC and Chevrolet Models
A bi-fuel CNG option is available on all 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD single-rear-wheel pickup truck models. Express and Savana vans are also available with fully dedicated CNG fuel systems, including three- or four-tank models on the cargo vans.

“Based on current average fuel prices, CNG is more than a dollar cheaper than an equivalent gallon of gasoline, giving fleets an incentive to use CNG to power their vehicles,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, General Motors Fleet and Commercial. “Given the consistent cost savings and expanding infrastructure, commercial interest in CNG vehicles continues to grow.” Visit
www.gmfleet.com.

Omnitek Selected for City of Little Rock Pilot Program
Omnitek Engineering Corp. has been selected for a city of Little Rock, Ark., pilot program intended to demonstrate the economic benefits and environmental effectiveness of the company’s diesel-to-natural-gas engine conversion technology. The converted Navistar DT466E heavy-duty truck engines in the city’s municipal fleet will utilize Little Rock’s new CNG fueling station.
Visit www.omnitekcorp.com.

Quantum to Supply Heavy-Duty OEMs
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide has announced it will offer natural gas storage systems to the heavy-duty OEM market. In 2013, the company introduced rail-mounted storage systems for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and in March 2014 it introduced a lightweight back-of-cab storage system. Visit www.qtww.com.

Video Series Features Clean Diesel Technology for Off-Road Engines
The Diesel Technology Forum is launching a 10-part video series highlighting the research, development, and strategies used by leaders in clean diesel technology to produce near-zero emissions in new off-road engines and equipment. The series includes interviews with technology and business executives.

“This year marks a new era for construction and other off-road diesel engines and equipment,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “Manufacturers have met the challenge from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to virtually eliminate emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides in the fourth-generation Tier 4 Final emissions standards. There is no better example of innovation and achievement in clean, fuel-efficient technology than what is now available from diesel engine and equipment makers.”

Upcoming videos will feature strategies in achieving the Tier 4 standards from Cummins, Bosch, CASE Construction Equipment, Caterpillar, Deere and Co., FPT Industrial, Isuzu, Johnson Matthey, MTU America, Volvo Powertrain and Yanmar. Visit www.dieselforum.org.

EPA Announces Funding to Clean Up Diesel Engines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making available $9 million in grant funding for clean diesel projects. The funding comes from the EPA’s Diesel Emission Reduction Program. Projects may include school and transit buses, heavy-duty trucks and other diesel engines. Visit www.epa.gov.

Worcester RTA Fields Proterra EV Buses
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority, using approximately $7 million of federal and matching state funds from MassDOT, has purchased six Proterra plug-in, all-electric buses. The new buses are expected to emit 130 fewer tons of carbon dioxide annually than models running on diesel, and the RTA estimates a decrease in operating costs of $3 million over 12 years.

The only EV bus manufacturer to have buses in revenue service anywhere in the U.S., Proterra has units running in San Antonio, Tallahassee, Fla., and Pomona, Calif., among other cities, and has announced contracts with Reno, Nev., Nashville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky. Visit www.proterra.com.

School Districts Replacing Buses with Propane Autogas Models
Broward County Public Schools, the nation’s sixth-largest school district, has purchased 98 propane autogas-fueled buses for high-mileage routes. The county expects a six-month return on investment for the additional cost of the alternative fuel models. Each bus will displace about 40,000 gallons of diesel and emit 150,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. The school district purchased the buses from Florida Transportation Systems, the authorized Blue Bird dealer in Florida. The Blue Bird Propane-Powered Vision models, each equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech fuel system, include a 100-gallon extended-range tank that provides a 93-usable-gallon capacity.

Almost 50 buses fueled by propane autogas will begin operation for the 2014-2015 school year in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Cleveland Schools, Ohio’s second-largest school district, will replace 12- to 13-year-old diesel buses with Blue Bird’s Propane-Powered Vision buses from Cardinal Bus Sales, Ohio’s Blue Bird dealer. Each bus is equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system, including 20 outfitted with wheelchair lifts. Visit www.roushcleantech.com.

CleanFUEL USA Unveils Fully Integrated Fuel Management System
A complete fuel network management system for electronic dispensers – CleanFUEL eCONNECT – has been introduced by CleanFUEL USA. CleanFUEL eCONNECT features remote access and control capabilities from a computer, tablet or mobile device. The software has dispenser diagnostics and real-time reports. Fleet managers can also customize CleanFUEL eCONNECT to meet specific data collection needs, such as vehicle mileage, fuel consumption and driver controls. Additional CleanFUEL eCONNECT options include keypad entry, card reader, RFID and key fob, as well as integrated printing. Visit www.cleanfuelusa.com.

GREEN EVENTS

AltCar Expo
September 19-20, 2014
Santa Monica, Calif. 
AltCar Expo, a free event now in its 9th year, will demonstrate the latest green technology vehicles, including electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid electric, natural gas, propane, biodiesel, ethanol and hydrogen models.
www.altcarexpo.com

Green News

Written by Seth Skydel on March 3, 2014. Posted in Smart Fleets.

EPA 2014 Renewable Fuel Standards Proposal Reaffirms Commitment to Biofuels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the levels of renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline and diesel. The proposal for annual volume requirements, developed with input from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture, is required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 for all motor vehicle gasoline and diesel produced or imported in 2014.

The EPA proposal seeks to put the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program on a path forward. The renewable fuels program was developed by Congress in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the nation’s renewable fuels sector while reducing reliance on foreign oil. The standards determine how much renewable fuel a refiner or importer is responsible for, and are designed to achieve national volumes for each type of renewable fuel.

“Biofuels are a key part of the Obama administration’s ‘all of the above’ energy strategy, helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, cut carbon pollution and create jobs,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “We have made great progress in recent years, and EPA continues to support the RFS goal of increasing biofuel production and use. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to develop a final rule that maintains the strength and promise of the RFS program.”

The proposal discusses a variety of approaches for setting the 2014 standards, and includes a number of production and consumption ranges for key categories of biofuels covered by the RFS program. Specifically, EPA is proposing volumes for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and renewable fuels.

EPA is also addressing the E10 blend wall issue. Nearly all gasoline sold in the U.S. is now E10, which is fuel with up to 10 percent ethanol. Production of renewable fuels has been growing rapidly in recent years. At the same time, advances in vehicle fuel economy and other economic factors have pushed gasoline consumption far lower than what was expected when Congress passed the RFS. As a result, the country is now at the E10 blend wall, the point at which the E10 fuel pool is saturated with ethanol. If gasoline demand continues to decline, as currently forecast, continuing growth in the use of ethanol will require greater use of higher ethanol blends such as E15 and E85.

The Obama administration has taken a number of steps to allow or encourage the use of these higher ethanol blends. In 2010, EPA approved E15 for use in vehicles newer than model year 2001, and developed labeling rules to enable retailers to market E15. In addition, since 2011, the USDA has made funding available through the Rural Energy for America Program to support deployment of flex-fuel pumps that can dispense a range of ethanol blends.

The new 2014 proposal seeks to address additional actions that could be taken by government and industry to help overcome current market challenges, and to minimize the need for adjustments in the statutory renewable fuel volume requirements in the future. Visit www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/regulations.htm.

HTUF Update
The 13th High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum (HTUF) National Meeting, held recently in Chicago, proved to be an important venue for bringing together stakeholders from all corners of the industry to advance the commercialization and adoption of high-efficiency truck and bus technologies. Billed as “The Forum for Action in High-Efficiency Commercial Vehicles,” HTUF focused on work across all high-efficiency technologies for commercial vehicles, and identified key actions required to move forward in the year ahead.

The HTUF Commercial Truck Action Group provided feedback on several working groups and initiatives, including strong support from across the industry for a nationwide voucher incentive expansion program. CALSTART is now in the process of developing a formal proposal for industry engagement and commitment to help implement these programs.

New companies and technologies continue to face significant structural obstacles related to emissions certification and onboard diagnostics compliance. As a result, CALSTART is continuing to explore opportunities for creating a certification process with more flexible policies that would allow new technologies to be deployed during the early (low-volume) stages of commercialization.

Sessions at HTUF focused on other issues as well. Included was a fleet deployment best practices working group session on helping fleets achieve economic and operational benefits as they deploy high-efficiency technologies. One question the session tried to help answer, for example, was, “How should our industry define, measure and prioritize high-efficiency technology deployment?”

Also at HTUF were the following sessions:
• Reduced Battery Life Cycle Costs Initiative
• Engineered Fuels – What are some of the more cost-effective improvements over traditional diesel and gasoline? When and where will they become more widely available to fleets?
• Advanced High Power Charging Systems for Your Electric Truck or Bus – New fast-charge systems are being readied for market that have potential to significantly expand the use of EV and PHEV technologies.
• Natural Gas as an Enabling Fuel for Near Zero Emissions – Several innovative applications for NG were highlighted as methods to extend the near-term range and performance capability of HD EVs.
• Zero Emission Truck and Bus Breakthrough – Several recent and important developments and programs were shared regarding ZE truck and bus development and deployment.

During the HTUF meeting, a Ride & Drive event included a technology parade. Featured were vehicles that focus on progress in refining overall driveability (noise vibration and harshness), continued innovation around regenerative braking (maximizing efficiency while also accommodating driver/fleet feedback) and increased utilization of real-time driver feedback displays.

HTUF also hosted the Hino/FleetCarma MPG Challenge, which demonstrated the significance of driver behavior on fuel economy on a fixed route of approximately 1.2 miles with eight to nine stops. The tests were conducted without exceeding locally posted speed limits or violating safe driving practices. The test vehicle for the challenge was a 2014 Hino 195h hybrid electric truck provided by Hino Trucks. Since a diesel-equivalent truck was not available, baseline fuel economy results were established by driving the Hino hybrid under aggressive driving conditions.

Results of the challenge included that out of 21 drivers, three drivers demonstrated a 45 percent improvement in fuel economy (mpg) compared to the aggressive driving baseline. Filtering the data to exclude the three most efficient drivers, the results indicated that typical drivers delivered from a 15 percent to 35 percent mpg improvement, depending on driving behavior.

The results, according to HTUF organizers, clearly demonstrate the importance of driver behavior on hybrid mpg results, and reinforce the importance of driver feedback displays and driver training, a fleet deployment best practice that is receiving increased attention industry-wide.

“The High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum is a process for driving and accelerating the commercialization of high-efficiency technologies into the commercial vehicle market,” said Kevin Beaty, vice president and HTUF director, CALSTART. “We do this by using a proven, ﬂeet-driven commercialization model and fostering a unique collaboration between OEMs, suppliers, fleets, policymakers and other stakeholders. We promote technology deployment and validation through action-oriented industry working groups aimed at achieving the goal of driving down the cost of developing new technologies.”

The 2014 HTUF Annual Meeting will be held September 22-23, 2014, at the Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Ill. Visit www.calstart.org.

GREEN VEHICLES

Club Car Launches New Line of Carryall Vehicles
To help commercial customers switch from pickup trucks to gas, diesel or zero-emissions electric utility vehicles, Club Car is launching a new line of Carryall utility and transport vehicles (UTVs). To bridge the gap between trucks and UTVs, the manufacturer partnered with Subaru to design a new 14-horsepower, 404-cc, single-cylinder overhead cam engine that features electronic fuel injection, capacitive discharge ignition, hemispherical heads and a case-hardened steel timing chain. A splash lubrication system, which eliminates the need for oil filters to simplify maintenance and reduce environmental waste, is included as well.

Most new electric Carryall utility vehicles will feature a combination of an onboard, high-frequency charger with an integrated cord retractor as standard equipment. The charger can be programmed for multiple algorithms, including lead acid or gel/AGM batteries, and can be plugged into any 110- or 240-volt outlet.

The new Carryall vehicles retain the rustproof aluminum frame, rack-and-pinion steering and independent front suspension system on previous models. An aluminum bed box accommodates a configurable and removable track-based attachment system for tools and other equipment. Movable bed dividers and cargo tie-downs to stabilize loads and prevent shifting are available, and the system accommodates optional ladder racks, bucket holders and other accessories. Visit www.clubcar.com.

Transforming Service Vans to Hybrid Vehicles
Newly purchased 2014 Chevrolet Express service vans in the Coca-Cola fleet are now fitted with hybrid electric powertrain technology from XL Hybrids. Coca-Cola, which currently operates the largest hybrid electric delivery fleet in North America, is adding 100 of the vans to its light-duty fleet.

The XL Hybrids patent-pending hybrid electric powertrain can be installed on existing or new vehicles. Early test results of the technology at Coca-Cola showed a 15 to 20 percent reduction in fuel use compared to conventional vans. The company estimates that as a result of fuel savings, the powertrain unit will pay for itself three times over its projected 10-year life span. Visit www.xlhybrids.com.

GM to Offer Full-Size Bi-Fuel Sedan
A Chevrolet Impala sedan that operates on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG) will be available to fleet customers from General Motors. The GM-produced full-size bi-fuel sedan is expected to go on sale next summer as a 2015 model.

The Chevrolet Impala bi-fuel sedan, according to the manufacturer, is designed to address the range anxiety associated with vehicles that run only on natural gas. The model features a factory-engineered powertrain that switches seamlessly from CNG to gasoline. Total range is expected to be up to 500 miles.

Other GM green initiatives, in addition to the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Spark EV and the upcoming Cadillac ELR, include the introduction of start-stop technology as standard on the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, helping the midsize sedan achieve a 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway rating. GM is also using electrification to boost fuel economy in the Buick Regal and LaCrosse sedans, which both get an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in highway use. Visit www.gmfleet.com.

First CNG-Capable 2014 Ford F-150 Rolls Off the Line
Ford has begun production of the 2014 F-150 half-ton pickup with the ability to run on natural gas. The vehicle, powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 engine, is available with a factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package that includes hardened valves, valve seats, and pistons and rings, so it can operate on either natural gas or gasoline through separate fuel systems. When equipped with a bi-fuel CNG/LPG engine package, the F-150 is capable of achieving more than 750 miles on combined tanks of gasoline and CNG, depending on tank sizes.

For the CNG/LPG models, fleets choose a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. The OEM has established a rigorous qualification program for alternative-fuel vehicle modifiers.

By next summer, Ford will offer eight commercial vehicles with a gaseous-prep option, including:
• Transit Connect van and wagon
• Transit van, wagon, cutaway and chassis cab
• E-Series van, wagon, cutaway and stripped chassis
• F-Series Super Duty pickup and F-350 chassis cab
• F-Series Super Duty chassis cab (F-450, F-550)
• F-650 medium-duty truck
• F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis
• 2014 F-150 light-duty pickup

Ford notes that customers also can accelerate the payback period in a bi-fuel vehicle by taking advantage of a growing number of state incentives. Nearly 20 states offer or will soon provide tax incentives or rebates for CNG-converted vehicles. Visit www.fleet.ford.com.

UPCOMING GREEN EVENTS

The Green Truck Summit & The Work Truck Show 2014
March 4-7
Indianapolis
www.ntea.com

The Green Truck Summit, to be held March 4-5, 2014, in conjunction with The Work Truck Show 2014, offers an opportunity to gather information about innovative clean vehicle technologies, alternative fuel trends and upcoming products. Produced by the NTEA and presented by International Truck, the 2014 Green Truck Summit will focus on the rising use of natural gas to power vocational trucks.

Technical experts, government officials, business leaders, and early adopter fleet managers will present educational sessions at the Green Truck Summit, including five general and 24 breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including:
• Advanced technology trends
• Ways to reduce fuel consumption
• Technology selection and deployment strategies
• Funding opportunities and incentives
• Critical advances in engine and fuel technology
• Implementation challenges
• Determining return on investment
• OEM strategies for incorporating advanced technologies into future product offerings

AltCar Expo
March 14-15
Richmond, Calif.
www.altcarexponorcal.com

A forum for green vehicle ride and drive demonstrations of the latest advancements in alternative technology vehicles, urban planning, energy efficiency and climate education, the new Northern California AltCar Expo will include an Industry/Fleet Day. The expo will include electric, hybrid electric, natural gas and hydrogen vehicles, and feature a number of debuts.

The Northern California AltCar Expo event will also be the site of presentations by experts in clean driving technology, and will provide an opportunity to learn more about a newly announced plan backed by governors of eight states to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the road within a dozen years. The plan calls for the creation of financial incentive programs, development of a common standard for roadway signs and charging networks, and the possibility of establishing favorable electricity rates for home charging.

Northeast Regional HTUF Fleet Workshop and Ride and Drive
April 16
New York
www.calstart.org

In partnership with the City of New York, the Northeast Regional HTUF Fleet Workshop and Ride and Drive will provide a full day of activities focused on advancing alternative fuel vehicles in the Northeast through best business practices. Fleets throughout the region are invited to participate in an engaging discussion focused on region-specific business needs, appropriate technology solutions by fleet vocation and incentives available in New York to help drive the alternative fuel vehicle market. Following the morning panel discussions, fleets and regional stakeholders will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an alternative fuel vehicle and experience the efficiencies and benefits of cleaner, more sustainable vehicle solutions.

Alternative Clean Transportation Expo 2014
May 5-8
Long Beach, Calif.
www.actexpo.com

The ACT Expo brings together more than 3,000 fleet, technology company, OEM, fuel provider, infrastructure developer and policymaker attendees. All weight classes and alternative fuel types are represented at the event, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas, propane autogas and renewable fuels. Participants can explore the event’s expo hall and test-drive dozens of advanced technology vehicles, see alternative fuel vehicle projects at off-site tours, attend fleet-focused educational sessions, and network with vehicle, fueling and technology suppliers.

Electric Drive Transportation Association Conference & Annual Meeting
May 19-21
Indianapolis
www.edta2014.com

The EDTA promotes battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure. The EDTA also conducts public policy advocacy, education, industry networking and conferences. Its membership includes vehicle and equipment manufacturers, energy companies, technology developers, component suppliers, government agencies and others.

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