The Daily Dash is a quick look at what is happening in the freight ecosystem. In today’s edition, General Motors and Nikola Corp. strike a deal for fuel cells and production of Nikola’s Badger pickup. Plus, diesel engines have been a big winner from the fallout of the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, and trucking’s exemption from AB5 could be at risk.
GM, Nikola strike a deal
General Motors will supply fuel cells and advanced batteries for Nikola Corp.’s Class 7 and 8 trucks. GM will also produce Nikola’s Badger pickup truck and take an 11% stake in Nikola.
Alan Adler explains the reasons for the tie-up: GM will supply batteries and fuel cells for Nikola electric trucks
Diesel benefits from Volkswagen emissions scandal
The Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal resulted in a massive windfall in funds for states to fund replacement of polluting trucks, buses and marine equipment. To date, only about one-third of the $3 billion has been awarded for projects, and little has gone to the deployment of electric or alternative-fuel vehicles.
Linda Baker explains how the money is being spent: Analysis: Most VW emissions settlement funds go to diesel tech, not electric vehicles
AB5 back in court
Trucking awaits a decision from a court hearing last week that could overturn its exemption from California’s AB5 regulation. If it does, independent truckers in the state could lose their status and be forced onto company payrolls.
John Kingston explains: Judicial panel hears why AB5 should be kept out of California trucking sector
Finding the truth
Walmart may not seem like a company that struggles with much, but it was. Carrier payment disputes were commonplace in its Canadian operations, with as many as 70% of all invoices seeing discrepancies. The retailer turned to DLT Labs for a solution.
Nate Tabak has the story on how blockchain ended nearly all disputes: How Walmart solved carrier payment woes in Canada with DLT Labs, blockchain
Stories we think you’ll like:
KeepTruckin’s App Marketplace 2.0 gives carriers more control
Nikola, Hyliion defend divergent paths to zero-emission trucking
Jetco Delivery CEO launches on-demand fleet safety program
Ace Hardware expanding into Mexico
Comcar’s final unit will be sold to TFI subsidiary, court documents show
Borderlands: FedEx Logistics expands in El Paso; Stanley Black and Decker picks Mexico for new plant
Uber Freight opens up platform for large enterprise shippers
Did you miss this?
Vietnam veteran Jim Garhart saw his 50-year trucking career come to a sudden end this summer because of a terminal cancer diagnosis. The cancer was found after Garhart was involved in a tractor-trailer accident. It was not the way he wanted his final ride to go.
Clarissa Hawes has the story of how Garhart got one final ride: Industry bands together to grant dying trucker’s final wish
Hammer down, everyone,
Brian Straight
Managing Editor
Click for more FreightWaves articles by Brian Straight.
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Stephen Webster
We need to have owner leased ops get paid at least 20 U S dollars per hour on payroll the rest can go to the truck
This should also apply to all foreign truck drivers including truck drivers from Mexico and Canada. A group in B V and Ont Canada is pushing for 27.00 dollars per hour for all O T R and container movements for those people plus overtime after 10 hours per day. This way owner ops can still run and the Ont government still getting needed tax revenue. This would reduce truck drivers in Ontario homeless shelter system after getting injured or sick with the wage subsidy ended. Every U S state could do the same thing.