Emissions

Old-school aerodynamics technologies such as TruckWings can contribute to economic and environmental sustainability.

Kansas City Southern’s new, more stringent emission target will keep the company in line with the Paris Agreement emission goals.

Airbus sets sights on zero-emission aircraft powered by hydrogen

DHL Supply Chain experts share how the company has adapted its sustainability efforts due to the COVID-19 pandemic and offer sustainability tips for businesses.

As more modes of transportation are experimenting with the use of hydrogen fuel solutions, there are still major challenges that green hydrogen production and adoption faces.

Wabash National discloses Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions in its first sustainability report.

NATSO and other retail fuels industry trade groups urge states not to join the Transportation Climate Initiative Program.

Canadian Pacific has announced a pilot project to develop North America’s first line-haul hydrogen-powered locomotive.

AB InBev is on track to reach its 2025 100% renewable energy goal in 2021. This Ffireside chat from the North American Supply Chain Summit covers the company’s sustainability efforts across the entire supply chain.

Airbus is partnering with ElringKlinger to create a zero-emission, hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. Airbus released three ZEROe aircraft concepts.

Wabtec shares its “30 by 30” strategy for combating climate change. Greenbrier plans to track its emissions and energy intensity in 2021.

Over two decades and 2 million miles of trucking, Karl Williams has driven practically every brand of Class 8 tractor. Now behind the wheel of an electric Freightliner eCascadia, he relishes keeping his place in stop-and-go traffic and the sound of near silence.

A record Australian fine of A$125 million ($86.2 million) has been imposed on Volkswagen because of its false emissions statements.

An unreleased study reportedly discussed at IMO’s meeting this week suggests that setting ship engine power limitations would result in negligible CO2 emission reduction.

Plus: Waymo goes to Paris; 12% of Americans responsible for two-thirds of all airline emissions.

British Airways parent commits to ambitious emissions reduction goal

Convoy launched Automated Reloads in June. Since then, the company said in “top markets,” the number of empty miles has been reduced by up to 50% or more in some areas and carbon emissions from empty miles have been reduced 45%.

Getting to Zero Coalition, which includes Maersk Line, calls for “commercially viable zero-emission vessels” to be deployed on deep sea trade by 2030.

Diesel consumption in California fell in the beginning of 2019, led some to believe that there was a sudden transition to other fuel sources.

German officials have unveiled a $60 billion climate policy package, one of several government and private-sector emissions reductions schemes that have been introduced ahead of next week’s UN climate summit […]

Since 2016, Air BP has been reducing carbon emissions through its BP Biojet.

CARB is making $40 million available in the form of vouchers to reduce emissions. Eligible equipment includes everything from rubber-tired gantry cranes, to airport cargo loaders to truck and trailer refrigeration units.

Plus: Automakers, flouting President Trump, agree to California emissions standards.

The cap and trade system begins with government allocated permits with must remain equal to the company’s emission.

Banks set carbon emissions standards for lending limits; oil production in the Permian basin booms; distracted driving problem is larger than previously thought.

Cummins is reviewing is emissions certification and compliance process following questions from EPA and CARB. The company did report strong earnings and a record number of engines shipped in the first quarter.

The funding is expected to increase the use of electric cargo bikes to fulfil last-mile deliveries, which will help reduce congestion and pollution on the English streets.

With widespread adoption and government backing, hydrogen fuel cells could be an economically viable alternative to bunker fuel in the maritime industry, especially after the IMO sulfur cap regulation kicks in by 2020.

Volvo has started testing connected vehicle technology in California, plus Michigan governor pitches fuel tax hike, California legislator wants to phase out diesel engines and Alibaba buys into delivery company.

Glider kit investigations initiated by Democrats and Republicans are expected to be concluded in early 2019.

In a surprise move, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI), which will try to rein in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from commercial vehicles.

Tennessee Tech has acknowledged that the results of its controversial glider kit study were “inaccurate.”

The underlying science of glider kit emissions was the topic of a hearing on Thursday in Washington, although opponents of glider kits were not part of the panel.

Meritor CEO Jay Craig offered insights into how the century-old industrial manufacturer of automotive components adapts to a changing technological landscape: by paying attention to external changes and listening to its customers.

Cashflow Corner presented by TriumphPay …Truck operators have a number of regulations they must meet to operate in California, including trailer and refrigeration unit mandates. Failure to do so can lead to big fines.

Trucking’s environmental progress since the first Earth Day; Volvo Trucks shares battery tech across brands; US oil exports to Europe jump on Brent/WTI spread; BNSF and Union Pacific offer $25k signing bonuses; FedEx links Guangzhou and Memphis; how China is buying Europe.

Clean Truck Programs that remove older trucks from port operation benefit not only the environment, but also productivity, says the program manager of one such initiative.

Spireon is hoping to solve trailer tracking issues for mixed fleets that require customization with its FL Flex modular trailer tracking solution.

An open letter by “A thousand upset truckers” to the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) was posted on the Facebook page of PierTrucker.com/Seattle, declaring its opposition to the planned phase-out of trucks with pre-2007 engines contained in proposed House Bill 2601.

It is estimated that international trade-related freight transport accounts for nearly one-third of the total emissions across the world. Such situations call for innovation in the freight industry that could help mitigate carbon footprint through optimizing fuel consumption and improving operational efficiency.

Toyota Motors’ trucking subsidiary Hino Motors has partnered with India’s Ashok Leyland in an effort to comply with the India Bharat Stage VI (BS6) regulations for reducing emissions from vehicles, The Japan Times reported.

The EPA has canceled a rule that would have subjected glider kits to the same emissions standards as newly manufactured heavy duty vehicles. Glider truck assemblers lauded the announcement while environmental advocate groups protested.

One of the largest elements of operational expenses in the freight hauling business is fuel, and yet there are a limited number of fleets that actively manage this cost effectively. Wisconsin-based Breakthrough Fuel is providing a way to effectively manage energy and reduce costs.

In a quest for more business in China’s booming e-commerce markets, parcel companies in that country are waging a pricing war, threatening to eat up profits and pressuring margins for companies already facing razor-thin operating budgets, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review.   

The Shippers Conditions Index has improved slightly in August, although it remains in negative territory, according to the latest update from FTR. At the same time, DAT reported a decline in capacity last week on the spot market, which occurred before Hurricane Harvey struck Texas.

President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord could have a profound effect on global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, but will probably have little impact on the U.S. trucking industry.

A petition has been filed asking EPA to reconsider its Phase 2 GHG rules based on a procedural step that may have been missed. Also, spot rates climb and cargo theft remains a top concern.

This Week in Trucking, the EPA has filed a court brief seeking a delay in a challenge to its greenhouse gas regulations, leading to speculation that the agency may review the upcoming Phase 2 rules. Also, the government has acknowledged it is lacking answers for regulating automated vehicles, Amazon jumps into the driverless vehicle arena and the economy is off to a slow start in 2017.