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DAF Trucks has started field testing the CF Hybrid with the aim of gaining experience in daily use. The Dutch transport operator Peter Appel is now using two of these innovative trucks to supply supermarkets in the heart of the Netherlands. The DAF CF Hybrid is 100% electric in urban areas and uses clean diesel technology out of town. The innovation truck combines best of the both worlds by driving with ‘zero emissions’ in town, thereby ensuring both long range and flexibility outside urban areas. The DAF CF Hybrid innovation trucks are equipped with the extremely efficient 10.8 litre PACCAR MX-11 diesel engine (330 kW/450 hp), a ZF electric motor (75 kW/100 hp, peak power: 130 kW/175 hp) and a special ZF TraXon gearbox for hybrid powertrains. Recharging while driving or at charging station The electric motor gets its energy from a 85 kWh battery pack, which recharges when the diesel engine is being used. During diesel operation the electric motor functions as a generator and delivers energy to the battery pack. In the future it will also be possible to charge the battery at a (fast) charging station. When the battery is fully charged, the DAF CF Hybrid –– has an electric range of 30 to 50 kilometres, depending on the total weight of the truck-trailer combination, which is more than enough to drive into and out of urban areas without producing any tailpipe emissions. Smart energy management Outside of town the CF Hybrid is powered by the clean and efficient PACCAR MX-11 diesel engine, which offers a long range. In addition, the hybrid technology delivers extra savings on fuel consumption thanks to smart energy management. The energy that is generated by the engine brake as well as Down Hill Speed Control is used by the electric motor to support the diesel engine. This is beneficial both in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Suitable for longer journeys “Together with our client, Albert Heijn, we are always looking for ways to reduce our CO2 footprint,” says Marcel Pater, fleet manager at Peter Appel Transport, which boasts a total of 680 trucks. “While the electric trucks are ideal for urban distribution, the hybrid technology is preferable for longer routes. In town the DAF CF Hybrid operates fully electric, and the truck’s diesel engine means it can travel to and from the different distribution centres within the Netherlands and abroad without any problems.” Daily use by clients “With a cleaner future in mind, for DAF there is no one single technological solution for the broad spectrum of transport requirements,” according to Ron Borsboom, executive director of Product Development. “That’s why we are testing different technologies. Fully electric is a good alternative for urban distribution, clean diesel technology an excellent option for longer distances – partly due to new types of fuel – and for the long term we are having a closer look at hydrogen as well. With the field test of the CF Hybrid, we want to assess not only its electric/diesel technology performance but also how suitable it is in terms of daily use by our clients.” .

Cummins Press Release / February 24, 2020 Cummins structural engine range for agricultural tractor applications now spans 90 – 326 hp / 67 – 243 kW. The F3.8, F4.5 and B6.7 Performance Series structural engines have been optimized for minimal weight alongside maximum strength for engine and driveline durability. Cummins next generation Performance Series technology significantly improves the capabilities of our F3.8 engine, with 33% more power and 31% more torque versus the previous model. Pushing the power up to 173 hp has made the F3.8 a leader in its class, delivering high machine capability and substantial productivity benefits for farmers who operate Cummins powered equipment. Moving up the range, the 6-cylinder B6.7 Performance Series engine surges ahead with up to 326 hp and a peak torque of 1375 Nm – a 30 percent increase over its predecessor. Cummins’ electronic control capability means that performance of all structural engines is tailored for on-farm operation with the optimum power bulge and torque back up available to suit tractor duty cycles The F3.8, F4.5 and B6.7 structural engines meet the latest EU and EPA emissions standards. .

I would love to own that D5N 6x4 tractor. Reference: https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/31209-when-the-dodge-boys-sold-trucks-down-under/

Putin (Gazprom) is mostly exporting natural gas to Europe and China, not oil. Some very big names (good companies) in U.S. oil and gas are on or near the floor. We're going to be consuming oil and natural gas for many more years to come.

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 27, 2020 Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation has announced it is partnering with Proterra to develop an “enhanced, production-ready version” of its all-electric MT50e truck chassis for . FCCC said the MT50e will use a Proterra high-performance battery system. Factory-installed, the fully integrated electric power system provides 226 kWh of energy capacity in all-electric, zero-emission drive package. Built on FCCC’s existing MT platform, the all-electric MT50e will offer GVW ratings from 16,000 to 23,000 pounds, with no reduction in cargo volume capacity. The vehicle is designed to deliver over 125 miles of driving range and can fully charge in about three hours with DC fast-charging, said FCCC. “The new MT50e blends the efficiency and performance of an electric vehicle with the undisputed strength and ruggedness that’s made FCCC the most reliable chassis on the market,” said Jeff Sather, president and CEO of FCCC. He added that the MT50e will “propel both us and our customers into an era of zero emissions for last-mile delivery vehicles.” “Fleet operators are looking to electrify delivery trucks today and there is growing industry interest in a high-performance electric chassis with an energy-dense battery system,” said Proterra CEO Ryan Popple. “The MT50e offers fleet operators a leading vehicle platform they’re familiar with, combined with proven electric vehicle technology and expertise from Proterra.” First shown as a prototype at the 2019 NTEA Work Truck Show, the MT50e is the first of several commercial electric vehicles that FCCC is planning to develop for use in various applications. A production-ready version of the MT50e chassis will be on display at this year’s NTEA Work Truck Show, running from March 4 to 6 in Indianapolis, at Booth #4447. .

This is a rare moment to buy oil (and gas) stocks extremely cheap and make some serious money.

Transport Topics / February 28, 2020 Oil had its worst week since the financial crisis as panic over the coronavirus pandemic battered global markets. Futures in New York fell 16% this week, marking the biggest weekly drop since December 2008. The viral outbreak showed no signs of relenting, with the World Health Organization raising global risk to “very high” from “high.” The collapse of financial markets prompted U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to assure investors that the central bank is prepared to cut interest rates to mitigate the virus’ threat to economic activity. “A month ago, the concern was only China,” said Pavel Molchanov, energy research analyst at Raymond James & Associates Inc. “This meltdown is a fear of a global pandemic. The risk is we will see the same disruptions we saw in Asia, from travel restrictions to quarantines, materialize all over the world.” Oil prices have tumbled almost 27% this year on concerns the coronavirus outbreak will dent crude demand. OPEC and its allies have signaled the coalition could reach an agreement to stem the rout before meeting in Vienna next week. Saudi Arabia is reportedly pushing for collective OPEC+ production cuts of an additional 1 million barrels a day, of which it would bear the brunt. However, Riyadh’s proposal may not be enough to balance the oil market, according to a coronavirus-scenario analysis by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Salih Yilmaz and Rob Barnett. The alliance’s overall compliance with production cuts has not been enough to support oil prices. The reemergence of Libyan barrels also remains a risk. “We may be too far deep for any OPEC cuts to have a meaningful impact,” said Peter McGinn, market strategist at RJ O’Brien & Associates LLC. “If the virus keeps spreading, that is just going to keep hurting demand and cause another wave of panic selling. A production cut could give it a bounce, but these lows will persist for the foreseeable future without a vaccine.” West Texas Intermediate futures for April delivery fell $2.33, or 5%, to settle at $44.76 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent for April settlement, which expired Feb. 28, lost $1.66, or 3.2%, to end the session at $50.52 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange. The more active May contract fell 4% to $49.67. Brent’s so-called red spread — the difference between December contracts in consecutive years — sank deeper into bearish contango, settling at its lowest level since 2018. .

"The search for a suitable replacement for the aging [Mack] M123 series 10-ton 6x6 [tractor) lead to the purchase of some commercial models as interim vehicles. Known as the XM532E2, it was based on the commercial off-highway Model 8066 ["Payhauler"] by International Harvester, and used the truckmaker's own DTI-817 six-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled 375 horsepower diesel engine, with a torque converter-equipped Clark four-speed powershift transmission. Four ranges combined with four gears gave 16 forward speeds. A relative lightweight vehicle at 38,790 pounds, the XM532E2 had more than its share of maintenance problems and only remained in the U.S. Army's fleet about five years. Planetary gear axles were used with 14.00x24 tires. The wheelbase was a very short 160 inches, and the set-back front axle gave a 39 degree angle of approach. The XM532E2 was a relatively slow truck, at 31 miles per hour maximum speed, but the 220 gallon fuel tank gave it a 325 mile range. A 60,000 pound capacity hydraulic winch was mounted amidship for recovery operations. The tractor is seen in this picture coupled to a 55-ton capacity M524E1 trailer with a collapsible gooseneck, and carrying an M60A1 medium tank." .

Proud to see this #Autocar #ACX Heil Environmental #FEL hard at work for Carolina Waste & Recycling in North Charleston, South Carolina. We're honored to do business with #CarolinaWaste and support the many communities they serve. Always Up - Autocar Trucks .

Never a more beautiful truck ! Looks as though it just rolled off the assembly line. Modern in appearance !

Ford Trucks Spain Press Release / February 21, 2020 Spanish hauler Friocargo Herbatra has become the first Aragonese company to take delivery of a Ford Trucks F-MAX through our heavy truck dealer Caysercas, S.L. We hope they enjoy it to the fullest! .

Ford Trucks Spain Press Release / February 25, 2020 "We are delighted with both the low fuel consumption and high performance of the Ford F-MAX." These were the first words of Transportes Bolaños after testing the all-new Ford Trucks F-MAX provided by distributor Truck Moes. .

Ford Trucks International Press Release / February 27, 2020 With the 500 horsepower Ford Trucks 12.7-litre "Ecotorq" engine in our all-new F-MAX, nothing stands in your way! .

Our factory is in #rolltide country but when it comes to #refuse we're agnostic! #Autocar is honored to serve the students & faculty at University of Mississippi & help the amazing #olemisslandscapeservices staff keep the campus beautiful. .

This is a major product launch for Volvo. You all should be more excited and supportive.

DC-64M video https://www.linkedin.com/posts/autocar_autocar-beckindustrial-concretemixer-activity-6638232153731715072-37Di

Through an exchange agreement, Scania provided Mack Trucks with their new open-chamber, direct-injection combustion system, resulting in the legendary Mack END673 “Thermodyne” engine. The direct injection END673 then quickly replaced the END672 incorporating Lanova pre-combustion chambers (energy cell combustion chamber). (In the early years, Mack Trucks’ diesel engines including the ED519 and END672 utilized a Lanova design pre-combustion chamber design. Like Buda and others, Mack Trucks had purchased a technology license from Germany’s Lanova AG, led by the German engineer and Lanova concept inventor Franz Lang.)

Ford Takes Its Electric Scooter Company for a Spin Outside U.S. Edward Ludlow, Bloomberg / February 26, 2020 Spin, the scooter-sharing service owned by Ford Motor Co., is expanding to new markets outside of the U.S. The company will launch its first international fleet of electric scooters in Cologne, Germany, as soon as the spring, according to a statement. It will start with several hundred scooters and plans to increase the number quickly, though pricing hasn’t been decided. Spin also will apply in Paris for a scooter-sharing permit next month. “Since we started Spin it’s been about deliberate growth, understanding the markets, understanding the path to profitability before we expand.” Spin Chief Executive Officer Derrick Ko said in an interview. “Germany has both the infrastructure and regulations to support that.” Ford, which acquired Spin in 2018 for an untold sum, has helped the scooter company engage with city governments and understand the environment in markets it wants to enter, Spin’s President Euwyn Poon said in a separate interview. Germany legalized the use of scooters on roads and bicycle paths in May, spurring a race among European and U.S. startups to roll out products in Europe’s biggest economy. Other companies including Alphabet Inc.-backed Lime are eying growth in Europe, primarily because policy makers there are starting to restrict car use, according to David Spielfogel, Lime’s chief policy officer. Spin is also exploring private partnerships in the U.K. and plans to participate in pilot programs in cities across the country. While Spin has grown since Ford’s acquisition, it has yet to achieve profitability, according to Poon, who’s trying to get there this year. “The biggest risk is that cities don’t see us as their partner but see us as antagonists,” Ko said. “We are not here to screw you over, we are here to work with you.” Founded in San Francisco in 2016, Spin has grown to more than 600 employees and is operational in 70 different markets across the U.S., including San Francisco, Chicago and Washington. It also operates on the campuses of 25 schools including the University of Texas and Virginia Tech. .

ICE running facial-recognition searches on millions of [illegal immigrant] Maryland drivers The Washington Post / February 26, 2020 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have been permitted to run facial-recognition searches on millions of Maryland driver’s license photos without first seeking state or court approval, access that goes far beyond what other states allow and that alarms immigration activists in a state that grants special driver’s licenses to undocumented [illegal] immigrants. More than 275,000 such licenses have been issued statewide since 2013, when the state became the first on the East Coast to defy federal guidelines and allow undocumented [illegal] immigrants to obtain a license without having to provide proof of legal status. The technology allows ICE to run a photograph of an unknown person through the system and see if any potentially undocumented immigrants are returned as a match. “It’s a betrayal of [illegal] immigrants’ trust for the state to turn around and let ICE run warrantless searches on their faces,” said Harrison Rudolph, a senior associate at Georgetown University Law School’s Center on Privacy and Technology. “It’s a bait-and-switch. … ICE is using biometric information in the shadows, without government notice or public approval, to hunt down the most vulnerable people.” The battle to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented [illegal] immigrants spanned more than a decade in Maryland. In 2013, Maryland lawmakers voted to create the licenses despite federal laws requiring proof of immigration status on state-issued identification cards. The 2013 bill’s sponsor, former state senator Victor R. Ramirez (D-Prince George’s), heralded the change by saying at the time that Maryland would no longer “drive people [illegal immigrants] underground.” Fifteen states issue such licenses. Maryland does not describe itself as a sanctuary state, which generally means a jurisdiction refuses to cooperate with federal authorities on civil immigration enforcement. But several of its most populous jurisdictions, including Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and the city of Baltimore, have publicly restricted cooperation with ICE. More than 4 percent of the state’s residents, or approximately 275,000 people, are undocumented [illegal] immigrants.

Spicer Medium-Duty e-Axles Enter Production Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 24, 2020 Dana has begun production of its Spicer Electrified eS9000r e-Axle for Class 4 and Class 5 trucks. The e-Axle will be available for ordering by vehicle manufacturers in the third quarter of 2020, the company announced during a Feb. 23 briefing at the annual meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council in Atlanta. The manufacturer said it is the first to market with this e-Axle classification in North America and is the only supplier with the in-house capability to manufacture all components of the system, including the gears, axle, motor, and inverter. The e-S9000r is based on the Spicer S110, S111, and S130 rear drive-axle platforms engineered for medium-duty truck and bus applications. The eS9000r is engineered as a fully integrated e-Axle, including a gearbox and motor, and is easily incorporated into most existing chassis. Dana said moving the motor to the axle reduces driveline complexity while allowing batteries to be located between the frame rails to simplify truck body positioning. The power rating for the eS9000r is 237 kilowatts or about 317 horsepower at 650 volts DC for grade startability of 20%. The axle has a patent-pending electronically controlled parking pawl system that eliminates the need for an external solution on vehicles without a traditional transmission. The weight of the axle assembly including the water glycol-cooled Dana TM4 SUMO LD motor, CO150 inverter, and disc brakes is 815 pounds. “The electrical componentry replaces the existing axle, driveshaft, transmission and engine, and aftertreatment in a traditional chassis," said Dana Director of Product Planning Steve Slesinski. "This gives our OEM partners some options to put the battery packs either between the frame rails or outside the frame rails." "The eS9000r e-Axle is built on our distinguished single drive axle and e-Powertrain platform, offering a streamlined electronic propulsion system for increased reliability and efficiency," said Mark Wallace, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Drive and Motion Systems. "With an extensive level of electrification activity in Class 4 and Class 5 vehicles, we anticipate this truck class to be the first for widespread deployment and are ready to support our customers with industry-leading electrodynamic solutions," he added.

Jacobs Says Cylinder Deactivation Saves Fuel, Reduces NOx Jim Park, Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 26, 2020 Jacobs Vehicle Systems has completed testing to quantify the fuel savings and emissions benefits of Jacobs’ Cylinder Deactivation (CDA) technology. Test results showed that CDA reduced fuel consumption by 5% over the baseline in the Hot Federal Test Procedure cycle while increasing exhaust temperatures and limiting the cool-down of the selective catalytic reduction emissions system. Testing was conducted by an internationally known third-party laboratory and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency on a 13L Navistar engine equipped with CDA. The announcement was made in Atlanta during the Annual Meeting of the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council. CDA reduces NOx output by creating higher exhaust temperatures in the operating cylinders for optimal SCR operation. High temperatures necessary for optimal aftertreatment performance are maintained even when the engine is in low-load operation. With three cylinders of a six-cylinder engine deactivated, high exhaust gas temperatures can be maintained in the three operating cylinders. CDA also enables faster warm-up of the aftertreatment system after engine startup and minimizes cooling of aftertreatment substrate during coasting. To demonstrate the capability of the CDA system, the proposed California Air Resources Board "Low Load" cycle was evaluated, and CDA was found to raise the exhaust temperatures by about 50 degrees C, reducing tail-pipe NOx emissions by 86%. Fuel consumption (and CO2) was reduced by 12%. SCR NOx conversion increased from 48% (baseline) to 95% (CDA). Laboratory tests focused on the extent to which Jacobs’ CDA reduces NOx emissions during the low-load cycles representative of real-world driving conditions such as cold startups and frequent low-load and idle conditions that typically cause the most pollution due to a cool aftertreatment system. Testing also sought to quantify CO2 improvements at the same time. CDA is already proven to increase fuel economy and reduce tailpipe emissions in heavy-duty diesel engines, but Jacobs said it welcomed the opportunity to have these benefits independently measured. More extensive tests and results will be published under a joint paper at the April 2020 SAE World Congress. In November 2018, the EPA announced the need for additional nitrogen oxide (NOx) reductions in its Cleaner Trucks Initiative. This is especially important in areas of the U.S. with elevated levels of air pollution, a focus in California for the same reasons. Current heavy-duty truck rules for NOx, adopted in 2010, are expected to be replaced by new rules in the future. Jacobs introduced CDA technology last year in a new application of proprietary components originally designed for the company’s High Power Density engine brake. HPD employs mechanisms in the valve train to disable the opening of the intake and exhaust valves. Jacobs is now involved in numerous CDA development and demonstration projects on commercial vehicle powertrains around the world.

Hyliion Delivers First Class 8 Hybrid Vehicles to Penske Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) / February 26, 2020 Hyliion will provide three vehicles to Penske Truck Leasing equipped with its 6X4HE Class 8 hybrid system, using Spicer Electrified e-Powertrain components. The first of the program’s three vehicles were displayed in the Dana booth at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual meeting in Atlanta.The remaining vehicles will be delivered throughout the year, allowing Penske to complement its fleet with the combined Hyliion-Dana Class 8 electrified solution. .“Our hybrid electric system on their Class 8 sleeper truck will reduce fuel consumption while also improving the driver experience,” said Thomas Healy, CEO of Hyliion. “Our collaboration with Dana provided the opportunity to leverage its strong product development process and affiliation with leading fleets such as Penske to help foster this cooperative sustainability program for all key stakeholders.” The Hyliion 6X4HE Class 8 hybrid is full 6x4 configuration with traction boosting capability to improve fuel economy when climbing hills, and 7 kW/hr battery pack that can provide up to 10 hours of hoteling capability. "The hybrid arrangement allows fleets to take advantage of electrified powertrains right away rather than waiting for the grid to be fully built up and large-capacity charging stations installed around the country," says Steve Slesinski, Dana's director of Product Planning. "It does not require any plug in at all, in fact it uses regenerated energy from downhill coasting and regenerative braking." The Hyliion 6X4HE system is available for immediate ordering.