The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/307131
The lithium iron phosphate batteries are "the safest and most reliable of all the dif- ferent lithium technologies, with a life span of 3,000 cycles or more and only one-third of the weight compared to lead-acid batteries," the company's website says. They are carried below the floor and protected by a composite enclosure. If Bliss and his sales team manage to place these in greater numbers with first-adopting fleets, you may see more of the unusual-looking trucks zipping down streets and roads. ■ 32 HDT • MAY 2014 www.truckinginfo.com FuelSmarts CASCADE SIERRA SOLUTIONS CLOSES DOORS C ascade Sierra Solu- tions is winding down operations owing $19 mil- lion to banks and other creditors, after it took in more than $60 million from various government agencies along with private money. A receiver has been appointed. Founded in 2006, the Oregon- based company served as a bridge between truck owners and govern- ment agencies to arrange grants or low-interest loans for truck owners to purchase "green" equipment. The money was for anti-idling devices such as auxiliary power units and shore power connections, as well as diesel particulate filters and other emissions technology. MORE CNG TRUCKS FOR TAMPA T he City of Tampa is adding more compressed natural gas trucks to its refuse fleet to help reduce the city's fuel bill, which has reached $1.6 million annu- ally. The city added the first five CNG- powered refuse trucks in 2013, and will add another five this summer. An additional 10-15 will be added by the end of the year. DISH ROLLS OUT FLEET OF PROPANE VANS D ish announced that it deployed 47 customer service vans fu- eled by propane autogas in the Los Angeles area. The fleet of clean- burning Roush CleanTech Ford E-250 cargo vans will emit 3.2 mil- lion fewer pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifetime. CON-WAY FREIGHT DEPLOYING TRAILER SKIRTS C on-way Freight is outfitting its line-haul trailer fleet with DuraPlate AeroSkirts to increase overall fleet fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The carrier contracted with Wabash Composites to retrofit some 16,000 trailers . FUEL in the News The Boulder EV's bulbous cab contrasts with more conventional- looking trucks at NTEA event. The cab is made of lightweight com- posite materials and is roomy inside. The driver sits close to the windshield and slightly ahead of the side doors. On the dash is a rotary switch marked R-N-D, and a handbrake is used for parking. F u e l s m a r t s _ M a y . i n d d 3 2 Fuel smarts_May.indd 32 4 / 3 0 / 1 4 1 2 : 2 9 P M 4/30/14 12:29 PM