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The Drive The price of lithium-ion batteries is far from the only obstacle slowing electric vehicle adoption in the United States. Behind the battery supply hurdle is another, equally large barrier, one America must contend with if it’s to democratize the electric car: The well-meaning, but utterly broken $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs. The financial incentive is only fully available to car buyers above a specific threshold of income. Shoppers below that mark, who are more likely to shop economy cars than a fancy Tesla, pay less in taxes and thus receive reduced tax breaks, which by virtue of being smaller won’t be as influential in their car selection process. As advocated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the incentive should be awarded at the time of purchase, rather than be locked away for months until tax season. Point-of-sale rebates, these are called. Read the article at The Drive. |
CNN Business Car dealer lots have only a fraction of the vehicles — both new and used — that they typically have. That’s helping send prices to record levels and lifting the nation’s overall inflation rate. And the price increases aren’t over yet. Wholesale prices for used cars sold at auction are up 39% since the start of this year, according to other data from JD Power. Retail used car prices are up a more modest 20% in the same period. That’s also a significant jump for this time of year, and the higher wholesale prices are pointing to bigger increases on the way. Strong sales and limited supply — are feeding the price boom. “It’s a perfect storm,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist for Cox Automotive. “If you’re not willing to pay near sticker price, there’s someone behind you who is. These issues will likely be with us through at least the rest of this year.” Read the article at CNN Business. |
Ford Media Center Further underscoring its commitment to deliver durable, cost-effective vehicles to commercial customers, Ford today was honored with 2021 Price Digests Highest Retained Value Awards for three F-Series trucks. The annual awards recognize the top commercial trucks expected to retain the most value over the next five years. The Truck Blue Book analyst team at Price Digests estimated that the Ford F-250 Super Duty, winner in the Light Duty Trucks Cab and Chassis category, would have the best retained value overall at 59.28%. Two Ford chassis cabs also won – Ford F-350 Super Duty took the Light Duty Trucks Crew Cab and Chassis category, while Ford F-550 was tops in the Medium Duty Trucks Crew Cab and Chassis category. Read the article at Ford Media Center. |
Autoblog Detecting whether a driver is drunk is relatively straightforward, police officers do it nightly, but neatly integrating a detection system into a car’s cockpit is easier said than done. The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), has developed what it describes as “a fully passive, non-invasive alcohol detection system” for commercial and fleet vehicles. Before starting their engine, drivers must exhale in the direction of a small sensor that can be integrated into the steering column or the A pillar. It detects their breath alcohol concentration and provides a pass/fail rating, so it doesn’t make the distinction between one beer and nine. Car manufacturers note that some of the more advanced drunk-detection systems, like driver monitoring systems, are unreliable. This technology can detect whether a driver is paying attention to the road ahead, yet it’s not accurate enough to tell if you’re drunk. Read the article at Autoblog. |
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 Fleet Logistics is seeing increased demand for its global reporting platform on the back of the growing movement to fleet electrification and sustainability reporting amongst international fleet operators. Some 50% of Fleet Logistics clients now have embedded recurring sustainability reporting at a global level, and there has been a 100% increase year-on-year in demand for electrification consulting projects. The news comes against a Cornish backdrop of the UK-hosted G7 Summit of the world’s most powerful nations which have all committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest, with deep emissions reduction targets in the 2020s. With a shrinking window of opportunity, Fleet Logistics reports that many major international companies with divisions in all parts of the world and operating thousands of vehicles, are now looking to evaluate their existing vehicle fleets in terms of carbon emissions, power train make-up and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). READ MORE |
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 By Steve Bender, CEO, Fleet Street Remarketing The last year has been hard for fleets, that’s for sure. And for allied service providers like Fleet Street, equally as challenging as well. From dealing with a virus that has threatened people’s well-being, to embracing a new world of protocols that changed the way we do business, let’s all hope the worst days of the pandemic are behind us. Perhaps worse than anything, the pandemic has caused all of us to lose that critical “human connection” that all of us crave, and that was so vital to our wonderfully vibrant industry. For fleet, the changes have been stark, and real. From working tirelessly to ensure top service to going without seeing our customers, colleagues and friends at great events like AFLA and NAFA, the past 15 months has been a tumultuous time virtually none of us could have imagined outside of a Hollywood soundstage. READ MORE |
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 By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor Despite the disruption in business caused by last year’s pandemic, the fundamentals of the UK fleet industry, like the US, remain strong, says Martin Brown, Managing Director of Fleet Alliance headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland. As in the US, highlights include the rapid growth in EV registrations; advances in telematics and its integration with 5G and artificial intelligence (AI). The UK’s long-standing commitment to environmental concerns is helping to shape fleet decisions, too. Founded in 2002, Glasgow-based Fleet Alliance Ltd. manages just over 30,000 vehicles with a combined asset value of about £1 billion. In line with the industry’s strength, Martin is pleased to report that Fleet Alliance is heading for a potential record year. “If you told me 12 months ago that we’d see that level of growth, I wouldn’t have believed you,” admits Martin. “Yet, despite fewer business miles being driven in the past year, that change might be a better fit for electric vehicles.” READ MORE |
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