By Ed Pierce, FMW Contributing Editor

In today’s B2B remote work environment, buyers have fewer opportunities for face-to-face sales calls and developing relationships than in the past. Instead, establishing and building relationships depends more and more on digital connectivity tools and media.

Coincidentally, tech-savvy millennials are making more B2B purchase decisions. And they are more inclined to rely on communications technology for their interactions with product and service providers. These time-strapped managers are more likely to visit supplier and peer review websites and more likely to attend supplier-hosted webinars before ever meeting with a sales rep.

In this digital business world, a vendor’s digital channels – website, social media, search engine and banner advertising – are more than likely the impetus for a buyer to meet with a sales representative. So, aligning marketing and sales tactics to create a single, synergistic strategy is critical.

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By Brian Calhoun, Motus

Whether gasoline or groceries, the cost of goods have escalated across the country, impacting people everywhere.

While we often read about consumers feeling the effects of inflation, companies face their fair share of difficult decisions as they explore possible steps to keep their businesses afloat and maintain profits.

While large enterprises will likely be more insulated from the impact that growing costs inevitably have, small businesses are gearing up to make tough decisions as they grapple with rising supply and labor costs.

For those seeking guidance on inflation-proofing their business, there are three key small business tips to keep in mind.

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With the Western U.S. facing a record September heat wave that is stressing its electric grid, some have asked if the region – and the entire nation – can handle an increasing number of electric cars and trucks.

Some of this, of course, is just bloviation from ideologues who want to keep American addicted to oil.

Putting the misleading hyperbole aside, it’s a reasonable question to ask if our electric grid can handle all the electric vehicles (EVs) we need to address the climate crisis (which is what’s actually responsible for the heat emergency that’s straining the electric grid today).

The short answer is: Yes, EVs can easily be charged when there’s spare capacity on the grid.

The longer answer is: EVs can improve the resilience and reliability of the grid, especially if we put in place common sense policies and technologies.

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September 9, 2022 – It was a good week for electrified commercial vehicles as several companies joined forces or announced new products in parallel efforts to accelerate production of electric commercial trucks and vans.

Mercedes-Benz Vans and Rivian signed a memorandum of understanding to create a strategic partnership and launch joint production of large electric vans in Europe under both brands’ badges. EV manufacturer Mullen Automotive Inc. announced that it acquired a controlling interest in EV truck maker Bollinger Motors.

Harbinger, a Los Angeles-based automotive manufacturer, announced the official launch of its new commercial EV platform in the medium-duty category. Harbinger’s initial product line will include electric stripped chassis and cab chassis designed around the performance, durability, and lifespan characteristics required in Class 4 to Class 7.

via The Detroit Bureau

September 12, 2022 – Every day, thousands of trucks drive along miles of freeways and highways completely empty – and the distances they drive with zero cargo onboard reaches many billions of miles every year.

Trucking companies ideally need one customer (or customers) for the outward journey and another for the return. If they don’t have two customers, vehicles run empty. But, as well as needing a shipment for the return journey, they also need a truck that matches their load, with equipment such as refrigeration or a vehicle with a fork-lift attached.

It’s a problem that Loadsmart is trying to tackle. A year ago, it launched a platform called Flatbed Messenger to match empty trucks with shippers needing to transport goods.

via CNBC

September 13, 2022 – Today, Electrify America announced plans to install 30 electric fleet-dedicated chargers paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS) at the Port of Long Beach, California, as part of Electrify America’s $25 million “Green City” investment in the region at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Teaming with trucking company 4 Gen Logistics, Electrify America is building on its commitment to provide charging infrastructure to the City of Long Beach to support 4 Gen’s 60 electric trucks conducting drayage operations in Southern California.

Onsite, behind-the-meter battery energy storage systems (BESS) will be installed at the Port of Long Beach to further facilitate the fleet-dedicated charging infrastructure. The battery energy storage systems store power when electricity costs are low and supplement power during high points of consumption, minimizing impact on the electrical grid and mitigating demand surges.

Read the Press Release

September 10, 2022 – Nissan has been doing vehicle-to-grid trials with Fermata Energy and has approved the first ever bi-directional charger for mass-market use with a Nissan LEAF.

“Ideal for companies with fleet vehicles, the Fermata Energy Demand Charge Management application, along with the FE-15 charger, continuously monitors a building’s electrical loads, and may draw on the Nissan LEAF’s energy to provide power to the building during more expensive high-demand periods. In states with utility demand response programs, bi-directional-enabled Nissan LEAF vehicles (MY2013 and later) are able to safely send energy stored in the battery to the grid during peak energy demand times, such as in summer months.”

It is great to simply have an option on the table for consumers who really want V2G tech.

via CleanTechnica

Interest in Ford’s BlueCruise, and luxury counterpart Lincoln’s ActiveGlide, has encouraged the automaker to improve its hands-free technology offering that will be available on 2023 model vehicles.

More than 130,000 miles of US roads are now equipped with Hands-Free Blue Zone technology, which alerts appropriately equipped vehicles of its presence,

“We are investing in our ADAS team to constantly improve BlueCruise and ActiveGlide for our customers,” said Doug Field, Chief EV & Digital Systems Officer, Ford Model e.

“The latest improvements allow customers to command lane changes using just a turn signal, and make hands-free driving feel more human-like by smoothly slowing down for turns and giving more room to large vehicles in neighboring lanes. These improvements are just the beginning of a constant journey toward improving safety and, in the future, giving customers valuable time back.”

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October 5-6 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest or with Online Participation

By Ed Pierce, Contributing editor, Fleet Management Weekly

“NETS annual conference is the perfect time to learn from experts and road safety advocates about the state of road safety today and tomorrow,” says NETS Executive Director Susan Gillies-Hipp.

“The conference is unique in that participants from a variety of industry sectors can share best practices, talk to others who have similar interests, and get the latest information about technology and success stories that can be applied to their own fleets.

“In addition, the conference is when NETS shares the results of our annual Benchmark report, providing exclusive insight into the comparison of leading road safety programs and the identification of best practices to put into place a cost-effective, integrated, and comprehensive plan to improve road safety performance.”

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By Ed Dubens, CEO/Founder of eDriving

Companies don’t operate in a vacuum. They affect the world in myriad ways, and if organizations employ drivers, they undoubtedly have an impact on those around them on the road every day.

Investing in Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) initiatives demonstrates corporate commitment to your employees and the communities in which they operate.

One such initiative that can produce measurable ESG impact is implementation of a formal driver safety program. Through such programs, enterprises can help reduce the environmental impact of its fleet activity, while boosting their social impact by reducing the severity and frequency of collisions and helping to ensure that employees driving for work purposes return safely to their loved ones and communities at the end of each day.

While many enterprises currently employ a driver safety program, there are several components that must be included to achieve holistic and sustainable results that demonstrate action in relation to ESG objectives.

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