The cargo van has long been the first choice of vocational wheels. While it seems like the cargo van has been with us forever, it’s only been 60 years. Here is its brief history, from infancy to electric!

In the early 1960’s, every van in America was designed with the engine a few feet in front of the driver’s cabin. And with exception of new technologies and minor stylistic changes, today’s American vans remain largely unaltered. From their humble beginnings in the 1960s to the current developments in electric vans, cargo vans have evolved to meet the changing demands of businesses.

No other company in the world will upfit vans with custom shelves and ladder racks, wrap them with your company signage, and deliver anywhere in the lower 48 states. The cargo van has a rich history—contact Kingbee Vans today to experience what a cargo van can do for you.

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By Karen Henry, Sr. Vice-President of Human Resources, Wheels

I am a Black woman and I have worked in the fleet management industry for almost five years. In my role at the new Wheels, I am responsible for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). In March, I attended NAFA for the first time to participate in a panel discussion about building an effective DE&I strategy.

Diversity means so much more than the technical and legal description. To me, diversity is not only about different ethnicities, genders and ages–although those things are of paramount importance. To me, diversity has a more global meaning as well, addressing the various constructs, experiences, upbringings and educational backgrounds each of us brings to the table.

It starts with valuing and appreciating diversity and seeing people for who they are. Once you start, you are already that much closer to achieving your goals.

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By Brian Kinniry, Senior Director of Product Management, The CEI Group

Automated Driver Assistance Systems have revolutionized driver safety in the past 20 years. As a result, auto manufacturers are adding more advanced safety features to every model year. ADAS improves road safety.

Even the best safety technology demands total driver commitment to understanding and accepting the proper use of the ADAS. Ignorance of ADAS capabilities and its limitations, or the over-reliance of systems, both define Driver ADAS Impairment.

While ADAS features can provide valuable assistance to drivers, it is important for drivers to remain vigilant and attentive while driving and not to rely solely on these systems.

Drivers should also take the time to learn how to properly use and adjust ADAS features to minimize any potential distractions.

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During a virtual media call, General Motors president of North America, Rory Harvey stated that the 2024 Silverado EV WT (Work Truck) will get an EPA-estimated 450 miles on a single charge.

That’s an impressive number when you consider the Ford F-150 Lightning’s best of 320 miles, the Rivian R1T’s 314 miles, the GMC Hummer EV pickup’s 329 miles, and the estimated mileage of the upcoming Ram 1500 Rev coming in around 350 miles. Harvey reiterated that the WT model is aimed at fleet customers and that “gives [GM] a competitive advantage” in terms of those buyers.

via MotorTrend

The state of Colorado wants to give away $7 million to businesses, local governments, nonprofits and other entities that want to electrify their vehicle fleets. The Colorado Energy Office is now accepting applications for its Fleet-ZERO grant program. It’s meant to complement another grant program for clean fleet vehicles.

Fleet vehicles tend to be on the road a lot. They account for less than 10 percent of vehicles on the road in Colorado but are responsible for 22 percent of road-based greenhouse gas emissions. That means converting fleets can have an outsized impact on pollution reduction, Matt Lerman, infrastructure program manager at the Colorado Energy Office stated.

via Colorado Public Radio News

ChargeX, an EV industry consortium announced by the US Department of Energy (DOE) with a mission to improve public EV charging reliability and usability by June 2025. The plan is to make sure that customers achieve first-time plug-in success every time they use public EV chargers.

The consortium is made of up nearly 30 companies and growing, including Tesla, Electrify America, ChargePoint, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Tritium. The group is going to build on the foundation for charging reliability established by the minimum standards for projects funded under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

via Electrek

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is issuing a request for public comment on new pedestrian crashworthiness tests. The New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, measures how well vehicles protect those outside the vehicle, which can reduce pedestrian fatalities.

“Ensuring the safety of pedestrians is a top priority at DOT, and these proposed updates to NCAP are an important step in addressing the crisis of roadway deaths in America,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson. “Vehicles must be designed to protect their occupants while increasing safety for those outside the vehicle, too.”

via NHTSA

Texas senators voted 20-11 in favor of ending vehicle safety inspections. Some Republican lawmakers have tried for years to shut down the state’s inspection program, saying inspections are an inconvenience to drivers and do not improve road safety.

Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) urged his colleagues to keep inspections, saying lives are at stake. Johnson pointed to a new American Society of Civil Engineers study that found inspection programs have reduced car crash deaths across the country. States that have vehicle safety inspections have 5.5% fewer fatalities per year than states that don’t have inspection programs.

Even if the inspections go away, the state will still get your money. The current bill would simply convert the $7.50 inspection fee the state collects to a new charge drivers would pay when they register their cars.

via NBCDFW

By Alex Horowitz

If your fleet is like most, the budget is likely to be one of your foremost priorities, since it is a crucial asset for most fleets. In fact, a healthy budget can mean the difference between keeping your trucks on the road or letting them sit in the yard.

Depending on the scope of your budget, the amount of money you have available may be the most important thing you manage on a daily basis. It’s not just about spending money; it’s about prioritizing spending, managing cash flow, and maintaining a healthy budget for your business.

Prioritizing spending is an essential part of any business, but especially so for companies in the trucking industry. With so many factors to consider when deciding how to spend your fleet budget, it’s easy to get lost in the details.

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By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor, Fleet Management Weekly

Leaseplan Canada’s Central Regional Director of Sales and Client Services Jennifer Chapman has been a member of the Canadian fleet management community for over 20 years. In that time, she has earned both CAFM and ASE certifications and has demonstrated the ability to manage and collaborate with teams and implement processes that deliver the best solutions for her clients.

Here, she took the time to answer questions about her background and perspective about the fleet industry.

How did you land in the fleet industry? Like most people in Fleet, I kind of fell into the industry. When I went to college, there was no “automotive fleet” class or program like there is today. But once I was in the industry, I fell in love with it.

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