By Adam Danielson, Director, Business Development & Sales, SuperVision

Now more than ever, safety has become a top priority for many fleets.

In addition to protecting drivers and the public, companies are realizing that a focus on safety also maximizes company assets and cuts unnecessary operational costs.

As a result, driver training programs are becoming more comprehensive and effective, helping to improve driver risk profiles and curtail liability costs from accidents.

But these benefits are only part of the safety story.

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By Carlos Oropeza, Wheels

Recently, I was struck by an essay written by a teenage relative. How often have any of us been in this place of being “stuck” and yet not recognizing it as a mental health issue?

I don’t need to tell you that being a fleet professional is stressful. We face numerous challenges that keep us up at night, such as cost reduction, driver safety, doing more with less, staying up to date with data for strategic decisions, and staying on top of the latest fleet trends.

As a fleet family, let’s look out for one another and offer a helping hand if we see someone struggling because they are stranded on the side of the emotional road. There are so many mental health resources available, but the first step is to acknowledge your situation.

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Colorado state officials are dangling $7 million to changeover fossil fuel use in the state to clean-generated electricity.

The fund is part of $310 million in electrification funding available through the Colorado Energy Office and other state agencies in coming years. The budget is also committed to tax credits for new and used electric vehicle purchases.

Fleet ZERO offers grants for building fast charging stations to local governments or private businesses that run large groups of light-, medium- or heavy-duty electric vehicles.

The government has done its job requiring manufacturers to produce increasing percentages of clean electric vehicles of all sizes, state regulators say, and now Colorado must ease the change with grants for charging and other support systems.

via Yellowscene

Hyundai has been on a roll in the US as the automaker embraces the industry’s transition to electric vehicles. The automaker says EV leases are climbing as buyers take advantage of the tax credit provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

After the new IRA guidelines took effect in April, electric models with assembly or battery minerals sourced outside the US or its free trade partners lost eligibility. A recent update from the IRS allows foreign-assembly models to bypass the law if the vehicles are leased rather than purchased outright. This is because leases are interpreted as commercial business in the law and, as a result, are eligible for the $7,500 tax credit.

via Electrek

If you own a late-model Stellantis vehicle, you might notice something odd. A warning may pop up on your center screen, your radio or nav covered by a single black box with two lines of text: “CAUTION” “Emergency Vehicle Approaching.”

Fifteen seconds later, you start hearing sirens and seeing lights — there are emergency vehicles approaching. How did the car figure it out before you did?

The answer has nothing to do with light sensors or microphones. Instead, it relies on cloud-based software for tracking emergency vehicles. It’s called Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol, or HELP, and it alerts nearby vehicles when an ambulance, fire truck, or other emergency vehicle needs to get by.

via Jalopnik

Families looking for a safe, practical set of wheels for a recent high school graduate or other young driver can choose among 46 used vehicles and 16 new ones on this year’s teen vehicle list from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR).

“As parents, we can’t control what happens on the road once our teen driver pulls out of the driveway,” says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center. “But we do have some say in the type of vehicle they drive off in, and that can make a huge difference. This list can help parents find vehicles that check all the boxes.”

via IIHS

A host of car manufacturers may follow Ford’s lead in partnering with Tesla to gain access to the electric carmaker’s expansive network of Superchargers across the United States.

The deal between Ford and Tesla will see the former send adapters to owners from next year allowing their EVs to be charged through the Tesla Supercharger network. In 2025, Ford will then start to produce EVs with the Tesla charging port, officially known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), replacing the current Combined Charging System (CCS) port. Tesla currently has approximately 17,000 charging stations across the United States and Ford’s EV owners will gain access to 12,000 of them from next year.

via CarScoops

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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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 Tanner Lee, Copywriter, Kingbee Vans

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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