Confusing Changes to Two Key Federal Fleet Fuel Performance Metrics
All fleet programs should have goals and strategies for minimizing petroleum consumption and increasing alternative fuel consumption, as required by law, and strive for annual progress
By Adlore Chaudier, Associate Vice President, Mercury Associates
In 2018, the Trump administration issued confusing guidance on two core federal fleet performance metrics that affect fuel efficiency and the use of alternative fuels. These modifications are part of the overall “streamlining” of regulations across the federal government.
The changes in federal fleet management came about via an executive order signed by President Trump, which delegated overall responsibility for fleet strategy to the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Germany Welcomes Tesla Gigafactory to Berlin-Brandenburg Location
Tesla founder Elon Musk reportedly plans to establish its fourth so-called Gigafactory in the Brandenburg town of Grünheide as well as a design and engineering center in Berlin itself.
The project will create an estimated 10,000 jobs and is expected to be up and running by late 2021. The Brandenburg facility would produce batteries and both the Y Model and flagship Model 3.
“We’ve been talking to Tesla for around three years,” says GTAI CEO Robert Hermann. “Tesla’s decision reflects how attractive Germany is as a place of investment and technology, and its central location will make it possible for the company to expand quickly into further European Union markets.”
Read the article at Germany Trade & Invest.
The 10 Most Reliable Vehicles for 2020
When it comes to cars and how reliable they are, keep in mind that newer isn't necessarily better, according to Consumer Reports' latest “Auto Reliability Survey.”
Updated models or entirely new replacements for outdated models often come with new technology or applications that can be prone to problems.
“When you redesign a new vehicle, often you get better fuel economy, better safety, potentially better features,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports. “But if you want … reliability, your best bet is to wait a year or two until those initial growing pains have been worked out.”
Read the article at The Detroit Bureau.
It Will Take More Than A Cool App To Get People Out Of Their Cars
“Mobility as a Service” (MaaS) boosters say that technology can nudge drivers to adopt transit and micromobility, but that isn't enough to liberate cities from our reliance on automobility.
Technology platforms that allow commuters to easily book and plan trips across an array of urban transportation services—including transit, bikeshare, ride hail, e-scooters, and more, could help wean them off privately owned automobiles, but not if the bus only runs once an hour, or you have to ride that scooter or bike on a street shared with cars and trucks zooming by at 45 miles per hour.
Without supportive policies and investment decisions, such as new taxpayer funding, the smartest MaaS technology in the world won’t be able lower all the barriers to living a car-free lifestyle.
Read the article at City Lab.
Driving Dynamics’ Cormier Talks Driver Safety Tech at the IP Utility Safety Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina
Driving Dynamics Inc. announced Carl Cormier, senior driving instructor for the company, will present: “The Brave New World of Technology and Driver Safety: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” on Wednesday, November 20th from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at the upcoming utility fleet conference.
His session will focus on educating participants about the safety challenges utility fleet drivers face in an era of emerging technologies and how these new tools and systems can help and potentially hurt fleets from a liability perspective.
