SUVs No Longer Pose Outsize Risk to Car Occupants, But Pickup Compatibility Lags
New research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that today’s SUVs aren’t a major threat to occupants of smaller vehicles.
Pickups still represent an outsize danger when they crash with cars. In 2013-16, pickups were 2½ times as likely to be involved in a crash that was fatal for a car or minivan driver than other cars and minivans were.
Higher curb weight doesn’t seem to play as big a role in protecting SUV and pickup occupants as it once did. Reducing the weight of the heaviest vehicles for better fuel economy — for example, by switching from steel to aluminum — can improve safety for other road users without sacrificing occupant protection.
Read the article at IIHS.
Holman Parts Distribution Among Winners of the Department of Energy’s Battery Recycling Prize
Holman Parts Distribution has been named among the Phase I winners of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Battery Recycling Prize.
Holman Parts Distribution is one of 15 winners who were selected based on their proposed concept to solve the current challenges associated with collecting, sorting, storing, and transporting discarded lithium-ion batteries effectively and efficiently for recycling.
“We are incredibly proud to be honored alongside this esteemed collection of innovators. This recognition further validates our unwavering commitment to establishing sustainable practices which enable our industry to operate smarter, safer, and cleaner while also serving as stewards of the environment,” said Anne Williams, president, Holman Parts Distribution. “Many of our employees spent countless hours developing our proposed solution and we’re extremely excited to begin transforming our concept into a reality during Phase II of this process.”
Read the press release at Holman Parts Distribution.
Peterbilt Delivers First Medium Duty Electric Model 220EV to Frito-Lay
Peterbilt Motors Company announced the delivery of the first Peterbilt Model 220EV to Frito-Lay.
Six battery electric Model 220EV medium-duty trucks will be used by PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division as part of its Modesto, California, Zero- and Near Zero-Emission Freight Facility Project (ZANZEFF) announced on October 3.
“Peterbilt continues to lead the charge in electric commercial vehicle development. With Frito-Lay’s Model 220EV, Peterbilt will have 15 battery electric trucks in three applications – city delivery, regional haul and refuse—in customers’ hands running real routes and collecting real world validation data,” said Jason Skoog, PACCAR Vice President and Peterbilt General Manager.
The zero-emission 220EV is powered by two battery packs with a total capacity of 148 kWh and a Meritor Blue-Horizon two-speed drive eAxle. It features a range of more than 100 miles and a recharge time of one hour, making it an ideal option for local pick-up and delivery operations. The vehicle also provides the premium performance and driver experience customers expect from Peterbilt.
Read more at Peterbilt.
The Work Fleet Forum
Happening November 11-13, 2019 at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, The Work Fleet Forum is the meeting place for fleet leaders and fleet management solutions providers. Watch the video to learn more.
Tennessee Office of Vehicle and Asset Management Wins Fleet Excellence Award
The National Conference of State Fleet Administrators (NCSFA) has honored the Tennessee Department of General Services, Office of Vehicle and Asset Management with its annual Fleet Excellence Award.
Bob Williams, Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Vehicle and Asset Management accepted the award at the 2019 Workshop.
The NCSFA selection committee noted the work the Office of Vehicle and Asset Management has accomplished the past five years to be selected for this honor. Through the implementation of new hiring practices, an updated training curriculum, utilizing telework for eligible employees, and a thorough review of their business practices to eliminate wasteful steps, the office has evolved to become a more efficient operation.
Read the release at NCSFA.
