Practice Makes Perfect
By Laura Jozwiak, Senior Vice President of Sales and Client Relations, Wheels, Inc.
Did you watch the Super bowl? Did your team win? Whether you watched it or not, it was a great display of talent, competitiveness and endurance.
After the Philadelphia Eagles hoisted the Lombardi trophy, Tight End Zach Ertz was asked what made this Eagle team so special. His answer was that they love to practice. What a great reminder that the way you win is not what happens in one moment, but what happens and how you prepare over many moments. It is in daily meetings, weight lifting sessions, practice squads and dissecting game tape that the players improve on those small tweaks to separate them from the rest of the NFL pack to win their first Super Bowl.
How much practice does it actually take to be perfect? READ MORE
Alternative Energy Must be Part of Houston’s Landscape
Over the next two decades, electric cars are expected to be the fastest growing auto segment, threatening Houston's most important industry, unless the changing energy landscape is embraced.
Texas' Department of Transportation is now running six electric cars out of its Houston office and has had electric cars within its vehicle fleet since 2011 – with almost 30 vehicles in the rotation until the were flooded during Hurricane Harvey.
"We must ramp up our efforts to develop and attract alternative energy companies to complement the work we are already doing," Bob Harvey, the partnership's CEO, said in recent speech to Houston business leaders. " As the global energy mix evolves, we must ensure that we maintain our role as the 'Energy Capital of the World,' including 'new energy.'"
Read the article at Houston Chronicle.
U.S. Government Subsidies for EVs are Still Available – Sort Of
An attempt to clear up any confusion, or: is this any way to promote EVs?
By Mark Boada, Senior Editor
OK, so the federal government offers a tax credit if you buy electric vehicles, right? Well, actually, the correct answer is “Yes. No. And Maybe.” And you might well ask, “How can that be?”
It’s “yes” because the credit – which could reach as high as $7,500 – was set to expire as of the end of 2017, but was extended by the new tax law President Trump signed last December. But it’s “no” if you buy an EV in 2018, because the new tax law extended the credit only for purchases made in 2017. And it’s “maybe” because the credit could be extended again for 2018 or beyond, if Congress and Trump decide to later this year.
That doesn’t make it easy for fleets to plan, but it’s not the first time.
NTEA Releases 2018 Fleet Purchasing Outlook
NTEA recently published the 2018 Fleet Purchasing Outlook, which explores the commercial vehicle landscape and measures common acquisition incentives. This study is designed to give the work truck industry insight into the projected direction of the fleet community.
“The 2018 Fleet Purchasing Outlook is an essential tool for industry stakeholders,” said NTEA Executive Director Steve Carey. “It provides enhanced awareness of the fleet perspective and can help companies effectively navigate market fluctuations and understand vocational fleet purchasing trends.”
Data Collection – Getting to Know You Better
Car companies, parts suppliers, car-sharing startups, and ride-hailing giants—are in the business of collecting, compiling and selling data - mapping how you get around, what you buy, and where you go every day.
As an example - Uber has officially come for your commute with its new service, Express Pool, an app that asks riders to walk a block or so before meeting drivers.
A Cadillac CT6 equipped with General Motors’ Autopilot challenger, Super Cruise, can drive on most American and Canadian highways—but not everywhere. Its secret comes down to lasers. A lot of them.
Read the article at Wired.
