U.S. Fleets and Marijuana: Cutting Through the Confusion
By Mark Boada, Executive Editor
I've attended and tuned into several presentations about fleets and marijuana recently, and the overall impression I was left with was that U.S. fleets have been thrown into a confusing mess and dilemma when it comes to handling the issue with their drivers.
The big questions that the conversations have raised are: is it legal for fleet drivers to use marijuana in states where it's been legalized and can fleets legally test their drivers for marijuana use without violating their privacy?
But on further review, it looks, at least to me, a lot less confusing, if not pretty simple. Still, that's with the proviso that fleets need to be careful about their fleet driver policies and practices, and so should double-check with their legal and HR departments on some details.
But before clarifying the issues, first, let's look at reasons why fleet professionals may be confused. I count six:
Nearly Half Of UK Drivers Willing To Switch To On-Demand Mobility
Research carried out by Avis Budget Group for its ‘The Road Ahead: The Future of Mobility Report’ found that almost half (44%) of UK drivers claim that they are prepared to give up owning a car in favor of long-term rental and on-demand or subscription services.
These findings echo the firm’s global research which saw more than half (54%) of those surveyed say they are open to alternative mobility solutions.
The research also showed that whilst consumers are expectant of connected, integrated and on-demand services, they still want convenience at a reasonable price.
Read more of the article at Fleet World.
There’s Plenty Of Competion In The Electric Pickup Segment
Tesla is betting there’ll be significant demand for an all-electric pickup, but it’s not alone because at least seven other manufacturers, including established brands like General Motors and Ford, also are entering the market with battery trucks.
Nissan has already launched a smaller, all-electric pickup in China and is exploring the need for an electric option on its U.S. trucks which could include either the midsize Frontier or full-size Titan, and possibly both.
Start-ups, such as Rivian and Bollinger have brought out both an electric SUV and a pickup. Detroit-based Hercules Electric Vehicles and Atlis Motor Vehicles hope to enter the electric pickup market, along with Lordstown Motors which, this past month, formally acquired the abandoned GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio.
Read the article at The Detroit Bureau.
L.A. Has Olympic-Size Plan to Cut CO2 and Supercharge EV Use Ahead Of 2028 Games
Los Angeles is launching an initiative seeking a 25% cut in greenhouse gas reduction ahead of hosting the 2028 Olympic Games, lining up help from Nissan, Tesla, BMW, Audi, electric-bus makers Proterra and BYD, and public and private utilities.
The Transportation Electrification Partnership has specific goals laid out as the Zero Emissions 2028 Roadmap. Targets include 30% of L.A.-area personal passenger vehicles on the road being electric and ensuring that 40% of commercial truck trips are exhaust-free.
The Los Angeles region is already among the biggest markets for electric vehicles in the U.S. but would grow dramatically larger if the program’s goals are hit.
Read the article at Forbes.
Despite ‘Vision Zero’ Target, Some Cities See Traffic Fatalities Rise
Inspired by Sweden's lowest national traffic mortality rates in the world, dozens of cities in the United States have set a mission of eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries in ten years, with a plan named Vision Zero.
The basic logic of Vision Zero is that any traffic collision that results in death or serious injury is viewed as a tragedy that could be prevented through smarter engineering, education, and enforcement.
While some places have managed to bend their traffic fatality curves, others have struggled to budge a transportation status quo that prioritizes the ease of driving over the safety of other people on the road. Since 2013, the numbers of deaths among U.S. pedestrians and cyclists have risen by nearly 30 percent and 14 percent respectively, nationwide.
Read the article at CityLab.
