PG&E and EDI Unveil Utility Trucks Capable of Shortening or Eliminating Electric Outages
Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Efficient Drivetrains Incorporated (EDI) have unveiled two new utility trucks, including the industry’s first electric hybrid drivetrain Class 5 truck featuring 120 kilowatts of exportable power capable of providing power to homes and businesses during outages
The vehicles feature the “EDI Drive” plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) system, which provides up to 30 miles of all-electric range and an additional 300 miles of range in PHEV mode and an 80% reduction in emissions when compared to conventional trucks. In addition, these vehicles are the industry’s first to also offer both parallel and series hybrid modes, allowing the vehicle to maximize fuel efficiency in both highway and in-city driving conditions.
READ MORE to learn about the capabilities
Businesses Providing Company Vehicles Are More Likely to Retain Employees, Finds GE Capital Fleet Services Survey
A recent GE Capital Fleet Services survey indicates businesses that provide company cars are more likely to retain employees than those that reimburse personal vehicle usage for work purposes. Notably, 87 percent of current company car users and 63 percent of personal vehicle users would not consider another company if it did not offer a company vehicle.
“With the impact of not providing a company vehicle being felt in both human resources and on the bottom line, businesses should evaluate if a company-provided vehicle can better contribute to their combined cost-saving and employee retention goals.”
Is It Illegal to Use the Apple Watch While Driving?
In conjunction with the typical Internet feeding frenzy that goes hand in hand with the announcement of each new iPhone, Apple has been cited in countless headlines recently after its debut of its new Apple Watch on September 9. The so-called "smartwatch" is far from an industry first – Samsung, Motorola and Pebble all have models on the market, and who can forget 2003's Fossil Wrist PDA? – but as per usual, Apple's entry is garnering more than its fair share of media attention.
The Apple Watch ("iWatch" to many) has also raised interest of a more ominous sort from certain regulatory bodies. Last week, multiple automotive outlets in the United Kingdom ran stories quoting officials from that country's Department for Transport as saying that use of an iWatch while driving would carry the same penalty as use of a mobile phone. For the Brits, then, getting nabbed checking an alert on one's wrist might mean the same 100-pound fine (about $160) that was instated last August.
The Evolution of Excellent Driver Training
Driver training from ADTS evolved out of driver training for police officers in the Philadelphia area, and has grown to over 300 locations per year that are taught by 100 different uniquely qualified instructors.
A Winning AFLA Conference!
We thought the AFLA 2014 Conference held last week in Las Vegas was superb! The gala dinner on Tuesday night was a very special event, and perhaps especially so for Gage Wagoner of Phillips Electronics who was named Fleet Manager of the Year and Ingrid Joris of Ingersoll Rand who was honored with the Fleet Executive of the Year award. AFLA next graced their venerable Fleet Hall of Fame with four new inductees: Patsy Brownson, Stephen Levine, Brian McVeigh, and Bob Ward. Kudos to these winners and to the entire AFLA leadership team!
We feature a new columnist this week, Randy Shadley, CAFM. Hardly new to the industry (and to many of you), Randy modestly calls himself a “well-rounded and well-seasoned” fleet professional. He is also an expert on fleet safety and this week talks about liability and personal use, citing a specific case with a surprising outcome that has ramifications for virtually all fleets. Read his column in Fleet Safety.
Hurry: Register for NAFA's International Fleet Academy by September 30th and take advantage of early-bird pricing! You don't want to miss this conference if your job responsibilities have expanded outside of North America!
Janice Sutton
Executive Editor
