Glen Sokolis Advises Outsourcing Fuel Management

Glen Sokolis, Sokolis Group president, offers advice on the benefits of outsourcing a company's fuel management process. This includes finding a professional company to manage the purchase of fuel and calculating how much money this could save.

EcoMotors Makes Development Deal with Navistar

EcoMotors International, a start-up backed by Bill Gates and Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, has signed a development agreement with Navistar International, at a time when truck and engine builders face steep fuel economy and emissions standards. Known as the EcoMotors? OPOC engine, developers claim it can run on either regular unleaded gasoline, diesel, or natural gas.

 

Smart Fortwo EVs Still Coming Out, First to Fleets

Transfer of Smart USA from Penske to Mercedes-Benz USA has killed plans for a Nissan-developed Smart 4-door, but isn't likely to upset the battery-electric version of the 2-seater. Commercial fleets are expected to buy most of the 250 Smart Fortwo EDs as they become available.

 

Are Vehicle Data Recorders Safety Benefit or Privacy Curse?

The Department of Transportation and the National Highway Transportation Administration are considering the installation of data recorders or "black boxes" on all passenger vehicles. Data from "event data recorders" on Toyotas permitted the DOT and NHTSA to determine the unintended acceleration on Toyotas was not caused by faulty electronics. Privacy advocates argue that vehicle tracking by GPS and the data these recorders produce must be protected and not available without release by the vehicle owner or by court order.

 

Insurance Companies Embrace Telematics

The use of technology to measure a driver's behavior behind the steering wheel is being used by insurance companies in the fleet industry to not only measure usage and harsh driving but also to measure safety and driver behavior. This permits insurance companies to better manage risk. Insurance companies are embracing a proactive approach in partnering with telematics companies and offer these services to their fleet customers.