Upfitters Help Fleets Prepare to Thrive in an EV World
A Canadian upfitter that’s been aggressively pushing into the US fleet space, Ranger Design is a family-owned business focused on helping fleets successfully transition to electric vehicles.
In an effort to better respond to the exploding EV market, Ranger Design is expanding, opening new facilities in Seattle, WA, on the West coast and Charleston, SC, on the East coast.
“It’s an exciting time for both our industry and our company,” said Peter Young, EVP of Business Development at Ranger Design. “We know that in order for fleets to successfully transition to EVs, they can’t rely on the old ways of doing things, which means Ranger’s focus on innovation is something they can rely on as they face the challenges of EV adoption.”
Fleet Advantage Shines Spotlight on Truck Drivers, Warehouse Operators and Families
Fleet Advantage sponsored 'Kids Essay Contest' illustrated the importance drivers and warehouse staff mean to their employers and families.
The company returned for a seventh straight year to sponsor the annual contest at the 2023 International Foodservice Distributor Association’s (IFDA) National Championship.
“We are extremely proud of our nation’s drivers and operators, and we have long believed that it’s important to recognize the daily sacrifices these families make for our economy,” said Katerina Jones, Chief Marketing Officer for Fleet Advantage.
Holman Introduces Full Suite of Fleet Electrification Solutions
Holman introduced a comprehensive collection of fleet electrification solutions designed to simplify the transition to EVs for fleet operators.
“The journey to fleet electrification is far more complex than simply determining which EV model is the best fit for your business. You also need to consider and plan for infrastructure development, power needs, charging locations, driver behavior, charge data management, etc.,” said Emily Graham, Director of Sustainability & Electrification as a Service (EaaS), Holman.
A Shortage of These Vital Professionals is Killing Electric Vehicles in America
The EV charging network in the United States is in a lot of trouble. Despite all the promises of new public EV chargers, there is one crucial element missing from the pot – the people to install and maintain them. The country’s electrification push, including EV charging and solar panels will require at least 142,000 more certified electricians by the Biden Administration’s 2030 deadline.
There is a strong demand for electricians, as clean energy in itself requires lots of them, but, the job is not easy to be qualified for. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricians need four to five years of apprenticeship experience before getting a license on top of having a certification to work on EV chargers.
I-95 is Going to Become an Electric Truck Charging Corridor
Clean transportation nonprofit CALSTART and utility National Grid have each been given $1.2 million US Department of Energy grants to lay the foundation to turn I-95, one of the US’s most heavily traveled freight routes, into a zero-emissions freight corridor.
CALSTART and National Grid will each develop 20-year demand forecasts after determining what locations, contributors, and processes will be needed to electrify the longest north-south interstate in the US. The two organizations will collaborate during the two-year initiative to create a roadmap for states, utilities, businesses, and local areas to plan and build an electric truck charging network across 15 states. Both will also seek input from fleet operators, the EV charging industry, utilities, and local communities.
