PragmaCharge Launches Electric Trucking-as-a-Service for Commercial Fleets in UK, Europe
PragmaCharge is set to launch an all-encompassing Electric Trucking-as-a-Service platform. The newly established firm’s offering encompasses leasing Battery Electric Trucks (BETs) and deploying charging infrastructure, named PragmaCharge-Hubs.
The firm’s offering includes a cloud-based Fleet Management Software Platform providing a comprehensive range of services such as simple mileage-based BET leasing contracts, runtime analytics, as well as fleet performance and analytics.
With the backing of industry leaders and a business model that addresses the major barriers for fleet owners, PragmaCharge seeks to facilitate the much-needed transition to electrified freight transportation in the UK and Europe.
New Mexico Encountering Many Hurdles in Electrifying Government Fleets
In 2019, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller unveiled the first electric vehicles in the city’s fleet. In 2022, the first five electric buses started their routes around the city.
But in the present, gas still rules the lot, despite goals to make fleets more environmentally friendly. Supply chain issues, compounded by restrictions on publicly funded vehicle purchases, have made fleet electrification more difficult.
“We are trying to purchase as many [EVs] as we can,” New Mexico Department of Transportation Highway Operations Support Division Director John Romero said. “But at the end of the day, we need to continue with business. We need vehicles, and right now we’re really just trying to purchase what we can get our hands on.”
-via Albuquerque Journal
Holman Appoints Chris Conroy as CEO
Holman, a global automotive services organization, announced that it has appointed Chris Conroy as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, Carl Ortell will take on a new role as Vice Chair of the Holman Board.
Throughout his nearly 30-year career with Holman, Conroy has held a number of senior leadership roles across the organization, most recently serving as President and Chief Operating Officer.
“...Holman’s success and growth has been built on a steadfast commitment to always doing the right thing for our people, our customers, and our communities,” said Mindy Holman, Chair of the Board, Holman. “Carl has championed this philosophy throughout his career..."
Beware, Some EV Brake Lights Won’t Illuminate During Regenerative Braking
The rise of regenerative braking in electrified vehicles has led to a design issue that the Hyundai Motor Group’s EVs may be failing. Research suggests that its vehicles may be slowing quickly without warning other drivers on the road.
“Until this issue is remedied, drivers of the affected EVs should stick with the Level 1 or Level 2 regenerative-braking modes and avoid using the stronger Level 3 and strongest i-Pedal modes,” recommended Jennifer Stockburger, the director of operations at Consumer Reports Auto Test Center.
Car Shoppers Want Automated Safety Over Self-driving: Study
According to a new study, new car shoppers actually do want to see advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) present in all models moving forward, and as standard equipment across the board. However, those feelings pertain to features that improve the safety of a vehicle – not those related to autonomous driving systems.
The most desirable features among those surveyed for this study include blind-spot warning, which 82.5 percent of shoppers want in their next vehicle, rear mirror cameras (80.3 percent), night vision (79.8 percent), and automatic emergency braking (80 percent). New car shoppers weren’t as enthused about self-driving features such as unsupervised highway automated driving capability,
