ChargeX is a New Group That’s Going to Improve US Public EV Chargers
ChargeX, an EV industry consortium announced by the US Department of Energy (DOE) with a mission to improve public EV charging reliability and usability by June 2025. The plan is to make sure that customers achieve first-time plug-in success every time they use public EV chargers.
The consortium is made of up nearly 30 companies and growing, including Tesla, Electrify America, ChargePoint, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Tritium. The group is going to build on the foundation for charging reliability established by the minimum standards for projects funded under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.
NHTSA Proposes New Crashworthiness Pedestrian Protection Testing Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is issuing a request for public comment on new pedestrian crashworthiness tests. The New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, measures how well vehicles protect those outside the vehicle, which can reduce pedestrian fatalities.
“Ensuring the safety of pedestrians is a top priority at DOT, and these proposed updates to NCAP are an important step in addressing the crisis of roadway deaths in America,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson. “Vehicles must be designed to protect their occupants while increasing safety for those outside the vehicle, too.”
Isuzu Prepares for Future with First EV Director and Other Key Appointments
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of low-cab-forward trucks, announced that Matthew A. Mesick has been appointed as the company’s first Director, EV Strategies.
The creation of the position comes just two months after the company announced that its first all-electric truck for the U.S. and Canadian markets will begin production late in the first quarter of 2024.
“As electric vehicles will play an ever-increasing role in our future, having resources focused 100 percent in this area is necessary for our organization to support everyone’s efforts properly,” said Shaun C. Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada.
WIFM Profile: Jennifer Chapman’s Rewards Come from Making a Difference in Others
By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor, Fleet Management Weekly
Leaseplan Canada's Central Regional Director of Sales and Client Services Jennifer Chapman has been a member of the Canadian fleet management community for over 20 years. In that time, she has earned both CAFM and ASE certifications and has demonstrated the ability to manage and collaborate with teams and implement processes that deliver the best solutions for her clients.
Here, she took the time to answer questions about her background and perspective about the fleet industry.
How did you land in the fleet industry? Like most people in Fleet, I kind of fell into the industry. When I went to college, there was no “automotive fleet” class or program like there is today. But once I was in the industry, I fell in love with it.
Westland Police Adds 20 Next Generation Hybrid Vehicles to Fleet
The city of Westland bought 20 Ford Police Interceptors using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. They were phased in on Tuesday, May 16.
These new next-generation hybrid vehicles have 3.3-liter HEV engines with 318 combined horsepower, and Ford says these vehicles are the "first-ever pursuit-rated hybrid police SUV."
They will feature new technology so that officers can access as much information as possible while they are patrolling. In addition, these vehicles are 25% more fuel efficient than the Ford Explorers the department previously used.
