Netradyne Reveals Survey Results from Small and Medium-Size Business Leaders
Netradyne, an industry-leading SaaS provider of artificial intelligence (A.I.) and edge computing solutions focused on safety and driver coaching for commercial fleets, announced the results of its recent survey.
The study's results highlight significant challenges around building affordable and effective safety programs, financial and cost-saving initiatives, road risks, and driver safety concerns. Findings suggest that most decision-makers admit that losing just one vehicle in the fleet would be devastating to the business, hinting that many business decision-makers managing fleets are one bad accident away from going out of business.
There are smarter ways to reinforce safe driving behavior than imposing fines or reluctantly addressing risky driving behaviors. Investing in smart tech such as A.I. driving solutions can make ensuring driver safety and saving money a breeze.
Stellantis Partners with French Company to Convert Old Models to EVs
Stellantis announced Friday a plan to allow owners of its vehicles to have them converted to run on battery power.
The project was developed by the Euro-American automaker’s Circular Economy unit and pairs it with French high-tech company Qinomic. “The retrofit solution aims to extend vehicle life and usage, ensuring sustainability and affordability at the same time,” Stellantis said in a statement.
There is also growing demand in the commercial sector where fleet operators see opportunities to substantially reduce energy and maintenance costs. Another motivating factor: the growing number of “Low Emission Zones.” These “LEZs,” mostly located in Europe, either ban vehicles using internal combustion engines or saddle them with access fees.
Caltrans Orders 399 Tesla Model 3s as it Seeks to Electrify Fleet
California's Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has placed its biggest electric vehicle order yet as the agency seeks to electrify its entire fleet.
Caltrans, which has about 1,200 vehicles in its fleet—mostly ICEs—has ordered 399 Tesla Model 3 electric sedans, which will add to the roughly 80 fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles currently in its fleet. The agency operates 54 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEVs, 15 Chevrolet Bolt EVs, 11 Nissan Leafs and one Ford F-150 Lightning. Caltrans also has 37 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Mirai and one hydrogen-powered sweeper in its fleet.
Caltrans has already taken delivery of 236 Tesla Model 3 sedans and expects the remaining 163 units to be delivered by January 1, 2023. Once Caltrans receives all 399 Model 3s, it will have converted 43 percent of its entire fleet to all-electric vehicles.
Ford Transit Electric Delivery Vans Added to DHL Fleets
Ford Pro, Ford's global vehicle services and distribution business, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Deutsche Post DHL Group to provide the logistics company with all-electric delivery vans.
Ford will deliver over 2000 electric delivery vans to DHL by the end of 2023. Some of DHL's new electric delivery vehicles will be the two-ton E-Transit model. These commercial vans will come with Ford Pro's connected E-Telematics software and charging solutions, designed to make it easier for fleet operators to coordinate charging and other changes required by shifting to zero-emission EVs.
The electric vans are part of DHL's zero-emission logistics efforts that will eventually reduce emissions from delivery vehicles "around the globe."
AAA Announces Services Tailored to EV Owners, Reflecting Growing Demand
The American Automobile Association has announced a package of services for electric vehicle (EV) owners. This includes mobile EV charging in select cities, and travel planning aids that plot the location of charging stations.
“Range anxiety has been the number one barrier between consumers and wider EV adoption. AAA can help ease this anxiety with specialized trucks equipped with mobile electric vehicle chargers that provide enough range to get drivers home or to the nearest charging station,” the organization said.
The organization is “also committed to supporting our members through big purchase decisions – like buying an electric vehicle.
