Proactively Preparing for the Low Viscosity Future
Diesel fuel may be exiting a sustained period of low pricing. Higher adoption rates of fuel efficient lubricants, including API FA-4 oils, may be a good way to offset fuel price hikes—and may be an indicator of the future.
By Barrie Masters, Director at Lubrizol
Reducing overall cost of operations is always a top priority for fleet owners and operators. And as a variety of factors continue to challenge fleet owners to maintain efficient operations, it’s worth investigating any means by which to boost the bottom line.
The 2022 year has already displayed the increasing cost of diesel fuel. Recent data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that diesel fuel costs have risen almost one dollar per gallon in comparison to this time just last year.
Simultaneously, other challenges exist.
Russian Invasion is Adding Cost to EVs
March 20, 2022 - The supply chain fallout from the war in Ukraine could make electric vehicles more expensive to build as raw material prices jump higher.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated price pressures by inflating raw material prices. Nickel is of particular concern, since Russia is the world’s third-largest supplier of the metal. Norilsk Nickel, the world’s biggest producer of high-grade nickel used in EV batteries, is based in Russia. Nickel, which has traded for between $10,000 and $20,000 per ton over the past decade, traded for more than $100,000 per ton on March 8.
As a result of the Ukrainian situation, the Tesla Model Y crossover, the most popular EV on the U.S. market, could see input costs for battery raw materials surge by almost $8,000 per vehicle this year.
Merchants Fleet Named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022
Merchants joins the ranks of Canva, Microsoft, SpaceX, and more
This year’s list honors businesses that are making the biggest impact on their industries and culture as a whole—ultimately thriving in today’s ever-changing world.
“We are honored and humbled to be recognized with this esteemed award,” said Brendan P. Keegan, CEO of Merchants Fleet. “Innovation is at the core of our culture at Merchants Fleet—it’s the powerful driving force behind who we are and how we inspire and connect with each other as a team, that keeps our company on the cutting edge of the fleet industry.”
How Ford Is Managing the EV Supply Chain Crunch and Could Avoid Tesla-Like Price Hikes for Now
March 18, 2022 - Nickel is a crucial component in many electric vehicles because it's used to construct battery cathodes. Russia accounts for 10 percent of the world's nickel supply and 20 percent of the world's "class 1" nickel supply, which is the purity level usually required for EV applications.
Tesla uses a nickel-cobalt-manganese blend of metal in its batteries, which have cathodes that are 90 percent composed of nickel. Ford had negotiated longer-term contracts for its nickel supplies, leaving it locked in at pre-conflict pricing and supply.
Nickel is a crucial metal that Ford can relax about while other manufacturers scramble to reestablish their own supplies, and with the F-150 Lightning hitting the market in short order, it may position Ford well for the coming few years of EV sales.
Gas-Sipping Haulers: Five Most Economical Pickup Trucks
March 18, 2022 - When it comes to pickup trucks, American manufacturers provide the best combination of fuel efficiency, capability and performance. It’s no surprise that hybrids and diesel powertrains make their good fuel economy possible.
You might not think so, but you can a get a more fuel-efficient pickup truck, and you don’t have to give up size to do it.
According to the EPA, the most fuel-efficient 2022 model-year pickup trucks is a mixed bag, with the turbodiesel-powered Chevrolet and GMC providing some of the best numbers for towing and payload among midsize pickups. But the Ford and Ram gas-electric hybrids offer more capability, albeit at higher prices.
Note that GMC will not reveal pricing on its diesel-powered Canyon, noting that consumers should “see dealer for pricing.” Now there’s something to look forward to.
