Merchants Fleet Launches Industry-First Fleet Electrification Hub
Puts fleet industry on the fast track to sustainability, with first site dedicated to customized fleet electrification resources.
Merchants Fleet today announced the launch of its new Electrify Fleet Hub, an innovative online tool providing centralized information designed to help fleet managers make a seamless adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of their sustainability goals.
The new online tool is the first of its kind for the fleet industry, which includes a convenient EV Finder that allows users to research current and future EV models based on their specific needs.
Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series: The Green Garage Contest Winners!
The Green Garage Contest Winners Announcement 2021 – Thursday, December 9, 2021 2 – 3 p.m.
This free session titled “The Green Garage Winners Announcement 2021” will feature operations and facility strategies and techniques of the top performing fleets.
The Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series is offered through a collaborative partnership between the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, The 100 Best Fleets and NAFA Fleet Management Association.
Which Gas Stations Have the Best Quality Fuel?
All gasoline sold in the U.S. meets minimum requirements set by the government. The differences between brands come in the additives and detergents added to the blend to help extend the life of the engine.
Some fuel companies — working with major automakers that include BMW, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen/Audi — have taken it a step further, setting a higher standard that has become known as Top Tier fuels. Brands that qualify as Top Tier contain additional detergents beyond the minimum requirements, and help prevent carbon buildup in car engines.
According to one AAA survey, Top Tier fuels left 19 times fewer deposits after simulating driving 4,000 miles in an engine lab. Top Tier fuels also helped clean existing deposits from engines. To find Top Tier fuel, look for a Top Tier logo on the pump.
Read the article at Autoblog.
Big Carmakers Show They Too Can Gain From the Electric Car Shake-Up
Startup automakers, like Lucid and Rivian, often make the point that, as Tesla has shown, electric car shoppers are open to trying new brands. What's true for startups, though, is also true for big automakers like Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen.
For those long-established car companies, new electric vehicles are attracting customers who are not current owners of their brands. That means electric vehicles are bringing in those always sought after "conquest sales." These are sales that automakers hope create new long-term customers.
Among buyers of the new Ford Mustang Mach-E, almost 70% were not already Ford customers. For most Ford models, only 42% are trading in a non-Ford vehicle. For General Motors' Chevrolet brand, the trend is similar. Among buyers of the Chevrolet Bolt models, 60% were new to the Chevrolet brand.
Read the article at CNN Business.
Apple AirTags Are Now Being Used to Steal Cars in Canada
Police in Aurora, Ontario identified five separate incidents where thieves have surreptitiously slipped an AirTag on to a “high-end vehicle” with the intent to steal it. The thieves’ technique is to leave the tracker somewhere on a target vehicle, then follow its location in Apple’s Find My app to discover where it’s parked.
When Apple first released AirTags earlier this year, concerns immediately sprung up about nefarious use cases for the covert trackers. Apple responded with a slew of anti-stalking measures, but those are more intended for keeping people safe than cars.
An AirTag away from its owner will sound an alarm, letting anyone nearby know that it’s been left behind, but it can take up to 24 hours for that alarm to go off — more than enough time to nab a car in the dead of night.
Read the article at Jalopnik.
