At last year’s IAA show in Hannover, Germany, Mercedes-Benz Vans unveiled its drone-delivery Vision Van and teased the press with its Vans & Robots concept. On the eve of the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Stefan Maurer, head of future transportation for Mercedes-Benz Vans, went into greater detail about its ideas for incorporating new robot technologies in its Sprinter van to better optimize last-mile delivery in an ever-increasing…
Read MoreBendix Unveils New Truck Information Site
Bendix has launched a new center of commercial vehicle information at its website safertrucks.com, centered around a new multimedia center called the Knowledge Dock. The Knowledge Dock aims to help trucking professionals stay connected to the industry by providing updates on developments in truck operation, maintenance and safety. It also examines trucking trends and technology developments. It contains a growing list of videos, blog posts, podcasts and white papers from…
Read MoreElectric Truck Sales to Increase Tenfold
According to a new report from Navigant Research, global annual electric powered medium-duty and heavy-duty truck sales are expected to grow from about 31,000 vehicles in 2016 to nearly 332,000 by 2026. The report forecasts sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks for each major world region — segmented by electrified powertrain type, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell — through 2026. As local and national governments…
Read MoreNikola One Prototype Marks End of Diesel Era
Nikola Motor Co. on Thursday unveiled a working prototype of Nikola One, the company’s fully electric, zero-emissions Class 8 truck. The truck’s fully electric drivetrain is powered by high-density lithium batteries. The truck’s electricity is supplied on-the-go by a hydrogen fuel cell, giving it a range of more than 1,200 miles and delivering more than 1,000 horsepower and 2,000 ft.-lbs. of torque. “This is a real truck. This is not a…
Read MoreDana Spicer Electric E-Axle Driveline Technology
Dana Incorporated has introduced the Spicer Electrified portfolio of fully integrated motor, control, and e-drive technologies designed to advance electric propulsion systems. Spicer Electrified builds on research that Dana has conducted in electric driveline technologies and complements the company’s battery-cooling solutions offered under the Long brand portfolio. “Dana has a unique ability to leverage knowledge across multiple end markets, and we are confident that our investment and research will benefit…
Read MoreSelf Driving Semi Truck Makes First Delivery
Otto and Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch made history in October by successfully making the first delivery by a self-driving semi truck. Yesterday, one of Otto’s self-driving truck prototypes traveled 120 miles on a stretch of Colorado highway between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs to deliver 51,744 cans of Budweiser beer. According to Otto, a professional driver assisted the truck on the entrance and exit ramps but could spend the rest of the…
Read MoreDetroit Diesel to Pay $28.5M Clean Air Act Fine
Detroit Diesel Corp, a unit of automaker Daimler AG, will spend $14.5 million to reduce pollutants and pay a $14 million civil penalty to settle alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act, the Justice Department said on Thursday. The settlement is the latest penalty imposed by U.S. regulators on auto and engine manufacturers for failing to meet emissions regulations. The U.S. government alleged that Detroit Diesel violated the Clean…
Read MorePaccar Updates MX Engines & Drive Axles
Available in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in January will be new power, torque and fuel efficiency enhancements to Paccar MX-13 and MX-11 engines for North America. Nearly 50% of Peterbilt and Kenworth heavy-duty trucks currently are produced with Paccar MX engines, according to Sproull. Paccar increased the MX-13 engine’s output to 510 hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque and increased the MX-11 engine’s output to 430 hp and 1,650 lb-ft…
Read MorePeterbilt Offers Model 579 Daycab Configuration
Based on the success of the aerodynamic Model 579 EPIQ sleeper truck, Peterbilt has introduced the aerodynamic, fuel efficient Model 579 EPIQ daycab. Peterbilt Motors Co. announced the new model during the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition, which ends today in Las Vegas. “Fleets wanting to operate fuel-efficient daycabs have been an underserved market, and Peterbilt is pleased to provide the new Model 579 EPIQ daycab,” said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt’s…
Read MoreInternational Introduces New Class 8 Truck
International on Friday introduced its new flagship line of Class 8 on-highway trucks, taking the mantle from the company’s ProStar. International says its LT Series, the company’s most fuel efficient line of trucks to date, was designed with feedback from drivers that resulted in a final product that Jeff Sass, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Navistar, calls “the most driver-centric Class 8 vehicle we’ve ever built.” The truck…
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