Aurora, the autonomous trucks technology startup backed by Amazon, is expanding into Texas as it aims to accelerate the development of self-driving trucks. The company said it plans to test commercial routes in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area with a mix of Fiat Chrysler Pacifica minivans and Class 8 trucks. A small fleet of Pacificas will arrive first. The trucks will be on the road in Texas by the end of…
Read MoreManufacturers Betting on Hydrogen vs Electricity
Hyundai Motor Co. has an ambitious plan to wean the global trucking industry from fossil fuels by creating green commercial trucks with the same power and range as their diesel counterparts, choosing hydrogen over electricity. The South Korean automaker unveiled the cornerstone of its strategy in Atlanta last month by showing the concept of its planned HDC-6 Neptune hydrogen fuel cell truck. Styled like a 1930s Art Deco steam locomotive,…
Read MoreBosch to Supply Nikola Electric Powertrains
Nikola Motor Co. and parts supply company Bosch will jointly develop powertrain systems for the Nikola One and Nikola Two, hydrogen-electric Class 8 semi-trucks scheduled to reach the market by 2021, the companies announced Tuesday. Separately, Nikola confirmed that the trucking startup completed a $110 million funding round in late June to bring its total to $900 million. Under the powertrain agreement, Bosch will supply Nikola with its eAxle technology that houses…
Read MoreCummins Plans for Electric Class 8 Powertrains
Diesel Engine maker Cummins expects to start building and selling electric powertrains for transit bus applications in 2019, with a “longer-range version” available by 2020, as the OEM believes electricity will become a key commercial vehicle power source in the near future. “We know things about electrification that maybe others don’t,” explained Julie Furber, executive director of electrification business development for Cummins, explained in an hour-long conference call with reporters…
Read MoreBaker College Gets Paccar MX-13 Engine Donated
Baker College’s Auto/Diesel Institute (ADI) of Michigan has been given a $51,558 PACCAR MX-13 diesel truck engine, a donation from Berger Dealer Group, of Dearborn, Mich., to enable engine-specific technician training. Berger also donated the specialized tools, software and related manuals to service the engine. PACCAR engines are designed for optimized performance, weight savings and durability in Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF Trucks. The 12.9L PACCAR MX-13 is PACCAR’s largest heavy-duty…
Read MorePeterbilt’s New Electric Class 8 Garbage Truck
Heavy-Duty Truck giant Peterbilt took the wraps off a battery-electric Class 8 garbage truck at the ongoing WasteExpo 2017 in New Orleans. Peterbilt already offers a line of diesel Class 8 garbage trucks. It is exploring an electric-drive system in order to help customers meet often stringent state and local emissions regulations, said Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt’s chief engineer. Electric drive systems also can significantly increase fuel efficiency, a priority for most…
Read MoreNvidia Partners with Paccar on Autonomous Trucks
Around Silicon Valley, semiconductor giant Nvidia is best known for its graphics chips that power a wide range of video game technologies. But in recent years, the company’s growth has also been fueled by its investments in autonomous truck and connected car technologies. Riding that wave, Nvidia recently made clear that autonomous trucks are a priority as well. Nvidia just launched a partnership with Paccar — maker of the Kenworth,…
Read MoreExpoCam Kicks Off Today in Montreal Quebec
With an eye to changing commerce patterns, Volvo Trucks North America and Navistar’s International division both unveiled regional semi-truck models for the North American Market at ExpoCam, Canada’s largest truck trade show. Volvo debuted its new VNR regional semi-truck, its first full redesign of a mid-range tractor since 1996, Wednesday night. Not to be outdone, Navistar on Thursday also introduced its new generation International RH Series regional haul truck line at…
Read MoreToyota Unveils Hydrogen Powered Class 8 Truck
Toyota’s family of eco-friendly vehicles gained a supersized sibling this morning in the form of Project Portal, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered commercial truck. Along with representatives from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), the zero-emission truck proof of concept will be unveiled today at the Port of Los Angeles where it will take part in “a feasibility study examining the potential usage of fuel…
Read MoreTesla to Unveil Electric Semi Truck this Fall
Tesla Inc. plans to unveil an electric semi-truck in September, Elon Musk, the electric car company’s chief executive, said Thursday. Musk said last year that the company was working on an electric truck but has provided few details except to say it would have self-driving capabilities like other new Tesla models. On Twitter Thursday morning the tech entrepreneur said, “Tesla Semi truck unveil set for September. Team has done an…
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