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 MoreDOT Regulations for Autonomous Trucks
The U.S. Department of Transportation on September 20th, 2016 issued some regulatory framework guidleines for vehicle manufacturers, state regulators and other stakeholders regarding the development and deployment of autonomous trucks. The proposed policy initiative comes as both traditional automotive makers and tech giants march increasingly closer to readying such technology for public use. The 114-page document, which the DOT is accepting public comment on for 60 days, intends to set safety…
Read MoreU.S. Proposes Speed Limiter on Trucks
A national association of small-business truckers claims the government’s proposal to mandate speed-limiting devices on large commercial trucks would be dangerous for all highway users. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the nation’s only organization representing professional and small-business truckers, says such devices create speed differentials that lead to more crashes and promote road rage among other motorists. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic…
Read MoreNew Kenworth T680 DayCab Increases Fuel Economy
Kenworth will extend its T680 fuel economy Advantage package into vocational applications soon with the launch of two new, T680 Advantage Day Cab models, but will cut production of the T660 by the end of the year. The announcement came Friday at Kenworth headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, ahead of a demonstration of Bendix’s new Fusion Advanced Vehicle Safety system. Kenworth Chief Engineer Kevin Baney said the new trucks will help…
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