ACT Expo Workshop Recaps
Clean Fuel Vehicle Bootcamp
ACT Expo kicked off with a session tailored to alternative fuel vehicle newcomers, in the first ever “Clean Fuel Vehicle Bootcamp”. GNA President Cliff Gladstein shared the key market drivers compelling fleet operators to move to alternative fuels—including air pollution and climate protection regulations, the desire to reduce operating costs, and corporate sustainability goals and mandates. During this one-hour intro session, Gladstein provided guidance on key questions that fleet operators should ask to determine the technologies and fuels that will provide the best economic and environmental performance for their unique operations.
A Small and Mighty Fleet
Small fleets make up an overwhelming portion of the transportation network and tend to operate the same assets for longer, making purchase decisions even more important. Representatives from small and mighty fleets engaged in a townhall style discussion on the opportunities and challenges for smaller fleets to the reduce costs and emissions associated with alternative fuels. Panelists representing three fleet operators discussed some of the key challenges of clean vehicle deployments and unique solutions, such as taking advantage of partnerships with utilities to offset capital expenditures and identify local funding programs.
CHBC Hosts Workshop on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Freight
The California Hydrogen Business Council hosted a half-day workshop on cargo handling at distribution centers, ports, and on-road medium- and heavy-duty goods movement. Speakers from Plug Power, Toyota Motor North America, Hyundai Motor Company, Nikola Motor Company, and more shared the latest developments in the fuel cell space from a variety of perspectives. Key takeaways for attendees included a comparison of technology platforms, perspectives from OEMs and operators, and the hydrogen infrastructure needed for refueling.
PERC Hosts Workshop on Propane Autogas
The Propane Education and Research Council hosted a session about today’s latest vehicle technology, renewable propane, and the programs available to support deployments of propane autogas as a sustainable and cost-effective fleet solution. With near-zero emission engine technology now available and renewable propane autogas starting to hit the market, 2019 promises to be a breakout year for the propane autogas industry.
BSR’s Workshop Addressed How to Evaluate the Market for Sustainable Fuels and Clean Technology
BSR’s Future of Fuels team led an action-oriented discussion on the current and expected availability and application of low-carbon fuels for commercial freight to help fleets understand and compare clean technologies and match them with specific needs. Attendees learned about which sustainable fuels can be delivered by suppliers today and how they can be scaled over the next few years. The workshop concluded with a one-on-one networking opportunity for buyers and suppliers to address specific challenges the attending fleets are experiencing.
FleetOwner’s Workforce Development Workshop
FleetOwner hosted a workshop on meeting the workforce challenges faced by commercial vehicle fleets and the suppliers who support them. Speakers from commercial fleets as well as training professionals and workforce development leaders addressed how to develop and keep a trained team as technology evolves across today’s increasingly complex and connected fleet. The workshop began with a discussion of best practices for integrating alternative fuels and advanced technologies into fleet operations. In the afternoon, MaxGen Energy Services led a panel on training requirements for the electric vehicle ecosystem.
Workshop Recap: Connected Vehicle Technology Workshop 2.0
With the emergence of connected technologies, the transportation industry has seen a huge opportunity for improved operational, economic, and environmental performance. During this full-day workshop, attendees learned about the connected technologies available today and how to leverage them to maximize performance while improving safety and compliance. Speakers from Daimler Trucks North America, Volvo Group, and Hino Trucks kicked off the day with a discussion on OEM technology across all weight classes.
The workshop featured a keynote presentation from Sherry Sanger, senior vice president of marketing at Penske Truck Leasing. Sanger shared insights into the array of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies—such as driver-assisted platooning—that Penske is evaluating to continue providing a superior user experience for its vehicle leasing customers. The presentation continued with Sanger discussing the key factors that will impact the commercial success of heavy-duty electric vehicles, including range, weight, cost, charging time. To wrap up, Sanger reinforced the critical need to attract new talent into the transportation sector that can help the industry continue developing the increasingly complex technologies that fleets need to reduce costs and emissions and improve safety on our roadways.
The afternoon focused on telematics, sensors, and other tech to maximize fleet assets. Attendees left the workshop with a better understanding of the use cases and opportunities of vehicle-to-grid energy storage.
