ACT Virtual‘s Ultra Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Summit wraps up on November 17 and 19, with top executives from vehicle manufacturers, technology suppliers, and fleets sharing (and debating) what the future will hold for the vehicles and technologies that power our nation’s goods movement and passenger transportation sectors. The four-day summit has spotlighted headline grabbing zero-emission technologies, as well as the innovations in natural gas and propane that continue to drive the gaseous fuel industry forward.
The Ultra Clean HD Vehicle Summit examines zero emission technologies, including innovations in natural gas and propane.
Fleet managers and government employees can register for the Ultra Clean HD Vehicle Summit with a complimentary pass to participate in the final two upcoming days, November 17 and 19.
The final episodes of the Ultra Clean HD Vehicle Summit are sponsored by Shell, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Daimler Trucks, American Eagle, Kenworth, Navistar, Peterbilt and Volvo Trucks.
Tuesday, November 17: HD Fleet Case Studies in Electric
Mark Russell, CEO of Nikola, will kick off the day with an engaging keynote presentation. As a technology disrupter and innovator, Nikola is working to develop innovative, zero-emission energy and transportation solutions. At ACT Virtual, Russell will discuss how Nikola is pioneering a leading business model that will enable commercial fleet customers to integrate next-generation zero-emission truck technology, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and premium maintenance strategies.
Following the keynote, participants will gain insight into early adopter fleet case studies from a panel of experts. Fleets across the heavy-duty vehicle spectrum have waited with bated breath for the arrival of battery electric vehicles. The last year has seen deployments of battery electric heavy-duty trucks from small startups and major OEMs alike. As this array of battery electric trucks is now taking to the street and being put through their paces, we have an opportunity to hear how they are doing. What’s working? What’s not? How are batteries performing under the rigors of heavy-duty operations? How is charging being handled? What have we learned thus far and what questions do we still have?
Featuring a number of fleet end-users presenting case studies from their battery electric truck deployments of the last year, this session promises to provide the latest and more comprehensive insight into one of the industry’s most exciting technology developments. Speakers include:
- Bill Bliem, Senior Vice President Fleet Services, NFI Industries
- Andrew Papson, Advisor eMobility, Southern California Edison
- Jed Proctor, Manager, eConsulting, Daimler Trucks North America
Thursday, November 19: The Future of Ultra Clean HD Vehicles
The Ultra Clean HD Vehicle Summit has covered all the major fuel types in the alt fuel industry, but where does the future lie? Do diesel and efficiency still have a role? When will we see the adoption of alt fuels surpass diesel and what is standing in our way of getting there? Listen to the leading heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers on what the future holds and whether it is one that they all can agree on! This annual OEM panel always provides incredible insight into the future of advanced commercial vehicle technologies. Speakers include:
- Michael Scheib, Director, eMobility Platform, Daimler Trucks North America
- Darren Gosbee, Vice President Engineering, Navistar
- Erik Neandross, CEO, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates
Highlights from the First Two Episodes
Two engaging days of online programming for the Ultra Clean HD Vehicle Summit took place earlier in October and content is available to ACT Virtual attendees on demand. Each day featured a deep dive plenary session on the success stories and the challenges that exist for our nation’s HD fleets that move goods and people, closing out day one with cutting edge technology demonstrations.
Episode 1 Highlights: Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Episode sponsored by: Shell, South Coast AQMD, PERC, Roush CleanTech, Trillium
Executive Panel: Propane and Natural Gas Innovations & Opportunities
Eric McCann, Technical Fleet Manager, Bimbo Bakeries; Scott Phillippi, Senior Director Automotive Maintenance and Engineering International Operations, UPS; Lisa McAbee, Owner, McAbee Trucking; Ashley Duplechien, Business Development Manager, Trillium (Moderator)
The executive panel of fleet experts spoke of their experience with natural gas and propane trucks. While zero emission technology has grabbed a lot of the attention and headlines, natural gas and propane truck procurements have continued to hit record numbers given their known economic and environmental sustainability benefits. Leading fleets like UPS have doubled down on their investments in these technologies, seemingly due to the positive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and other confirmed benefits. Attendees heard from these leading fleets about their forward investment plans and what technological and/or fuel innovations will continue to drive the gaseous fuel industry forward.
Scott Phillippi with UPS discussed how renewable natural gas (RNG) is a great solution to help the environment now. Capturing what would have been fugitive methane and using it to fuel trucks offers a substantial solution to vehicle emissions. Eric McCann from Bimbo Bakeries discussed how they are incorporating sustainability goals not only into their fleet, but all aspects of their business. Lisa McAbee from McAbee Trucking, a USPS contractor, told the story of how her smaller trucking firm has made the journey into alternative fuels, building their inventory of CNG and propane fueled trucks.
All agreed that fleets can’t wait for the perfect solution in alternative fuels. There is no time to wait. They emphasized how choosing the right equipment partner is key to a successful operation. Fleets need to find partners to work with, develop rolling laboratories, and push now for the next best thing in technology.
Technology Demonstrations
ACT Virtual finished the day by delivering the latest technology advancements to our fleet attendees, providing the opportunity to participate in three exciting product demonstrations.
- Freightliner: Natural Gas Solutions to Meet Emissions Targets Today
- Agility: Proven, Sustainable and Cost-Effective Natural Gas Fuel Systems
- Bauer: Mobile High-Pressure Hybrid Rotary Screw-Reciprocating Booster Compressor System
Episode 2 Highlights: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Episode sponsored by: Shell, South Coast AQMD, Cummins, Kenworth
Executive Panel: Fleet and Vehicle Case Studies in Hydrogen
Brian Lindgren, Director R&D, Kenworth Truck Company; Jeff Seger, General Manager, Fuel Cell Powertrain Integration, Cummins Inc.; Vic LaRosa, President, TTSI; Dayle Withers, Maintenance Department Manager, Orange County Transportation Authority; Chris White, Senior Manager, Frontier Energy (Moderator)
Thursday, October 15 featured a plenary session with top industry executives and experts highlighting successes, struggles, and solutions for implementation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles into their fleet. Vehicle case studies were followed by an interactive session with fleets, technology providers, and industry stakeholders in the Virtual Exhibit Hall.
Heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks are now offered by several OEMs and deployed in several commercial and municipal customer applications, with more on the way in 2021 and beyond. From port operations to warehouse, transit, and even street sweeping, attendees listened to fleets talk about their experiences and success with their hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
All agreed that when they look into their crystal ball to see five or ten years in the future, renewable energy is key to reducing emissions. Hydrogen fuel cell HD vehicles are going to be an integral part of this future, however the technology will have to be economically viable. Reliability, experience and cost reduction have to happen simultaneously in order to truly green our nation’s fleets.
Secure Your Ticket
The Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Virtual online event series kicked off August 18 and runs until November 19, spotlighting the latest vehicle technology and fueling infrastructure innovations that can help fleets reduce fuel costs and emissions. ACT Virtual features a total of 19 days of bite-sized fleet-focused education, called “episodes,” which cover everything from battery technology, to connected tech, renewable fuels, fleet charging, clean tech investment trends, funding, and more. Recordings are included for previous sessions with a pass.
Fleets and government employees can register for the ACT Virtual event series for free. With four more educational episodes planned through November 19, there is still time to secure a ticket at www.act-virtual.com.
