Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Transportation sector groups say EPA emission cuts move too fast

Proposed federal policy would tighten emissions standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, boost electric vehicle sector.

OOIDA Screen Shot 2023-04-13 at 1.50.02 PM.png

Transportation groups have reacted with skepticism to an aggressive new emission standard announced yesterday by the Biden Administration that is intended to spur investment in electric vehicle (EV) sales.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled “proposed federal vehicle emissions standards that will accelerate the ongoing transition to a clean vehicles future and tackle the climate crisis” by tightening emissions standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles for model year (MY) 2027 and beyond.


The section of the policy applying to supply chain operations is the “Greenhouse Gas Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles - Phase 3,” which would apply to heavy-duty vocational vehicles (such as delivery trucks, refuse haulers or dump trucks, public utility trucks, transit, shuttle, school buses) and trucks typically used to haul freight.

In a statement, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said that “By proposing the most ambitious pollution standards ever for cars and trucks, we are delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s promise to protect people and the planet, securing critical reductions in dangerous air and climate pollution and ensuring significant economic benefits like lower fuel and maintenance costs for families.”

In the Administration’s view, that requirement would be supported by industry trends that are already moving in that direction. The EPA cited statistics that since 2021, the number of EV sales has tripled, the number of available models has doubled, the number of public chargers across the country has increased 40% to 130,000, and the private sector has committed more than $120 billion in domestic EV and battery investments.

However, several transportation sector groups have said that while they support a transition to lower emissions, the new plan would move too fast.

The Clean Freight Coalition—which was formed just last month to represent trucking carriers, manufacturers, and dealers in the move toward transportation emissions cuts—hinted that the EPA’s quick transition to zero-emission vehicle technology could have an adverse impact on the nation's supply chain.

“Ensuring a feasible transition to new technologies is our primary goal,” the coalition’s executive director, Jim Mullen, said in a release. “An adequate infrastructure, including the power grid and charging stations, and the sourcing of required minerals, are essential to the supply chain as part of the transition to a zero-emission future. Further, regulations must provide the lead time, stability, and certainty that allows for the industry to develop the technology, test in real-world conditions, and minimize downtime and operational disruption.”

Likewise, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) said the nation’s charging infrastructure network was not yet sufficient to support that increase in the number of heavy-duty commercial trucks. “Professional drivers are skeptical of EV costs, mileage range, battery weight and safety, charging time, and availability. It’s baffling that the EPA is pushing forward with more impractical emissions timelines without first addressing these overwhelming concerns with electric [commercial motor vehicles],” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said in a release.
 


 


The Latest

More Stories

person using AI at a laptop

Gartner: GenAI set to impact procurement processes

Progress in generative AI (GenAI) is poised to impact business procurement processes through advancements in three areas—agentic reasoning, multimodality, and AI agents—according to Gartner Inc.

Those functions will redefine how procurement operates and significantly impact the agendas of chief procurement officers (CPOs). And 72% of procurement leaders are already prioritizing the integration of GenAI into their strategies, thus highlighting the recognition of its potential to drive significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, Gartner found in a survey conducted in July, 2024, with 258 global respondents.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Report: SMEs hopeful ahead of holiday peak

Report: SMEs hopeful ahead of holiday peak

Businesses are cautiously optimistic as peak holiday shipping season draws near, with many anticipating year-over-year sales increases as they continue to battle challenging supply chain conditions.

That’s according to the DHL 2024 Peak Season Shipping Survey, released today by express shipping service provider DHL Express U.S. The company surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gauge their holiday business outlook compared to last year and found that a mix of optimism and “strategic caution” prevail ahead of this year’s peak.

Keep ReadingShow less
retail store tech AI zebra

Retailers plan tech investments to stop theft and loss

Eight in 10 retail associates are concerned about the lack of technology deployed to spot safety threats or criminal activity on the job, according to a report from Zebra Technologies Corp.

That challenge is one of the reasons that fewer shoppers overall are satisfied with their shopping experiences lately, Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Zebra said in its “17th Annual Global Shopper Study.”th Annual Global Shopper Study.” While 85% of shoppers last year were satisfied with both the in-store and online experiences, only 81% in 2024 are satisfied with the in-store experience and just 79% with online shopping.

Keep ReadingShow less
warehouse automation systems

Cimcorp's new CEO sees growth in grocery and tire segments

Logistics automation systems integrator Cimcorp today named company insider Veli-Matti Hakala as its new CEO, saying he will cultivate growth in both the company and its clientele, specifically in the grocery retail and tire plant logistics sectors.

An eight-year veteran of the Georgia company, Hakala will begin his new role on January 1, when the current CEO, Tero Peltomäki, will retire after a long and noteworthy career, continuing as a member of the board of directors, Cimcorp said.

Keep ReadingShow less

Securing the last mile

Although many shoppers will return to physical stores this holiday season, online shopping remains a driving force behind peak-season shipping challenges, especially when it comes to the last mile. Consumers still want fast, free shipping if they can get it—without any delays or disruptions to their holiday deliveries.

One disruptor that gets a lot of headlines this time of year is package theft—committed by so-called “porch pirates.” These are thieves who snatch parcels from front stairs, side porches, and driveways in neighborhoods across the country. The problem adds up to billions of dollars in stolen merchandise each year—not to mention headaches for shippers, parcel delivery companies, and, of course, consumers.

Keep ReadingShow less