Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/71813
logbook Freightliner unveils Cascadia Evolution Freightliner Trucks and parent company Daimler Trucks North America unveiled the new Cascadia Evolution in Washington, D.C., on May 30. Key advancements have made fuel economy increases possible for the Evolution, which will be the standard Cascadia spec beginning in 2014, says David Hames, general manager, marketing and strategy for Daimler Trucks North America. These improvements include substantial upgrades to DTNA's Detroit DD15 diesel engine, including a new, ACRS fuel rail system, a new water pump design to reduce parasitic engine drag and an asymmetric compounding turbocharger. These enhancements are combined with an exterior aerodynamic package to achieve substantial fuel economy gains that DTNA says have been validated in wind tunnel, closed-track and real-world test conditions. The Cascadia Evolution will also include a premium fuel efficiency specification model that has extras like an The Evolution's fuel economy specs will be standard for the Cascadia beginning in 2014. integrated automated manual transmission, wide-based single tires, wheel covers and trailer aerodynamics. The truck will enter production in the first quarter of 2013. — Jack Roberts SHORT HAULS Panel discusses hauling in California Dealing with California Air Resources Board regulations, congestion, limited parking and frequent inspections can make operating in California one big headache. But a panel of fleet executives at the inaugural Great West Fleet Executive Conference in Las Vegas last month told attendees that there are also plenty of opportunities in the Sunshine State. With a $2 trillion GDP, California has the seventh largest economy in the world – the same as Germany's. Panelists said smart carriers will capture some of that business by finding ways to turn the state's obsession with all things green into new ways to market their businesses. Scott Blevins, president and CEO of Mountain Valley Express, for example, looks for ways to turn regulations into positives. "Why not market it and be eco-green, since we have to do it anyway?" he asked. Blevins, whose company offers overnight and second- day service between California, Arizona and Nevada, has found that his customers are willing to pay more to have his company deal with California so they don't have to. He adds a clean air surcharge to every bill of lading, a bridge toll fee and has increased his 20 OVERDRIVE JULY 2012 rates 6.9 percent this year. But he's also made investments: retrofitting a tractor costs $15,000, putting skirts on a trailer is $1,400, and a new tractor can run $125,000. UPS also has seen great success in getting its customers to pay for its sustainability platform, said Noel Massie, president of UPS Central California District. "There are a lot of customers that wouldn't use us if we weren't a green fleet," he said. Massie's company runs 2,500 alternative fuel vehicles and has reduced carbon dioxide by nearly 8,000 metric tons. The panelists agreed that diesel will play a reduced role in their fleets. "Looking out 20 years, I think the fuel for our industry is going to be natural gas," said Paul Truman, president of Truline Corporation and Estenson Logistics. "The problem is the equipment makers are too slow. They need to build more to gain economies of scale so they can close that price differential, which right now is about $50,000 to $60,000" over diesel-powered trucks, he said. The Great West Fleet Executive Conference was sponsored by Bridgestone, Chevron and Freightliner Trucks. — Linda Longton WTSA US EXPRESS has been shut down by the U.S. Department of Transportation after an audit uncovered violations in hours of service, driver qualifications and drug testing requirements. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION trade between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners reached an all-time high in March, exceeding $85 billion for the first time since data collection began in 1994 and topping the $80.8 billion record set last March. THE PUBLIC COMMENT period on proposed changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Safety Measurement System has been extended to July 30.