Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/978416
commercial carrier journal | may 2018 19 JASON CANNON is Equipment Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. E-mail jcannon@randallreilly.com or call (205) 248-1175. larly as the April 1 ELD enforcement date passed – seemingly has strained his relationship with trucker voters. I doubt a sweeping emissions change on big trucks, coupled with a tax cut, is going to soothe any drivers who feel imprisoned by electronic logs, especially with diesel prices bouncing around $3 per gallon. What GHG Phase 2 has asked of trucking pales in comparison to what CAFE demanded from the auto industry. Trucking was in position to clear Phase 2's first hurdles before implementation began this year, and most trucking OEMs weren't clamoring for a rollback. To the contrary, many automakers were seeking more flexibility within the CAFE rule itself, citing slow sales of the electric vehicles that were sup- posed to play a large role in dragging up average mpgs. All the while, they roll out newer and more electric models. e CAFE fight most assuredly is headed to court, and it's hard to foresee EPA's willingness – having already made two concessions to GHG Phase 2 – to revisit the rule, especially with truck sales at banner levels and zero pushback from manufacturers and the industry as a whole. However, trucking would be wise to keep an eye on how EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration work through this CAFE challenge and understand how the agencies arrive as whatever the new standard will be. eir decision almost certainly will rely on some level of widespread use of vehicle hybridization and electrifi- cation, and those are two tidal waves of energy-efficient technology already building steam for carriers. WANT MORE EQUIPMENT NEWS? Scan the barcode to sign up for the CCJ Equipment Weekly e-mail newsletter or go to www.goo.gl/Ph9JK. Eaton enhances aftermarket clutches E aton announced two enhancements to its line of EverTough Self-Adjust and EverTough ManualAdjust heavy-duty aermarket clutches to help streamline maintenance and improve performance. Eaton said the release bearing has been upgrad- ed with wider thrust pads to optimize the in- terface with the re- lease fork, providing more contact area for the fork. A third grease zerk fitting also has been added to help improve access for routine lubrication. Eaton EverTough clutches are designed and engineered for older vehicles and come with a one-year/unlimited miles warranty. ey are available in 7-, 8-, 9- and 10-spring designs with torque ratings ranging from 1,400 to 2,050 lb.-. and include premium dampers to help reduce harmful driveline vibration. – Jason Cannon Fleet Complete, GM grow IoT offerings F leet Complete, a provider of Internet of ings-based technologies for fleets and remote workforces, announced that it will work with General Motors to accelerate the delivery of IoT-enabled services on On- Star-equipped model-year 2015 and newer Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles for small businesses and commercial fleets. Fleet Complete said its Connvex platform, combined with OnStar connectivity, can help fleets of any size reduce expenses and down- time, improve driver behavior and promote operational efficiency. Fleets can leverage the existing OnStar hardware integrated into their GM Fleet vehicles, with quick onboard- ing and easy Fleet Complete activation with- out compatibility concerns. – Jason Cannon A two-year warranty is available with the purchase of a Gen- uine Eaton Clutch Installation Kit. CAFE RELAXATION: EPA's decision sets the agency up for a fight with the State of California. OEMS WERE READY: Automakers were seeking more flexibility within the CAFE rule itself. TRUCKERS BEWARE: EPA's and NHTSA's CAFE back-and- forth could impact the industry.