Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025:
CARB exploring used-truck vouchers to meet climate goals
The California Air Resources Board has formally requested information for the development of a possible Used Truck Voucher Pilot program, which could serve as a future method to increase the purchase rate of cleaner vehicles and reduce emissions in the state.
In announcing the information request, CARB referenced its 2022 State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan (SIP), noting incentives will continue to be critical in achieving near- and long-term air quality goals in California. The SIP calls for additional incentives for zero-emission trucks, and CARB said “the primary goal for the Used Truck Voucher Pilot Concept would be to accelerate the development of an affordable secondary vehicle market that would provide commercial small fleets with more flexibility.”
CARB added that state lawmakers established the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Purchasing Assistance Program to make financial and non-financial tools and support available to the operators of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets to enable a switch to ZEVs. Additionally, CARB’s suite of clean air regulations requires a competitive, well-functioning market to ensure success, the organization noted. A used truck voucher pilot concept would support those goals.
“Many small fleet owners traditionally purchase used vehicles rather than new vehicles, CARB’s RFI document notes. “Currently, the Clean Truck and Bus Incentive Project (HVIP) only funds new vehicle purchases, and ISEF funds innovative solutions (all-inclusive leases, peer-to-peer truck sharing, truck-as-a-service agreements, etc.). Not funding used vehicle purchases may limit participation from small fleets.”
The organization added that as the zero-emission market grows, their supply “into the secondary market will expand over the next several years, creating an opportunity for small fleets to adopt ZEVs. Financial assistance targeting second life vehicles would provide critical encouragement and support for fleet owners who may be considering making the switch to a zero-emission vehicle.”
CARB is accepting information from the trucking industry through Feb. 28, and interested parties can participate on the CARB website.
[Related: Why aren’t more carriers using heavy-duty electric trucks?]
Dot Transportation surpasses 30K hours with electric terminal tractor
Dot Transportation's first OrangeEV terminal truck has surpassed 30,000 hours of use.Dot Transportation
Dot Transportation Inc. (DTI), an affiliate of Dot Foods, has reached a significant step in its journey toward sustainability: 30,000 hours of usage with its first-deployed Orange EV electric terminal tractor.
Since first integrating zero-emission trucks, DTI has seen substantial operational and environmental benefits, reducing its carbon footprint while enhancing efficiency and reducing costs at its distribution centers, the company said.
Dot Transportation chose Orange EV to assist in their transition away from diesel-powered terminal trucks to a cleaner, more sustainable option. After logging 30,000 hours on its first truck – deployed in 2018 – the results speak for themselves: just this one truck in DTI's Orange EV electric terminal truck fleet has eliminated the need for an estimated 45,000 gallons of diesel fuel, reduced CO2 emissions by more than 500 tons, and decreased operating costs through reduced maintenance, repair and energy use.
"We're proud to reach this incredible milestone with our electric terminal trucks," said Kevin Buss, DTI Director of Fleet Maintenance. "These trucks have consistently supported our operations, and the 30,000-hour mark proves the durability and reliability of Orange EV's electric terminal trucks in our high-demand environments. After more than 6 years and 30,000 hours, the Orange EV trucks are still going strong creating a safer, healthier environment for our drivers and providing benefits that extend far beyond environmental impact."
Alongside the trucks, Dot Transportation utilizes strategically-paired charging stations that ensure the trucks maintain high uptime and can operate continuously across multiple shifts without interruption. This charging infrastructure has been crucial in keeping the trucks ready for constant use, the company noted, resulting in a more dependable fleet that aligns with DTI's efficiency and environmental objectives.
Dot Transportation added three more Orange EV electric trucks to their fleet, leading to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and making DTI a model for companies seeking to minimize environmental impact without sacrificing productivity. Looking forward, Dot Transportation plans to add four more Orange EV trucks in 2025 and expand its partnership with Orange EV.
[Related: Going yard: Trucking goes electric without hitting the open road]
Fontaine Modification acquires ProBilt Services
Fontaine Modification has acquired the ProBilt Services location in Denton, Texas.Fontaine Modification
Fontaine Modification, a provider of post-production services for truck manufacturers, dealers, and fleets, announced Tuesday it has acquired ProBilt Services, an upfitter located just three miles from Peterbilt’s Denton, Texas, truck manufacturing facility. With the acquisition, Fontaine is expanding the modification and upfit services it offers for Peterbilt trucks and others.
The Denton acquisition gives Fontaine its third modification center in Texas, joining locations in Garland and Laredo. It follows Fontaine’s 2019 acquisition of the other ProBilt Services operation located near the Kenworth plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. Fontaine now has 11 modification centers nationwide.
“This acquisition strengthens our position in the heavy-truck industry, provides new opportunities for growth and expands our ability to support our customers,” said Jamil Young, Fontaine Modification president. “We look forward to continuing to build on ProBilt’s reputation for quality and reliability.”
The Denton site includes a 30,000-square-foot facility that boasts parking for 250 trucks. It is configured for post-production truck upfits and modifications, including body modification and drivetrain changes, primarily to heavy-duty Peterbilt truck models. The Denton team also installs clean fuel technology, including options for battery-electric, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles.
Fontaine acquired ProBilt from its founders, Toney Fitzgerald and Fred Toothman. While Fitzgerald has elected to retire, the rest of the ProBilt team will continue with Fontaine, led by Toothman as Denton operations manager.
Truckstop exec joins Truck Parking Club
Brent Hutto, the longtime Chief Relationship Officer at Truckstop and a trucking industry veteran, has joined Truck Parking Club in the same role.
In his role at Truck Parking Club, Hutto will be focusing on tackling the industry’s truck parking crisis, noted Truck Parking Club Co-Founder and CEO Evan Shelley. Hutto will also remain a senior advisor to Truckstop.
"I am excited to join Truck Parking Club, which is moving quickly to help solve one of the most pressing challenges in trucking today,” Hutto said. “The truck parking crisis affects nearly every driver on the road, and Truck Parking Club is well-positioned to make a real difference.”
Shelley said Hutto’s “deep industry relationships and decades of experience building solutions for truckers will be invaluable as we work to solve the parking crisis across America.” He added that the addition of Hutto “is going to help us move even faster toward our goal of making sure every trucker has access to safe, reliable parking when and where they need it.”
