Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Nov. 13, 2020:
Cummins, Navistar partnership to focus on hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 truck
Cummins and Navistar announced they will work together on the development of a Class 8 truck powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The project will be funded in part through an award from the U.S. Department of Energy.
“This vehicle will feature our next generation fuel cell configuration and provides a springboard for us to advance our hydrogen technology for line haul trucks,” said Amy Davis, vice president and president, New Power at Cummins. “We are also excited to build on our strong relationship with Navistar, which dates back 80 years, and work together to lower costs and make hydrogen-powered vehicles more accessible for fleets to adopt.”
The award from DOE is one of two grants awarded to Cummins, totaling more than $7 million, and will aid in the development of an integrated fuel cell electric powertrain for heavy-duty trucks.
The powertrain will be integrated into an International RH Series and uses two HyPM HD90 power modules, made up of HD45 fuel cell stacks connected in series. Instead of having a single large fuel cell operate at an inefficient partial load, individual HD45 power modules can be turned on/off to provide adequate power at an efficient full load.
The prototype fuel cell Class 8 truck will ultimately see a year-long field test, the companies said. It will be integrated into Werner Enterprises’ fleet of more than 7,700 tractors and operated in real-world local and/or regional delivery operation out of Fontana, California.
Tri-State places bet in driver hiring
High-security trucking company Tri-State Motor Transit is putting its money where its mouth is in driver recruiting, offering $5,000 to new hires if their pay isn’t what is being promised.
Tri-State says qualifying new hire truckers will make more in their first six months with the company than they did in their most recent six months with their prior company. If not, Tri-State will pay them a $5,000 guaranteed cash bonus.
“Our drivers are the best paid in the industry, and we’re ready to prove it to new drivers,” said Tri-State CEO John Wilbur. “What do they have to lose? If new drivers don’t make more money as promised, then I’ll lose the bet. I hate to lose, but I’ll honor my word and pay up.”
