Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025:
Cargo theft activity slowed in January
Overhaul observed that 39% of thefts in January occurring between Monday and Tuesday, rather than the more typical end-of-week trend.Overhaul
Cargo theft in the United States during January showed a slowdown compared to the levels observed since the last quarter of 2024, according to cargo theft recording firm Overhaul.
The firm attributed the trend to reduced economic activity in January following the conclusion of two major holidays.
Overhaul observed that theft levels were mostly consistent through most of the month, noting that the final week of the month saw an uptick in theft activity.
“This rising trend is expected to continue into February, with a gradual increase in cargo theft incidents week over week,” the firm added.
Overhaul said that contrary to trends from November and December, cargo theft was not concentrated in the latter days of the week but rather in the early days, with 39% of thefts occurring between Monday and Tuesday. Examining the timing of these events, 44% occurred overnight and 31% in the afternoon.
Where theft activity is occurring remained consistent in January, as Southern California remains the primary hotspot in the country, followed by Memphis, Chicago, and various locations in Texas and Pennsylvania.
The primary types of theft included full truckload thefts and pilferage while shipments were left unattended at warehouses, secure parking places, truck stops, and company yards. Additionally, a few incidents of last-mile courier theft and deceptive pickups were recorded during the month.
Large fuel retailer launching new fleet card
Convenience store operator and fuel retailer EG America (EGA) has announced a new business fleet card in partnership with fintech payments platform AtoB.
The Alloy Fleet+ Card, tailored to support the needs of fleet customers, will provide discounts at EG America’s family of brands, best-in-class technology tools, fraud prevention tools and robust credit and credit-building options, the company said.
EG America is the operator of Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N’ Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb, and Turkey Hill stores.
The card offers competitive fuel discounts at more than 1,400 EG America stores and provides purchase ability at more than 150,000 fueling locations. Alloy Fleet+ cardholders will receive a 20-cent-per-gallon discount for the first 90 days, with discounts up to eight cents-per-gallon afterward. Cardholders will also have access to exclusive non-fuel perks, Mastercard Easy Savings benefits, and 1% cash back on non-fuel expenses for those who qualify.
With the launch of the card, EG America seeks to incentivize continued fuel purchases while offering exclusive perks and deep value to a growing B2B customer base. The Alloy Fleet+ Card will launch in Q1 2025.
Mack launches fully-electric bucket truck
Mack Trucks has announced its entry into the specialized utility segment with a Mack MD Electric and Terex Utilities fully-electric bucket truck, marking a significant milestone in the company's battery electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio.
The new offering will be showcased at NTEA Work Truck Week, March 4-7, at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis in Mack booth No. 3123.
The new offering pairs Mack's electric MD7 chassis with Terex's Optima HR55 aerial device, delivering more payload capacity and range for utility fleet operations.Mack Trucks
“This electric bucket truck represents the next natural step in our commitment to sustainable transportation solutions,” said George Fotopoulos, vice president of E-mobility at Mack Trucks. “Our lightweight electric chassis provides the capability to handle more demanding applications, and when combined with Terex’s expertise in utility equipment, we’re delivering a solution that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in zero tailpipe emissions utility vehicles.”
According to Terex, the Mack MD Electric chassis enables up to 1.5 times greater range compared with other Class 6/7 medium-duty electric bucket trucks, while providing double the rear axle payload capacity. This advancement directly addresses previous challenges in the utility sector, where the combined weight of aerial equipment and battery systems often presented operational limitations.
“Our collaboration with Mack Trucks represents continued movement forward in zero tailpipe emissions utility vehicles,” said Tyler Schwingler, product marketing manager at Terex Utilities. “By combining our industry-leading Optima HR55 aerial device with Mack's innovative MDe7 chassis, we’re providing utility companies with a solution that doesn’t compromise on performance or capability while meeting their sustainability goals.”
The Terex aerial device is powered by the HyPower SmartPTO by Viatec, operating independently from the truck's power system. This configuration ensures utility crews can complete a normal workday with the boom and outriggers without impacting the truck's driving range.
“Electric utilities now have an EV truck with the apparatuses they need to service poles and lines, and it's fueled by what they produce – electricity,” Fotopoulos said. “As we continue to work with body builders to progress the MD Electric across various Class 6 and 7 commercial truck applications, this collaboration demonstrates Mack’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions that meet our customers’ specific needs.”
