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Mack Trucks refreshes MD Series with new driver-focused features

#Selfdriving semi-trucks are on their way and heading to U.S. roads during 2024 despite job fears, lack of #regulation, and public concerns. Test drives have been conducted in some states such as Texas, Florida, Arizona, and New Mexico. Commercial use may be coming sooner than previously thought. Read Nick Koutroulis's latest article on self-driving #trucks and what they mean for #logistics:

The Trends in Truck Trailers and Benefits of Smart Trailers

If you want to buy an electric pickup truck, your options are still fairly limited, but they are available. However, if you want to buy a little truck, not your standard full-size pickup, you’re almost out of luck unless you opt for a NEV with a small bed on the back, and the specs on those tiny #EVs are nowhere near what is needed for a functional #pickuptruck, especially if you want to go faster than 25 mph. And it’s a shame, because once upon a time, there were plenty of options for small pickups (#gaspowered, obviously), and those mini trucks took up no more space than a sedan, whereas today’s trucks seem to only come in two sizes — big and bigger — even though they are overkill for many people’s hauling needs. However, if the TELO electric truck can go from its current #prototype status to a production-ready vehicle, the electric pickup segment could get a small but capable entry, and maybe even be able to live up to its claimed status as “the world’s most efficient EV pickup.” According to TELO Trucks, more than 2,500 pre-orders have been placed for the pickup (with a small refundable deposit), although no mention has been made yet of when or where those first trucks will actually be built, so it’s entirely possible that production of a road-ready model will be a long time coming. However, a recent infusion of cash from the closing of a $5.4M strategic funding round is a hopeful sign, as is the appointment of Marc Tarpenning, a co-founder of #Tesla, to the company’s board. A rendering of the truck compared to a MINI Cooper, image courtesy of TELO Trucks TELO Trucks makes some big claims about the mini truck, including the aforementioned “most efficient” label, but even just the basic #footprint of the vehicle alone puts it into a class of its own, as its 152-inch length is the same as a #MINICooper SE, and yet its 60″ bed is the same length as the bed in a #Toyota Tacoma. The 4-door truck will seat 5, and a “configurable mid-partition” behind the rear seats can allow the bed to carry 8-foot long items, or “additional seating for up to 8 passengers.” It is also designed with a storage tunnel under the bed for gear, which can also double as a footwell for a third row of seats. Not too shabby, eh? A prototype with a roll cage installed (photo by Patrick Gilles, courtesy of TELO Trucks As far as its specs go, TELO states that it will be propelled by a dual motor AWD system capable of putting out up to 500 hp, and will have a 350-mile range from its 106kWh battery pack, which is claimed to have a 20-minute fast charge time from 20-80%. Top speed will be 125 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 4 seconds, and its empty weight is stated as 4,400 pounds. TELO says the  base pricing on these mini trucks will be $49,999, although since it’s still early days, the specs and the pricing could change quite a bit once production begins.

🚚 When it comes to the mechanics of semi-trucks, one of the most frequently asked questions revolves around their transmission system. Whether it's a automatic or manual aside, people often wonder, "how many gears does a semi-truck have?" Semi-trucks are designed to haul large loads over long distances. To do this, they are equipped with transmissions that have a higher number of gears compared to passenger vehicles. The number of gears a semi has varies based on the make, model and specific use of the truck. Most semi-trucks have either 10, 13 or 18 gears. While they can have anywhere from eight to 18 gears, these are the most common configurations to see. But why do semi-trucks need so many? The simple answer is power and efficiency ⚙️ - In a lower gear, more torque is provided to the wheels. This is useful for starting up the truck, climbing steep inclines and hauling heavy loads ⛰️ - In a higher gear, the wheels turn faster, even though the engine is at the same revolutions per minute (rpm) as in a lower gear. This reduces fuel consumption and engine wear, which is useful for highway driving and maintaining consistent speeds ⛽ Read more: https://bit.ly/3KeJyss #theagteam #trucker #wisdomwednesday #feelingshifty

🚚 When it comes to the mechanics of semi-trucks, one of the most frequently asked questions revolves around their transmission system. Whether it's a automatic or manual aside, people often wonder, "how many gears does a semi-truck have?" Semi-trucks are designed to haul large loads over long distances. To do this, they are equipped with transmissions that have a higher number of gears compared to passenger vehicles. The number of gears a semi has varies based on the make, model and specific use of the truck. Most semi-trucks have either 10, 13 or 18 gears. While they can have anywhere from eight to 18 gears, these are the most common configurations to see. But why do semi-trucks need so many? The simple answer is power and efficiency ⚙️ - In a lower gear, more torque is provided to the wheels. This is useful for starting up the truck, climbing steep inclines and hauling heavy loads ⛰️ - In a higher gear, the wheels turn faster, even though the engine is at the same revolutions per minute (rpm) as in a lower gear. This reduces fuel consumption and engine wear, which is useful for highway driving and maintaining consistent speeds ⛽ Read more: https://bit.ly/3KeJyss #theagteam #trucker #wisdomwednesday #feelingshifty

🚚 When it comes to the mechanics of semi-trucks, one of the most frequently asked questions revolves around their transmission system. Whether it's a automatic or manual aside, people often wonder, "how many gears does a semi-truck have?" Semi-trucks are designed to haul large loads over long distances. To do this, they are equipped with transmissions that have a higher number of gears compared to passenger vehicles. The number of gears a semi has varies based on the make, model and specific use of the truck. Most semi-trucks have either 10, 13 or 18 gears. While they can have anywhere from eight to 18 gears, these are the most common configurations to see. But why do semi-trucks need so many? The simple answer is power and efficiency ⚙️ - In a lower gear, more torque is provided to the wheels. This is useful for starting up the truck, climbing steep inclines and hauling heavy loads ⛰️ - In a higher gear, the wheels turn faster, even though the engine is at the same revolutions per minute (rpm) as in a lower gear. This reduces fuel consumption and engine wear, which is useful for highway driving and maintaining consistent speeds ⛽ Read more: https://bit.ly/3KeJyss #theagteam #trucker #wisdomwednesday #feelingshifty

🚚 Diversifying the Fleet: Not All Truckers Drive Class 8s The trucking industry is seeing a growing trend towards smaller trucks, such as chassis cabs and other non-Class 8 vehicles. These trucks offer: 🔹 Enhanced maneuverability 🔹 Lower operating costs 🔹 Flexibility for diverse routes and cargo types Popular models include light-duty chassis cabs and medium-duty trucks, which are well-suited for urban areas and shorter routes. This shift reflects the industry's evolving landscape, where versatility and adaptability are key. Diversifying your fleet with these smaller, agile vehicles can open new market opportunities and improve operational efficiency. #truckingjobs #truckingcompany #hmdtrucking

🚚🛣️ The future of trucking is barreling down the highway. Or is it? 🛣️🚚 Fascinating report in the Washington Post on self-driving trucks and their potential to transform how goods move across America. https://lnkd.in/gQHvYUJ6 Companies like Aurora Innovation and Kodiak Robotics are spearheading the deployment of fully autonomous trucks in Texas. This could be a significant step towards transforming America's supply chain. Yes, autonomous trucks promise efficiency and speed but also raise vital questions. Three things stood out: 𝟭. 𝗛𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Every state can decide if they want autonomous trucks on their roads. So far, 10 states have said no. This issue is too important to leave to a patchwork of regulations. The federal government is working on a rule but it is not ready yet. 𝟮. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: In a 2021 study, 2% of the long-haul driver workforce will be impacted over the five years. While the transformation may seem gradual, it still will have a significant impact on the workforce. We need proactive plans to upskill and retrain the drivers who keep our economy moving. 𝟯. 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱? Could autonomous trucks ease long-haul burdens and create new tech-focused trucking careers? How would the supply chain impacted in the long-term? What are your thoughts on the opportunities and challenges we face? #AutonomousTrucking #SupplyChain #Safety

Class 6 and 7 are next up in Escalent's Commercial Insights blog series - starting with #Truck products that make up 2/3 of the volume. Read on for more about the #OEMs, #Powertrains, the cab configurations, #Upfits, and what lies ahead for these vehicles. #FAH #Fleet #CommercialVehicles #Insights #Data Work Truck Solutions Comvoy.com