TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2022.06.25 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending June 25, 2022.
1. Regarding fuel, fuel taxes, excise tax, emissions, and carbon:
Fuel
If you live in the USA and believe that politics plays a role in the price of fuel, please contact your elected officials and express your opinion:
You may also call your state level elected officials.
Meanwhile, here are some of the most recent articles about fuel as it affects the trucking industry, if even indirectly:
- California Democrats to investigate cause of high gas prices
- California Democrats to Investigate Cause of High Gas Prices
- Daily Infographic: Russia makes more money on fossil fuels than one year ago
- Diesel futures drop 5%, but an IEA report sees prices remaining high
- DOE Selects Four Winners in Hydrogen Contest
- DOE/EIA benchmark diesel price won’t be released this week
- EIA Network Issues Delay Fuel Price Release
- EIA working to restore affected fuel price reporting systems
- Even with $5 a gallon gas, Americans will celebrate July 4th on the road
- Fuel Costs Renew Focus on Empty Miles
- Fuel-discounts app aimed at independent owner-ops and truck stops
- Is transport of LNG by rail safe?
- National diesel price averages near $6 per gallon
- Tankers carrying diesel and gasoline rake in cash amid pain at the pump
- Weekly Fuel Report: June 21, 2022
Fuel taxes
As I mentioned 2 weeks ago regarding an article about Kentucky’s governor announcing action to freeze the gas tax, the suggestion regarding freezing or eliminating taxes on [state] fuel as a temporary measure to lower the overall price of fuel does two disadvantageous things, in my opinion:
- it removes the ability for a state to pay for road construction and repairs that would be paid for from the tax; and
- (more importantly) it does not address the root cause of the increase in fuel prices to begin with.
But what about federal taxes on fuel?
Some brief research revealed:
- Fuel taxes in the United States
- Gasoline Diesel Taxes: Federal diesel tax is 24.4 cents per gallon.
More questions come to mind, such as how much of the federal diesel tax goes into creating or maintaining roads such as interstate highways?
Be that as it may, here are some of the most recent articles on this topic:
- Biden asks Congress, states to suspend fuel taxes
- Biden Call for ‘Gas Tax Holiday’ Faces Uphill Battle
- Biden calls for 3-month pause of federal fuel tax; trucking lobby pushes back
- Biden calls for 3-month suspension of gas and diesel taxes
- Biden Calls for Three-Month Suspension of Gas, Diesel Taxes
- Biden calls on Congress to enact 3-month gas tax holiday
- Biden pushes for temporary fuel tax holiday
- Biden says decision on gas tax holiday may come this week
- Biden Says Decision on Gas Tax Holiday May Come This Week
- EXPLAINER: How Biden’s proposed gas tax holiday would work
- Fuel tax changes in seven states Land Line Fuel prices
- Gas Tax Holiday Would Increase Prices, Hess CEO Says
- Gas Tax Pause Would Have Little Effect on Road Funds, Biden Says
- Stakeholders, Lawmakers Oppose Gas Tax Holiday
- U.S. trucking groups don’t want fuel tax holiday
- White House calls for fuel-tax holiday — including diesel tax | Brake Safety Day out of service results
- White House to call for a three month gas and diesel federal tax holiday
- Wyoming Governor’s New Group to Target Fuel Prices
Excise tax
Emissions
- Fleets can still cut emission with internal combustionThis article does not define “ICE” but it stands for “Internal Combustion Engine.”Quote about a “tow truck company owner”:
“No, he wasn’t interested in buying a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). He was more interested in learning how to tow them properly. He explained that he had already been towing range-depleted electric cars on the side of the road, and now he wanted to get the jump on all-electric trucks and vans. (And no, he didn’t miss the irony of a ZEV being rescued by ICE.)”
- Prologis includes supply chain emissions in net-zero by 2040 target
- Trucking Critical of SEC Emissions Report Proposal
Carbon
- How are carbon insets different from carbon offsets?Carbon offsets: “A freight company may purchase carbon credits from an accredited organization that plants trees in another part of the world to offset emissions from its operations of transporting goods.””Carbon insetting happens when a company invests in making parts of its own supply chain more sustainable.”
2. Regarding unrest – DEF, DEF, unrest – diesel engine oil, unrest – Roe v. Wade, trucking conditions, and economy:
This section contains a few articles/posts by an author with whom I do not always agree, but whose perspective I appreciate reading.
Unrest – DEF
DEF
Unrest – diesel engine oil
Unrest – Roe v. Wade (via Telegram)
- Trucker reported potential Roe v. Wade civil unrest – 1
- Trucker reported potential Roe v. Wade civil unrest – 2
Trucking conditions
- A potential economic recession and the supply chain bullwhip are colliding
- Biden Administration Prepares Trucking Workforce Programs Focusing on Women, Younger Drivers
- Dedicated fleets draw attention as market shifts in favor of shippers
- How the Pandemic Accelerated Change for Motor Carriers
- Inflation hurting infrastructure projects as costs for supplies spike
- Mixed Numbers on Trucking Conditions
- XPO executives say they aren’t worried about a major economic downturnQuote:”Top XPO Logistics Inc. executives have been telling investors over the past few weeks that they don’t share concerns that an economic ‘hurricane’ is about to hit the U.S., saying they haven’t seen a dramatic decline in demand for the company’s services.”
Economy
- ACT Research: US trailer order placements continue to be choppy
- ATA Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.5% in May
- Daily Infographic: Raw materials fetch premium prices
- Import demand dip hasn’t fully manifested but is sign of things to come
- Logistics costs jumped 22.4% in 2021: report
- Manufacturing dilemma: Industry analysts say more than 21,000 new trucks sold in May while orders declined
- May Data Likely to Show Used Class 8 Demand Softens Again
- Rejection rates continue to fall, leading to depression in the spot market
- Tonnage Jumps in May
- Truck Tonnage Rebounds in May
3. Regarding accident, alcohol, drugs, and inspections:
Accident
Please review these articles to see what may have led up to the accident described, so that you aren’t involved in a similar one yourself.
- Raised trailer pulls down sign on Houston freeway
- Truck driver injured after big rig slams into bridge support beam
- VIDEO: Car hauler’s load strikes Florida overpass, triggering crash
- WATCH: Car-hauler smacks into four-wheeler at downhill intersection
Alcohol
Never ever consume alcohol before you begin driving a commercial motor vehicle, no matter what.
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how big of an incentive there is.
- 1200 packages of meth discovered in US-bound tractor trailer
- Trucker busted for carrying $4 million in meth
- Woman arrested on 10th OWI after driving under semi
Inspections
If you and your rig are always ready for an inspection, you will never be caught off-guard.
- A three day I-95 traffic crackdown is underway
- Brake problems put almost 1,300 commercial vehicles out of service in one-day of inspections
- CVSA inspectors place more than 1,200 CMVs out of service during unannounced Brake Safety Day
- Expect to see more police in 5 states along I-81 throughout this week
- FMCSA announces multi-state blitz along I-81 corridor
- I-81 enforcement blitz, truck parking roundtable | Trucking conditions bounced back in April after miserable March
- Nearly 1,300 Commercial Vehicles Put Out of Service for Brake Problems
- Nearly 1300 trucks were taken off the road during 24 hour surprise brake blitz
- Suprise! Brake safety blitz takes 16.2% out of service
4. Regarding business, border, age, technology, ELDs, weigh-in-motion, and drones:
Business
- How to confront a cost crisis to keep your trucking business
- Small truckers are going out of business at record rate
Border
Age
- Adopting tech with aging truck driver population
- Vancouver port’s aging truck ban a ‘farce’, says Unifor
Technology
- Expressway cameras topic of new Illinois laws
- How Trucking’s Adoption of Telematics Has Forever Changed Fleet Management
- Maintaining relationships in a digital world
- New Louisiana law doubles fines and authorizes cameras to catch speeding drivers on I-10 bridge to try to curb crashes
- US Sanctions Help China Supercharge Its Chipmaking Industry
- Video-based telematics keep digital eyes on the road
- Visibility tools play essential role for carriers in enduring weak market
- Walmart partners with Platform Science to equip drivers with intuitive, interactive tablet
ELDs
- Alert: If you use this ELD, the FMCSA says that you’re no longer compliant
- FMCSA banishes ELD to “revoked” list
- FMCSA removes ArionT ELD from list of registered devices
Weigh-in-motion
- Idaho awards contract for new weigh-in-motion section of I-84 to Canadian firm
- Idaho to deploy weigh-in-motion, tire check tech at I-84 weigh station
- Weigh-in-motion system coming to I-84 port of entry in Idaho
Drones
While it may be possible that drones can carry light weight items, I don’t think in my lifetime that they will be used for carrying the heavier items that are often found on large semi trucks.
- Delivery Drones Back in the Headlines
- FAA Approves Zipline’s Drone-Delivery Service
- FAA certification puts drone firm Zipline in league of its own
- Wingcopter raises $42M to expand beyond medical drone deliveries
5. Regarding maintenance, loads, last mile, and recalls:
Maintenance
Loads
- DAT: Truckload van, reefer volumes slipped in May
- Load posts down, except for waning reefer loads
- Survival games: Drivers scramble for loads as trucking pendulum swings to downcycle
Last mile
Similar to my thoughts about autonomous commercial motor vehicles, I am not at all eager to see robots replace human beings.
Recalls
- Briefly: Some Kenworths and Peterbilts being recalled for ABS issue
- Mack Trucks recalls thousands of vehicles
- Navistar recalling thousands of trucks for steering gear issue
6. Regarding pay, rates, savings, and legal:
Pay
Rates
- Asia-US container shipping rates are flashing two bearish signals
- Spot flatbed rates dropped sharply in the last week
Savings
- In the trucking industry, saving pennies can add upQuoting a Director of Safety:”Sitting at a dock is unproductive for your drivers and equipment, and it’s actually costing you money”; and
“Document it, share the data with your customer and explain why it’s an issue.”
Legal
- ‘Mongoose Method’ Helps Carriers
- The Impact of Small Verdicts on Trucking Companies
- Viewpoint: FMLA denial not required to have violated employee’s rights
7. Regarding supply chain and speed limits:
Supply chain
- Drilling Deep: How to move off your antiquated supply chain systems
- FedEx invests in FourKites to build intelligent supply chain platform
- FedEx, FourKites Announce Partnership to Improve Supply Chain
- State of Logistics: Supply Chains Seek to Get in Sync
- Supply chain getting back into synch amid rising costs
- Supply chain woes still hitting CV industry’s ability to meet demand
- Viewpoint: CNBC heat map highlights global events that can impact US supply chain
- Why Google is making a big push into supply chain technology
Speed limits
- Variable speed limits to begin on I-95 northbound in VirginiaQuote:”According to a news release from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), variable speed limit signs, paired with changeable message signs, will replace static speed limit signs over a 15-mile section of I-95 northbound … between exit 110 (Ladysmith) and exit 130 (Route 3/Fredericksburg)….”
Even though you may have driven this route hundreds of times, please pay attention to the new signs and what they say.
8. Regarding tolls, training, truckers, and pets:
Tolls
Training
Truckers
Pets
Feel free to look at this page on our site:
Truckers’ Pet Travel and Saving Money in a Big Truck
- Bring Your Dog to Work Day best for Connecticut truckers
- Survey: Owner-Operators Consider Taking Pets to Work a Key Benefit
- Truckstop.com survey finds truck drivers are taking their pets on road for companionship
- Where to go when dog is your co-pilot
9. Regarding weather and solar:
Weather
- Heavy rain closes roads in parts of central Minnesota
- Pennsylvania bill: apportioned registrations, vehicle snow-ice removal
Solar
10. Regarding politics and ports:
Politics
- Biden administration seeks input on independent contractor definition
- How much did Biden administration give states to reduce truck crashes?
- Inflation means Biden’s infrastructure package gets less bang for the buck
Ports
- Ports on Both Coasts Report Record Volume in May
- US Ports Face Renewed Congestion Amid China Reopening (link no longer online)
11. Regarding autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles:
Autonomous vehicles
I totally oppose the use of driverless, self-driving, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring pubic, but share these articles as a courtesy to help you stay informed.
- Autonomous Developers Must Address Tech Concerns
- Autonomous truck maker and Texas DPS working on procedure for pulling over a driverless semi
- Autonomous vehicle bill passes Pennsylvania House
- Einride Gets NHTSA Approval to Test Driverless Pods
- Feds approve driverless, cabless truck for operation on U.S. roads
- Hydron looks to combine autonomous tech, hydrogen fuel cells
- NHTSA gives OK for autonomous Einride Pods on public roadways
- NHTSA signs off on new driverless ‘pod’
Electric vehicles
- 150 BrightDrop EVs delivered to FedEx
- Ballard Truck Center Gains Electric Dealer Certification
- CATL Unveils EV Battery With Longer Range
- Electric Trucks Get Boost From Multi-Megawatt Charging Stations
- Electric Vehicle Working Group Seeks Members by July 15
- FedEx gets first BrightDrop EV delivery vans
- FedEx Takes Delivery of 150 BrightDrop EVs
- Ford Pledges to Work With Community Near Future EV Factory
- Nikola Tre BEV Approved for New York Incentive Program
- Sen. Joe Manchin Says EV Tax Credit Bonus Is Gone From Spending Bill
- Toyota Recalls EV for Wheel That May Detach
- VTNA Adds Its First EV Dealership in Tennessee
12. Regarding awards:
We recognize those who helped their fellow human beings in a time of need:
- Bison driver Kenichi Tanisaki honored for helping trainer who fell ill
- Quick-thinking trucker saves the life of a man kneeling in the road in bizarre dash cam video
- Teenage Eagle Scout pulls wrecked driver to safety
We are thrilled to read of scheduled driving championships and look forward to reading about the winners:
We congratulate truckers who achieved a nomination or award for their driving skills:
- Allen Sohn wins Iowa driving title; XPO takes home team trophy
- CPC Logistics honors its top drivers at NASCAR race; drive laps on their rigs
- MTA recognizes top drivers
My husband Mike and I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2022.06.25 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
