Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Electric Vehicle Interest Accelerated in Third Quarter, ACT Says

Several high-profile electric vehicle concepts have been introduced the third quarter of 2017, indicating increasing interest from the trucking industry, according to a report from ACT Research.

by Staff
September 19, 2017
Electric Vehicle Interest Accelerated in Third Quarter, ACT Says

Photo: Jim Park

2 min to read


Photo: Jim Park

Several high-profile electric vehicle concepts have been introduced the third quarter of 2017, indicating increasing interest from the trucking industry, according to a report from ACT Research.

Three different companies recently made significant announcements in the electric vehicle industry. Cummins suprised the industry by launching its own fully electric Class 7 daycab tractor dubbed the Urban Hauler EV, which is a prototype model only. However, the company plans to start producing electric powertrains for transit buses globally in 2019.

Ad Loading...

Motiv Power Systems announced that the City of Sacramento, California, will receive its first all-electric garbage truck in the early part of 2018. The technology powering the Electric Refuse Vehicle is an all-electric powertrain from Motiv.

“The Class 8 vehicle will be built on a Crane Carrier chassis, and the body will be built by Loadmaster,” noted Tom Rhein, president of Rhein Associates. “The Sacramento ERV will be one of only two all-electric refuse trucks in operation within North America, both powered by Motiv; the other is in Chicago.”

Chanje, a california electric vehicle company, is introducing a commercial all-electric medium-duty vehicle later this year that is expected to be available at mass scale by the end of the year. Its electric cargo cans are designed from the ground up as purpose-built, long-life EVs, according to ACT.

Ad Loading...

The analysis was from ACT’s recently released North American On-Highway Commercial Vehicle Engine Outlook, which was produced with Rhein Associates. The report presents historical trends, current activity and forecasts of engine demand in on-highway commercial vehicles. It identifies trends in engine displacement, type, captive and non-captive engines, and premium compared to non-premium power for Class 8 vehicles.

Rhein Associates is a supplier of powertrain information globally. RAI produces three major publications: The Rhein Report, The Future of Diesel Engines (5-year history and forecast book), and various engine databases, as well as various consulting projects.

More Fuel Smarts

EquipmentJuly 23, 2026

Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal

The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.

Read More →
Four men in suits on the National Mall with giant video screen showing capitol building in the background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 10, 2026

EPA Proposal Could Ease 2027 Truck Costs and Buying Uncertainty

The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.

Read More →
Illustration showing Paccar MX engine with sketch illustration of DEF fill tank in background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 7, 2026

Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance

Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration with wrenches in background with "Maintenance in the Messy Middle: Biodiesel" text and NACFE Run on Less logo
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJuly 2, 2026

Maintenance in the Messy Middle Part 3: Biodiesel

Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.

Read More →
thermo king heavy duty trucking
Safety & ComplianceJuly 1, 2026

Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units

Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.

Read More →
Illustration with wrenches in background with "Maintenance in the Messy Middle: Renewable Diesel" text and NACFE Run on Less logo
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJune 29, 2026

Maintenance in the ‘Messy Middle’ Part 2: Renewable Diesel Fuel

NACFE's latest Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says renewable diesel gives fleets an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without changing trucks, fueling infrastructure or maintenance practices. But technicians still need to understand several important operational differences.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration messy middle maintenance diesel with wrenches in background
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

The Diesel Engine Enters NACFE’s ‘Messy Middle’

NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.

Read More →
Illustration showing DEF tank and Detroit engine
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJune 18, 2026

DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect

The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.

Read More →
Illustration of exhaust aftertreatment system on an AI-inspired blue background and a green fuel pump nozzle in the foreground.
Maintenanceby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel

Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →