The new podcast from Heavy Duty Trucking’s editorial team, HDT Talks Trucking, delves into two hot issues in episodes three and four of its debut season, released Feb. 3: drug testing of truck drivers, and digging into some of the practical concerns of how carriers can add electric trucks to their fleets.

Season 1, Episode 3: Does Trucking Have a Drug Problem?

There’s been a lot of recent activity on the drug-testing front in trucking: The debut of FMCSA’s long-awaited Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a doubling of the percentage of drivers who must be randomly tested, and increased interest in alternatives to traditional urine testing. How is the legalization of marijuana in many states affecting the drug-testing of trucking’s safety-sensitive workers? What will the Clearinghouse mean for motor carriers? Why do some in the industry advocate for hair testing? This episode features an interview with Dave Osiecki, the president and CEO of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting, offering insight into these questions and others.

Season 1 Episode 4 - How Do We Get Started With Electric Trucks?

There's still a lot we don't know about how electric trucks are going to work in real-world fleet operations. How will we integrate them into our fleets? How much will they cost? How much will we pay for electricity compared to diesel? Will we be able to maintain our productivity and still run at a profit? HDT Talks Trucking host and HDT Equipment Editor Jim Park moderated a panel discussion at the Bobit Fleet Forward Conference on electrifying medium- and heavy-duty trucks. They don't have all the answers to these questions yet, but they are further along than most of us. This edition of HDT Talks Trucking features highlights from that panel:

• Bill Combs, director of Connected Fleets at Penske Transportation Solutions

• Chris Nordh, senior director of Advanced Vehicle Technologies & Energy Products at Ryder

• Will Quinn, a manager on Pacific Gas and Electric's newly created Clean Energy Transportation Team serving northern California

Episodes one and two of HDT Talks Trucking delved into how fleets can improve a less-than-stellar safety record, and HDT Senior Editor Jack Roberts and Equipment Editor Jim Park discussing how fast electric truck development is advancing, and their experiences driving and reporting on various electric trucks in recent years.

HDT Talks Trucking is available at https://www.truckinginfo.com/podcasts or via podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.