Save the Date: New TRSA Fleet Summit, May 9-10
Click Here to Register for Fleet Summit
With California paving the way for businesses everywhere to use alternative-fuel technology and industrywide interest growing in improving effectiveness, efficiency and compliance on the road, TRSA is addressing the need for more information to support members’ fleet management and maintenance. The newest example is the inaugural Fleet Summit, slated for May 9-10, which will run in conjunction with the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, CA.
With 250-plus sponsors and exhibitors, ACT Expo provides the biggest and most comprehensive assembly of advanced technology commercial vehicles anywhere – including battery electric, hydrogen, natural gas and propane Autogas. More than 75 advanced clean vehicles will be displayed and a “Ride and Drive” program will enable participants to test drive technologies that can help fleets lower fuel costs, reduce emissions and achieve the same engine performance.
No matter where cleaner fuel technology fits into your plans, the Summit and Expo provide an opportunity to think long term and see immediately applicable technologies related to trucking efficiency, automation and connected tech. This includes:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Aerodynamic truck and trailer solutions
- Cargo and material-handling equipment
- Connected vehicle technology
- Fleet management and vehicle leasing
- Fuel and vehicle-efficiency technologies
- GPS tracking solutions
- Telematics
In a related development, Los Angeles-based Xos Inc. announced on March 8 that it will deliver three vehicles to UniFirst Corp. in Santa Fe Springs, CA, as part of an initial rollout of vehicles purchased by the company. Xos manufactures Class 5 through Class 8 battery-electric vehicles and powertrains, and provides charging infrastructure and fleet management software.
“We are thrilled to be rolling out the fully-electric vehicles from Xos,” said Michael Croatti, UniFirst operations executive VP. “We are continuously working to reduce our environmental impact and transitioning our fleet from diesel to electric is important to us. The vehicles from Xos will help us reduce our overall emission output.”
The Santa Fe Springs delivery is described as the first of several to UniFirst across the United States, with one in the second half of 2022 planned for Boston, where the company is headquartered. Click here for details.
California has long been the bellwether for clean-air automotive regulation that spreads across the United States. The state air resources board (CARB) is beginning to press laundries to use emission-free (electric) vehicles. It’s anticipated that by 2025, 10% of laundry vehicles will need to meet this standard; the figure rises to 25% by 2028 and 50% by 2031. Requirements for larger vehicles will take effect more slowly (10% by 2030).
CARB is on the agenda for the TRSA Fleet Summit, as the agency recognizes the need to educate fleet operators and promote publicly supported incentives to invest in these vehicles. Utilities, for example, are expected to provide incentives to install charging infrastructure.
Sessions at the TRSA Fleet Summit will include:
- Town Hall discussion of industry issues
- Nationwide significance of emerging California alternative vehicle law
- Tactics for improving fleet safety
Save the Dates! Your TRSA Fleet Summit registration will take you to the Expo both Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 10, starting with lunch at the Town Hall at noon Monday. The Expo will be open on Tuesday until 6 p.m. with Ride and Drive available from noon to 3 p.m.
Thanks to Kenn Klein and his team at TRSA Supplier Partner member Morgan Olson for alerting TRSA to the opportunity to conduct the Summit at the ACT Expo, where the company will be an exhibitor.
See TRSA’s Textile Services Weekly and e-mail promotions for more details. Questions? Contact TRSA’s Director of Member and Industry Relations Ken Koepper at 540.613.5110.