Electric Fire Engine is a reality in the US

The City of Los Angeles Fire Department welcomed its first electric fire engine, and one of the first in the US. The Rosenbauer RTX will soon enter service at the LAFD Station 82 in Hollywood. Back in 2019, the company brought a prototype on a tour of North America to show it to some fire departments. Recently, the Los Angeles City Council voted to electrify its fleet of 10,000 vehicles.

Once the batteries in the engine reach 20%, an onboard diesel range extender will kick in and recharge the batteries in as little as 45 minutes. This will extend operations for another four to six hours, according to Todd McBridge, RTX sales and marketing manager.

Here are some other features of the LAFD’s engine:

– adjustable suspension can be changed depending on the terrain

– 500-gallon water tank

– can hold up to 1,000 ft. of a 4- or 5-in. hose

– two 6-in. intakes on the rear, plus two auxiliary intakes

– power supply unit that can down-convert the 800 volts to either 220 or 110, replacing the need for a hydraulic, diesel, or gas generator on the vehicle.

Early this year, the Los Angeles City Council voted in favor of transitioning the city’s fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles to an electric fleet. The move, which was approved recently, will affect all vehicles in the city’s fleet. The city’s current electric fleet consists of 124 electric sedans, 46 plug-in electric hybrids, and two hybrid electric street sweepers.

The city’s Department of General Services (GSD) will work with departments under its jurisdiction to determine electric vehicle (EV) requires using existing and emerging technologies. The GSD will also work alongside the Bureau of Engeineering and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to assess prioritization and installation of fleet, public, and employee EV chargers at more than 600 GSD-maintained buildings and yards across the city. O’Farrell said the city will need to install 97,000 charging stations by 2030 to keep up with the EV demand.

What Makes Link2Pump Different?

Link2Pump is a cloud-based fuel management system tailored for businesses pumping fuel from bulk storage tanks. By managing and automating the fueling process, fleet managers and business owners prevent fuel theft, simplify the entire reporting process and support decision-making with comprehensive data in real time.

We developed an innovative — yet simple — device that automates your fuel consumption and helps you control your fleet. Designed to automate fuel dispensers located in yards and garages (internal fueling), access to the system is completely web-based, meaning there’s no need to install software, and it can be used from any computer or smartphone. It’s a one-touch solution for monitoring fueling times, fuelings by vehicles, fueling volume, fueling agents, distance traveled by hours worked, average consumption and virtual storage in the tank. 

Our solutions

Link2Pump Pedestal automates the fueling process on-site, capturing data points you need and sending them to your online account in real-time. Account access is available from any device, anywhere, any time. Fully compatible with mechanical, digital and electronic dispensers, each unit controls up to 4 fueling points and features extensive data input options and restriction capabilities.

We also offer mobile applications that pack the same technological power from L2P Pedestal into a compact enclosure to fit fuel trucks, tanker trucks or any kind of mobile tanks. Whether used solo or combined with an L2P pedestal, filling up equipment out in the field is safely tracked in real-time, with in-unit and cloud backup for added security.

Therefore, you can improve delivery planning and fuel distribution management, saving money without losing effectiveness and deadlines.

Lifetime warranty

Our unique lifetime warranty protects your investment and eliminates unexpected expenses. We offer a hassle-free parts replacement policy, where servicing is simple and easy and can be done quickly by the customer, reducing down-time to a minimum.

Popular Integrations

Link2Pump also offers open API for seamless and free integration with 3rd party software. Your fuel transactions and tank inventory data in the L2P system can interface via web service with basically any software platform, such as fleet fuel cards, billing programs, fleet maintenance, telematics, and much more. You can also export to text and spreadsheet files.

Fuel tax refund

Link2Pump can easily track and reconcile all information needed for filing fuel tax refund claims with a one-click report. It is easy to save money with our service. The best part is that facilitating the tax refunds process is part of our service, and you don’t pay anything extra for it. So with Link2Pump you can automate your managing process, have up to 25% fuel saving plus 10 hours in time savings, and also have fuel tax refunds made easy.

Our company has solutions for several industries, such as agriculture, aviation, construction, government, marinas, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and utilities. If you are searching for alternatives to improve your productivity and bottom line, and want to learn more about our solution, please get in touch.

 

Reasons why fleets are electrifying

Bloomberg NEF’s latest Electric Vehicle Outlook report suggests that by 2040 one-third of commercial vehicles worldwide could be electric. Whether it’s cost savings, sustainability goals or adhering to government environmental targets, the motivations for the shift to electric are diverse.

Vehicle availability

According to BNEF, sales of electric fleet vehicles will more than double this year compared to 2020. Why? There will simply be more models and types of EVs to choose from. Automakers plan to introduce dozens of light- and heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles in 2022. Players include electric-born start-ups like London-based Arrival, Amazon-backed Rivian and EV-leader Tesla, as well as traditional manufacturers including Daimler, Ford and Volvo. More vehicle choice removes what has traditionally been one of the biggest barriers to fleet EV adoption.

Electric vehicles may improve quality of life

There is a reason why EVs are taking center stage in the efforts to combat climate change. The EPA states that the transportation sector is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 29% of all emissions. Transitioning to electric vehicles will be essential for reducing our carbon footprint and achieving the climate goals of initiatives like the Paris Agreement.

Cost savings

Cost savings are a major driver of fleet electrification as well. EV first movers have already experienced savings of between 20% and 25% over traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. That’s even before light-duty EVs reach cost parity with traditional vehicles thanks to falling battery prices. How? Reduced fuel and maintenance costs. Electricity is cheaper than either gasoline or diesel. Fleet managers are able to further lower fuel costs by using networked charging to optimize efficiencies. Finally, EVs have far fewer moving parts compared to their ICE counterparts, resulting in significantly lower maintenance costs and a longer working life, reducing the total cost of ownership even more.

Big brands are electrifying their fleets

Sustainability commitments are the third main driver of electric fleet adoption. The Climate Group, The Climage Pledge and Ceres’ Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance have all played a huge role in advancing EV adoption by global fleets. Major brands, including delivery giants Amazon, UPS, FedEx and DPD have all announced plans to electrify in the coming years. In 2019, Amazon announced its intention to purchase 100,000 electric delivery vans from Rivian, with plans to deploy the first 10,000 “as early as 2022.” For its part, DPD plans to offer green delivery to 200 European cities by 2025. Back in 2019 the company promised to convert 10% of its fleet—over 700 vehicles—to electric by this year. It reached its goal in July 2020, five months early.

The EV market has advanced rapidly over the last couple of years. That being said, it is predicted that most EVs should reach price parity by 2025 as battery costs continue to drop. 

These are all compelling reasons for fleet electrification, but they’re not the only ones. Companies around the world understand more than anybody that everything is connected. By doing their part to combat climate change, they are realizing other benefits as well, including cleaner air, healthier cities and improved quality of life for their customers and employees. In short, electrification isn’t only good for the planet; it’s also good for business.

Fleet Management Global Market To Grow At Rate Of 17% Through 2026

According to Fleet Management Global Market Report 2022, the fleet management market size is expected to grow from $14.15 billion in 2021 to $16.27 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.98%.

The growth in the market is mainly due to the companies resuming their operations and adapting to the new normal while recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. 

As per TBRC’s fleet management market research, the market is expected to reach $30.80 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 17.31%. The increasing demand for commercial vehicles is expected to drive the fleet management market during the forecast period. 

Market Overview

  • The fleet management solution (FMS) market primarily integrates software, hardware, connectivity solutions, and network infrastructure to offer effective monitoring and reporting systems for fleet operators. The solution benefits fleet operators by saving costs and resource expenditure while ensuring that the fleet complies with the prevailing standards. The primary focus of the market vendors has been to drive the overall efficiency of a fleet business by eliminating services that offer marginal value.
  • Fleet management solutions are being widely used by large- and medium-scale fleet owners for streamlining operations. The rate of adoption among small fleet owners has been slow, owing to factors like lack of awareness, limited operation scale, smaller budgets, limited compliance norms, high capital requirements, and a rise in operational costs.
  • According to AT&T, the annual accident rate for commercial fleets is about 20%. Fleet accidents have the most expensive injury claims for businesses, with an average cost of about USD 70,000 per accident. This has emphasized the need to manage the commercial fleet.

Market Trends 

  • The driver management systems in fleet management solutions include applications, such as driver registration, insurance risk management, and analysis. The prime motive of driver management systems is to study the driver behavior and make necessary changes to driving styles, which will reduce fuel consumption and improve the vehicle’s maintenance.
  • According to a 2021 Fleet technology trend report by Verizon the fleet businesses are achieving value by investing in fleet tracking technology. Approximately 96% of fleets in the country are deploying GPS fleet tracking software.

So, we can expect the adoption of cloud computing systems and the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) with the transportation industry, which are among the key factors driving the growth of the market. 

In addition to this, rapid adoption of wireless technology and advancement in 4G and 5G technologies offering wide area coverage, enhanced productivity, along with quick access and response to the users, are also creating a positive impact on the market.

 

Meet the first remote truck driver job

Swedish freight tech company Einride, which developed the autonomous electric transport Pod, has created a new trucking driving job, the world’s first Remote Pod Operator. The ability to operate several trucks from one location offers a better lifestyle and improved pay, while providing a job opportunity using existing skills and injecting the necessary human element into the process.

The company brought its truck to the SXSW 2022 conference in Austin, Texas, along with the remote station from which operators can control these pods. Each operator can be responsible for as many as 10 vehicles at a time.

Given the pods’ autonomous capabilities, the operators will not drive the vehicles but instead will be able to provide operational support to multiple pods at a time via their Automated Driving Systems, creating further efficiency that will ultimately allow for increased autonomy. In contrast to conventional trucking, remote operation will be safer, involve more regular hours, and provide a more hospitable work environment for operators.

The company claims since Oct. 1, 2020 its partners have seen a 90% decrease in CO2 emissions with electrical transport, while matching the cost of diesel. Einride was founded in 2016 and three years later became the first company to operate an autonomous, electric freight vehicle on a public road, working with such clients as Coca-Cola, SKF, and Lidl. 

Automation could reshape the workforce

Labor is a critical element of any logistics operating model, and until now, there’s always been a trade-off between service levels and costs. But automation breaks down this equation, allowing firms to offer better service and save money at the same time. Some of the industry’s most labor-intensive processes are on the way to being fully or partially automated, from warehousing to last-mile delivery.

Automated solutions in the warehouse are already being implemented and their level of sophistication is increasing. For example, automated loading and unloading systems are already available, but in the future these are likely to be able to bypass obstacles and adjust routes automatically. Advances in data processing and optics now allow tasks to be automated which were once thought too complex – like trailer loading and offloading at acceptable speeds.

Package delivery could also make more use of automation, through innovations like autonomous vehicles or delivery drones. Google has already started working on self-driving lockers, and the trucking industry is partnering with OEMs on partially automated truck convoys. Even if more radical solutions are a long time coming, other technologies which could make drivers more efficient are in the offing too, like augmented reality solutions that give drivers more information about their environment and the packages still on board. 

When we look into the future, we see disruption, we see collisions, we see transformation, but most of all we see opportunities.

 

Fuel Efficiency for Municipal Fleets

In the harsh, unyielding public spotlight, today’s municipal fleet managers must find ways to do more with less. It’s a challenge made all the more complex by the massive diversity of equipment in their fleets.

The diverse equipment pool is a double-edged sword. Many fleet executives believe that mechanics are attracted to shops with different kinds of equipment. But in an era of fierce labor shortages, finding mechanics qualified to work on the wide range of equipment is problematic. That’s why preventive maintenance is crucial in this segment.

Today’s successful municipal fleet managers have taken on a new proactive business strategy that enables them to satisfy the customer base (i.e., taxpayers) that expects reliable and efficient service at the lowest price.

Strategies to Reduce Fuel Usage by Municipal Fleets

Vehicle fuel consumption on average represents about 20% of total municipal energy usage for towns. And a good first step in reducing municipal fleet fuel consumption is to understand where and when fuel consumption is occurring.  This information can help municipal officials, staff, and volunteers to identify major sources of fuel consumption, and decide where to focus fuel usage reduction efforts.

Link2Pump service can be very useful in this area, as we offer solutions such as:

— instant tracking of fuel expenditures by department

— real-time tracking and reporting by vehicle, driver, division and more

— no fuel misuse, our system can prevent drivers from accidentally filling gas into diesel powered vehicles

With these tools, you can have a complete fuel log from each vehicle and monitor fuel use for all vehicles using the municipal pumps. 

There are also other strategies for managing vehicle operation for better vehicle and fleet fuel efficiency.  While simple, these strategies can lead to significant reductions in overall fuel consumption. You should keep an eye on:

— Proactive Vehicle Maintenance

— Anti-Idling Policies

— Green Driving Education

— Route Optimization

— Vehicle Rightsizing

— Interdepartmental Coordination 

If you want to learn more about our solution and are searching for alternatives to manage your municipal fleet, please get in touch.

Link2Pump launches on Geotab Marketplace

Link2Pump is the only automation and fuel management partner on Geotab’s marketplace. Geotab is advancing security, connecting commercial vehicles to the internet and providing web-based analytics to help customers better manage their fleets. Geotab’s open platform and Marketplace allow both small and large businesses to automate operations by integrating vehicle data with their other data assets. They were also ranked the #1 commercial telematics vendor worldwide by ABI Research and continues to be recognized for its innovative technology and solutions.

As an IoT hub, the in-vehicle device provides additional functionality through IOX Add-Ons. Processing billions of data points a day, Geotab leverages data analytics and machine learning to help customers improve productivity, optimize fleets through the reduction of fuel consumption, enhance driver safety, and achieve regulatory compliance.

The Geotab Marketplace is a complement to the MyGeotab platform that provides customers with an extensive ecosystem of valuable business-focused solutions. Customers of all sizes and industries can draw value from an improved level of operational customization and have the ability to significantly extend the use-case of their fleet management and telematics services, further broadening the benefits of MyGeotab.

Becoming a Geotab partner was a task that required a lot of work and preparation from our team so that all requirements were met. 

By integrating Link2Pump with Geotab, fleets get increased efficiency at the pump and improved reporting tools, including automatic odometer capture, over the road and on-site transaction reports on a centralized plataform, and increased ROI by combining engine idle and private roads travel data with Link2Pump centralized off-road fuel tax refund reporting.

Link2Pump provides open API for 3rd party system’s integration, free updates and training, life-time warranty on hardware, no questions asked. No hidden fees. No binding contracts.

With the addition of Link2Pump on the Geotab Marketplace, over 40,000 Geotab customers worldwide now have access to a solution to bring up to 25% in fuel savings, tank inventory visibility and alerts, comprehensive fuel use reports and insights and life-time warranty and software updates included. 

2022: New Trends In Internet of Vehicles (IOV)

The IoV, or Internet of Vehicles, is the next step in the evolution of transports. With sensors that acquire information from the vehicle, environment,  behavior from  drivers and possibly even information from other vehicles, we open the door to possibilities like better routing and navigation, traffic management and control of air pollution caused by vehicles. The value of the global IoV market was $66,075 million in 2017, and is projected to reach  $208,107 million by 2024. 

(From the Report: Internet of Vehicle Market by Allied Market Research)

 

But what is IoV?

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is a subset of the Internet of Things (IoT). There’s a growing need for intelligent and connected devices that help us in daily life. IoT devices – smart mobiles, refrigerators, watches, fire alarms, medical sensors, fitness trackers, sensors of autonomous cars, or any other smart objects – satisfy that desire, and the market is booming. IoV solutions combine inside vehicle networks and vehicular mobile internet. 

Next-generation mobile technologies will play a crucial role in how the automotive industry evolves. It will mean manufacturers can better manage complex supply chains by embedding data into the systems used for buying and delivery decisions. Robotic manufacturing will be taken to a new level by pulling together data across multiple production sites to crowdsource machine learning.

5G will enable fleet managers to monitor and control the parameters from remote locations through smartphones. 

As a new generation of vehicles gets embedded with IoT-powered sensors, they will produce vast data continuously. GPS tracking systems can give information about hard acceleration, mileage, and excessive speeding, allowing fleet owners to look deep into such data to promote safe driving. At the same time, data generated from vehicle telematics systems can assist in the dynamic mapping of roadway conditions to help drivers understand high-risk routes.

Embracing new trends will help decision-makers to remain competitive and keep track of vehicles, so they can improve efficiency, driver performance and offer real-time updates to customers.

 

 

How tax refunds can affect your fleet

Tax refunds can reduce fuel costs, but still, many companies lose a lot of money each year by not accurately filing for fuel tax refunds. You can surely save your company a great deal with Link2Pump managing process. 

In 1933, the federal gasoline excise tax was implemented and taxed each gallon of gas at one cent. Current federal gasoline rates in May 2019 have escalated to 24.4 cents for each gallon of diesel and 18.4 cents per gallon of gas. 

Fleet managers often fail to accurately file for all the on-road taxes for the diesel fuel that is used to power tax-exempt processes of non-road everyday equipment, including concrete mixers, dump trucks and other construction site machinery.

Concrete producers and contractors can secure significant federal and state tax rebates for the fuel not used for on-highway activities, on average about 60 cents per gallon. Knowing and gathering the proper data, can offer fleet managers massive rebates. 

Paperless fueling systems can be incorporated into a software that helps fleet managers accurately track how each gallon was used, reducing recording errors. Armed with this important data, fleet managers can reconcile all the information needed for filing for fuel tax refunds. 

Link2Pump can easily track and reconcile all information required for filing fuel tax refund claims with a one-click report. It is easy to save money with our service. The best part is that facilitating the tax refunds process is one of the many features of our equipment, and you don’t have to pay anything extra for it. 

So with Link2Pump you can automate your managing process, have up to 25% fuel savings, more than 10 hours in time savings, and have your fuel tax refunds made easy. If you want to learn more about our solution and are searching for alternatives to improve bottom line and productivity, please get in touch.

 

How will the chip shortage affect your fleet

Do you happen to know how much a semiconductor costs? One to two dollars. A whole car costs from 40 thousand – just to give you an idea of the proportion. However, this little electronic David, the basis of integrated circuits, is bringing the great Goliath to its knees: a flea – also in its size – with the strength of a lion.

Because of the lack of chips, the production lines of almost all manufacturers have reduced production or even stopped. Reason: the disappearance of semiconductors. It’s the chip shortage.

If there are no major changes to a variant of COVID-19 (with more lockdowns), the forecast is that only in the middle of the year will the situation begin to normalize. Some experts predict a new normal only in 2023.

Semiconductors are essential in new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, IoT, cloud computing, autonomous vehicles and the entire repertory of 5G solutions. But they are equally in everyday devices, like our smartphone or washing machine. That’s why this dependence, when unbalanced, causes global damage.

With this in mind, you must know that fleet costs are expected to increase as production delays caused by the microchip shortage are delaying vehicle replacements. This can have a negative impact on fleet budgets in one particular way: higher fleet maintenance costs.

Knowing that maintenance costs can be higher, and you can have vehicles stopped due to lack of parts, more than ever it is important to be aware of preventive maintenance of the fleet.

This type of maintenance aims to reduce excessive expenses with the fleet, as it is based on scheduling stops in advance for adjustments, lubrication, and replacement of components. Its cost is usually between 30% to 40% lower than the other modalities, in addition to increasing the time between maintenance, increasing safety, and reducing the probability of problems on the road. It also ensures that you have time to come up with workarounds if you don’t find what you need to solve the problem.

To use these benefits, it is necessary to draw up a maintenance plan: in an agenda, or a fleet management software, point out which vehicles and components will be overhauled and the respective dates. Do it in a way that meets the need for maintenance of each type of vehicle, in addition to not leaving the fleet without enough units to operate and meet the demand of the company and its customers.

 

What is fleet management? All you need to know

Managing a fleet of vehicles, no matter how large or small, involves keeping track of many moving parts. Every task related to owning and maintaining a fleet is considered an element of management, and is a fast-growing trend. Here’s what fleet management can do for you.

Fleet management is a function for businesses and agencies that rely on transportation for their products or services. It is designed to control costs, manage productivity and reduce risks. The activity of fleet management can drive valuable benefits for an organization such as increasing efficiency in vehicle acquisition, fuel management, strengthening compliance and increasing employee safety.

But why do businesses use fleet management?

When you purchase or lease a vehicle, you also need to factor in the many costs that come along with ownership. This includes storage, insurance, gas prices, registration, title, and maintenance. Now imagine being responsible for all those components for an entire fleet of vehicles. A fleet management solution allows businesses to view data on all of these expenses within one app, which can take a lot of the headaches out of managing vehicles.

Fleet Management Benefits

With consumers often expecting instant gratification and next-day delivery, implementing fleet management is absolutely essential for companies to maximize their resources and promote growth. Here are some of the top benefits of fleet management:

  1. Driver training and compliance.

This can include general administration, driver license reviews, data preservation, compliance reporting and driver instruction in adherence with local, regional, or national compliance standards.

  1. Fleet maintenance.

Fleet maintenance is the management of policies and processes designed to keep company vehicles in safe and reliable operating conditions to protect drivers and residual value.

  1. Contract management and fiscal planning.

Negotiating contracts for new vehicles and equipment, vehicle replacement forecasting, disposing of out-of-service vehicles and equipment, and managing fleet contracts for parts, service, and fuel are central to the practice of fleet management.

  1. Fuel management.

Fleet managers are responsible for managing fuel types as well as the repair and related compliance procedures associated with them. In this topic, you can count on Link2Pump. Link2Pump offers a simple solution that automates the entire fueling and tracking process. This way, you will always know where every drop of fuel is going, keep your inventory under control and do much more to drive fuel efficiency and performance to your fleet.

If you want to learn more about our solution and are looking for alternatives to improve bottom line and productivity, please get in touch.

Advanced trucks could increase driver retention

Fleet companies are facing challenges in the retention and recruitment of drivers at an especially risky moment. Drivers are needed now more than ever before to progress in migrating the shipment of goods, food, medicine, and vaccines globally. 

Retention is especially important for drivers, as the current market is tight. The most recent ACT Research For-Hire Trucking Index revealed a Driver Availability Index that significantly decreased to a new low of 16.7 in March, down from its previous low of 23.6 in February.  

The most recent data on driver turnover from ATA comes from the fourth quarter of 2020, which reported that for the year, the turnover rate at large fleets averaged 89%, two points higher than the previous year.

While it may be easier to blame the staggering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by the numbers, this has been a problem for many years.

Compensation programs are frequently discussed to allure new drivers and hold onto existing ones. However, fleets are now starting to utilize other strategies for driver recruitment and retention. 

The average cost of onboarding a new driver usually exceeds $10,000 for many companies. That’s why it’s very important to retain their existing drivers to avoid paying this costly onboarding expense. 

Modern trucks come with advanced technology, advanced safety features, and less maintenance and repair problems, which means less downtime and breakdowns on the road. This allows drivers to often return home to their families at the end of the day and operate trucks on their routes with the assurance that they will most likely avoid breakdowns on the side of the road.  

Fuel management systems also can help, because, with automated supply, the logistics become much more agile: times are shortened and you no longer depend on external factors that reduce business efficiency. Fleet management systems provide everything you need to develop a preventative maintenance schedule, helping you manage maintenance costs.

If you want to learn more about our solution and are looking for alternatives to improve the bottom line and productivity, please, get in touch.

Equipment finance industry confidence improves in July

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation released the July 2021 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). The index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $900 billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 72.9, an increase from the June index of 71.3.

Some of the results are: 
  • When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 58.6% of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, up from 42.3% in June. 41.4% believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, down from 57.7% the previous month. None believe business conditions will worsen, unchanged from June.

 

  • 55.2% of the survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (capex) will increase over the next four months, up from 51.9% in June. 41.4% believe demand will “remain the same” during the same four-month time period, a decrease from 48.2% the previous month. 3.5% believe demand will decline, up from none in June.

 

  • 27.6% of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” an increase from 22.2% the previous month. 72.4% of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “fair,” down from 77.8% in June. None evaluate it as “poor,” unchanged from last month.

 

  • 48.3% of the survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get “better” over the next six months, a decrease from 51.9% in June. 51.7% indicate they believe the U.S. economy will “stay the same” over the next six months, an increase from 48.2% last month. None believe economic conditions in the U.S. will worsen over the next six months, unchanged from the previous month.

Vehicle Telemetry: what you need to know

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In fleet management, it is very important to keep looking for new technologies that help the control system of different KPIs, such as fuel, routes, loads, mechanics, drivers, among others. Vehicle telemetry is yet another of the digital innovations that assist in this process, collecting vehicle information remotely.

With telemetry, it is possible to check speed, distance, location, downtime, and fuel consumption. In this way, operations are optimized and controlled in real-time to verify all the information necessary for effective fleet management.

How does it work? 

Vehicle data is generated in real-time. The onboard computer is essential in this process since telemetry is the management system with all the data collected. The system is usually wireless, whether radio or satellite, to identify all the information.

Usually, equipment is installed in vehicles, which arrive wirelessly at a server, accessed by the manager. The data can be tracked in any environment, and bring opportunities to further optimize the functioning of the processes. 

Fleet managers can make a mapping according to the required KPI, seeing issues such as mileage on specific routes, and more. Telemetry is a tool to manage the vehicle’s handling, but the system can be even more detailed, also controlling fuel consumption.

That is why your telemetry tool must integrate with other solutions, like fuel management, for example. This way the vehicles in the fleet that are monitored by the telemetry system are fueled according to the release determined by the manager.

There are a lot of benefits that telemetry can bring to your business. Increased security, cost reduction, conservation and security of assets, and optimization of processes are just a few of them.

What to expect at World of Concrete 2021

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World of Concrete has been serving the global concrete & masonry construction industries for 46 years. The event connects and educates buyers and sellers through live and digital events throughout the year. 

The face-to-face event normally takes place every January or February in Las Vegas. This year the World of Concrete Las Vegas was rescheduled to take place on June 8 – 10. 

“Moving the event from winter to late spring in 2021 will allow additional outdoor activities that everyone can enjoy in the big city of Las Vegas,” says Jackie James, director of World of Concrete Group.

Drawing record numbers year after year, the 2021 World of Concrete, sometimes referred to as the Concrete Convention Las Vegas will feature a week of exciting new products, cutting-edge technologies, the latest equipment, exciting spectator events and competitions, and more than 150 educational sessions including luncheons, interactive workshops, and industry hands-on training.

Important! There will be no onsite registration this year due to new COVID safety protocols. You must register online before coming to the show.

With a detailed set of measures developed collaboratively with industry associations, event organizers, and venues, World of Concrete aims to deliver the highest levels of hygiene and safety at its event, providing everyone with reassurance and confidence they are participating in a safe and controlled environment. 

They recommend that every attendee read the safety requirements needed to enter the event, along with safety and hygiene measures guests can expect.

Early this year Link2Pump was part of World of Concrete Virtual Industry Forum. Over 300 industry professionals attended our VP of Sales session on how to reduce fleet costs by managing and claiming fuel tax rebates. Concrete producers and contractors can secure significant federal and state tax rebates for the fuel not used for on-highway activities, on average about 60 cents per gallon.

Have you already scheduled to go to the event this year?

What have fleet managers learned in 2020?

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2020 brought a great lesson for business. It showed the need for preparation, connectivity and resilience. Fleets across industries have had to navigate uncertainty and adapt to new ways of operating. It was a year that forced fleet leaders to evolve continually, learning how to operate in totally new ways and, especially, doing more with less. 

As we enter in 2021, it’s time to think how fleet managers can apply what they’ve learned in 2020 to help shape future plans and practices? Let’s look at some scenarios. 

Adapt your business model

Many fleet leaders had to evaluate their existing business models, with some pivoting  to  service  essential  industries. One  example  of  this change  involved  repurposing  fleet  vehicles  to  fulfill  last-mile  delivery. If your fleet is not being fully utilized, you can look up and find new markets to operate. 

Keep a good relationship with suppliers

Fleet management companies depend on supplier relationships. These relationships can become complicated when fleets have reduced needs, such as fewer tires, less preventive maintenance, or a pause in vehicle acquisitions. 

The best you can do to prevent the loss of relationships with suppliers is to be proactive in their outreach. When business gets back at full capacity, the transition back to regular work will be complicated if supplier relationships haven’t been maintained. Remember that they are fundamental to your business and make the necessary effort so that the relationship remains healthy.

Identify possibilities for automation

From GPS tracking to fuel management, there are a lot of opportunities to automate your fleet operation. Automated operations can help to make  the  transition  to  remote  work  easier, for example. With automation you can manage, control, analyze, optimize, and schedule tasks for your business. Automated processes also help to save time and money. 

Controlling vehicle costs and yields in relation to usage indicates how much each item in your fleet is consuming. This measure is essential to generate savings in the short and long term, as well as to verify the performance of each truck. With Link2Pump you can control your fuel supply quickly and intelligently. We can install our system in your fuel pumps, ensuring safety and data accuracy for managing your fleet. All fleet fueling data is sent in real time to the system and only authorized drivers and vehicle are able to pump fuel. In addition, you can generate several reports, with all fuel consumption information. If you want to learn more about our solution, get in touch . 

Stay more connected than ever 

Working from home it’s not new, but the trend has increased as governments all over the world have introduced lockdowns in a bid to fight the coronavirus. For some it was a very bad experience, but many others want the flexibility to continue. Companies are not only adapting their policies to allow working from home, they’re also downsizing their offices and other expenses. 

That’s why it is very important that you hire talented managers for fleet, mobility, facilities and other key departments. Managers who are connected with the present and future of the company and are ready to act.

These are some lessons to anticipate solutions for the future and it is also an opportunity to make your business thrive in difficult times. One thing is certain, data-based technology is already making a difference in many companies.

Benefits of having a fuel management system

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A very common question today is: Do I have to set up a fuel supply system for my company’s fleet or continue to refuel at gas stations? If your company has a minimum demand , you can start thinking about enjoying the benefits of your fleet supply system.

Agility and speed in routine

With automated supply, the logistics become much more agile: times are shortened and you no longer depend on external factors that reduce business efficiency. In addition to being able to be placed in strategic locations, a fuel management solution allows the entire fueling process, including vehicle identification and odometer reading, to be completed very quickly.

Avoid and reduce fraud

Another important point is to avoid and reduce fraud. Companies tend to lose a lot of money in the risk management process. A software system solves this issue by ascertaining that the right vehicle is fueled at the right time and place. Indeed, managers can monitor their fleet conveniently and at all times.

Focus on your core activities

You can also increase focus on your core activities, as management of fuel can consume a lot of time from your time. After engaging a professional to build an on-demand fuel delivery app, most of the manual work is handled by the features and tools. It is, therefore, possible to focus on other management functions such as planning, controlling, and coordinating activities to achieve goals. 

Improve maintenance

Fleet management systems provide everything you need to develop a preventative maintenance schedule, helping you manage maintenance costs. Kilometers traveled, engine hours, fuel usage. These are some of the data points that can be used to create a preventative maintenance schedule. 

Easy fuel tax refund

In most states and for the federal government, motor fuel excise taxes are collected and designated for highway and road construction and maintenance. So, fleets using fuel for powering vehicles and equipment at off-road applications may qualify for federal and state-level refunds. Some fuel management systems, like Link2Pump, easily track and reconcile all information needed for filing fuel tax refund claims with one-click reports. 

The real picture of the operation

Fleet management software gives you a more comprehensive picture of your fleet’s operations. When you have this well-rounded view of your fleet, you can expand it more efficiently. By understanding your current fleet, you can find opportunities to bring in more jobs.

So, to sum up, the main advantages of installing your own fueling point are:

  • Fuel quality assurance, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring that the entire fleet can have the same performance;
  • Elimination of the costs of moving machinery/vehicles to the gas station;
  • Practicality and speed of supply, since it will have the availability of supply 24 hours;
  • Fuel tax refund; 
  • Centralization and rationalization of consumption control. 

If you want to learn more about our solution and are looking for alternatives to improve bottom line and productivity, please, get in touch.