This article was published in the December 2019 edition of NTEA News.
Hear strategies to help create more productive and innovative work trucks, discover ways to turn commercial vehicles into work systems and gain insight into electric work truck deployment at Green Truck Summit, held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show® 2020.
Work Truck Week runs March 3–6 at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Green Truck Summit, Manufacturer and Distributor Innovation Conference, and educational sessions begin March 3. The exhibit hall is open March 4–6.
The Summit provides current and long-range forecasts on the latest productivity options and alternative fuel and technology implementation. It features presentations from regulatory agencies, fleet managers, commercial vehicle manufacturers, and stakeholders from industry trade associations and professional societies.
“In recent years, the intense focus on developing more efficient and sustainable vocational truck fleets has yielded some of the most innovative green technologies and industry practices ever,” said Doyle Sumrall, NTEA managing director. “This conference, which was introduced to the industry in 2007, has become an important forum where industry experts and fleet managers can engage in conversation about best practices, share new ideas and collaborate on potential advanced technologies that can drive fleets even further down the road toward a zero-emission transportation industry.”
Conference highlights
Green Truck Summit begins with opening remarks, followed by a keynote address and five general sessions. Lunch is included with conference registration, as is a reception on March 3 from 5–6 p.m.
How Truck Technology Advances Will Impact Industry Practices
During this session, industry leaders Bill Combs, director, Connected Fleet, Penske Truck Leasing; Nick Rini, director of engineering, FCCC; Rick Sapienza, director, Clean Transportation Program, NC Clean Energy Technology Center; and an OEM representative will share a forward look at work truck automation and autonomy. Presenters will highlight advanced technologies currently in development, as well as future possibilities.
Meeting Program Sustainability Targets: Successes and Challenges of New Equipment Offerings
Todd Carlson, principal manager – fleet asset management, Southern California Edison; Bill Van Amburg, executive vice president, CALSTART; and an additional fleet representative will discuss fleet management strategies that can help achieve a more sustainable transportation profile.
Achieving Legacy Fleet Sustainability
Legacy fleet equipment is one of the most challenging elements of a sustainability evolution that involves powerplants and sustainable fuels. Attendees will learn strategies to help overcome obstacles, such as fluctuations in OEM offerings and support, to successfully transition their legacy fleet. Joseph Moser II, fleet manager, Commonwealth Edison; and additional fleet representatives will lead the discussion.
Alt Fuels and Technology: Evolution Toward Zero Emissions
Presenters Michael Berube, acting deputy assistant secretary for transportation, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation; Michael McDonald, director, sustainability and government affairs, UPS; and Tucker Perkins, president and CEO, PERC, will help attendees discover how the introduction of renewable diesel, CNG and propane, reductions in exhaust emissions from conventional power offerings, along with batteries, fuel cells and fundamental truck designs, are driving industry change.
Powering Electric Drive: Batteries or Fuel Cells?
With increasing interest in electric drive medium- and heavy-duty trucks, the top sources for onboard energy are fuel cells and batteries. Elizabeth Fretheim, head of business development, Nikola Motor Company; Abas Goodarzi, president and CEO, US Hybrid; and an OEM representative will discuss the pros and cons of these choices.
Learn more
In addition to the full day of general sessions and reception on March 3, Green Truck Summit Conference & Trade Show Package registrants can choose from dozens of concurrent sessions March 3–5 with topics such as vehicle weight management, building better vehicle spec’s, maximizing the value of aftermarket tires, OEM chassis updates, and more. Visit worktruckshow.com/greentrucksummit for details.
