Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024:
Massive ECU recall hits 126K Volvo trucks
A huge recall of electronic control units (ECU) from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has led to a major recall from Volvo Trucks North America, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
Bendix’s recall affects 445,208 Bendix EC80 Advanced ECUs with specific part numbers. In the affected ECUs, electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
Bendix said only tractors or trucks that pull trailers and that communicate over the Power Line Carrier (PLC) network are affected. The PLC is a trailer-to-tractor communication system that sends a signal on the electrical connection between the tractor and trailer. Its purpose is to control the cab-mounted trailer ABS indicator lamp in the truck.
In the presence of high electrical interference (noise) on the vehicle power line and low PLC signal strength, the EC80 PLC functionality may incorrectly process certain signals and may set a fault, or stop operating or malfunction.
As such, safety systems that depend on the ECU — Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collision Mitigation Systems — may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.
[Related: Cummins X15 fuel pump issue extends to Paccar trucks]
Bendix noted that the combination of high electrical interference and low PLC signal strength is more likely on vehicles that tow more than one trailer than vehicles that tow only one trailer. Additionally, the PLC signal strength may be substantially reduced when other optional devices are connected to the power line, such as trailer-based tracking systems.
Bendix will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 1. Owners may contact Bendix customer service at 440-329-9000. NHTSA’s recall number is 24E-086.
As a result of Bendix’s recall, Volvo Trucks is recalling certain 2020-‘25 VN, VAH, VHD and VNR Electric trucks with Bendix’s EC80 ECU. Volvo’s recall includes 126,649 trucks.
Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 13. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2409. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-790.
[Related: Volvo tractors recalled for unintended acceleration]
Climate United, Forum Mobility intro new drayage EV leasing program
Climate United on Tuesday announced a new program to offer affordable leasing options to small fleets and independent operators to cut operational costs and reduce air pollution in port communities, beginning at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles with the intention to expand nationally.
Leveraging a $6.97 billion award from the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Investment Fund, Climate United Fund intends to invest up to $250 million to purchase up to 500 Class 8 electric trucks, making it the largest single order of electric trucks in U.S. history. The program aims to accelerate the growth of electric truck manufacturing and battery technology innovation that is needed to deploy zero-emission, heavy-duty vehicles in communities across America, the organization said.
Climate United is partnering with California-based Forum Mobility to develop a program that meets the needs of small fleet operators. Forum Mobility is building a network of staffed and secure electric truck charging depots in California ports and along common freight routes, and provides charging services to help fleets navigate the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
Forum Mobility Vice President Jacqueline Torres said small fleets are encouraged to reach out to [email protected] to get pre-qualified for the program. Fleets with between 5 and 20 trucks will get priority, Torres noted, but fleets outside that range are encouraged to reach out, as well.
“Electric drayage trucks cost less to operate, but high upfront costs make it difficult for independent owner-operators and small fleets to transition to all-electric,” said Beth Bafford, CEO of Climate United. “Through tax credits, incentives, and attractive financing, we are significantly reducing a cost barrier to sustain small businesses and help them lead the transition to electric vehicles.”
Elemental Impact, a non-profit investor in climate technologies, is further assisting Forum Mobility with policy support, community engagement, and additional wrap-around program services.
California regulation, if it gets a still-contested waiver from the EPA, requires all of California’s drayage fleet of approximately 33,000 trucks to be zero-emission by 2035. Forum Mobility’s partnership with Climate United will help ensure small operators are not left behind in that transition.
“For zero-emission battery-electric truck deployments to scale, cost has to be at the forefront of any discussion,” said Matt Schrap, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association (HTA). “HTA appreciates innovative solutions that can help support fleets in this push for zero-emission. It is always encouraging to see a program that reduces upfront costs by pairing both infrastructure and the truck together. They are inexorably intertwined, you can’t have one without the other and when the two are combined, it solves a lot of challenges for carriers.”
Former HHG moving company owner ordered to forfeit property
A member of a nationwide moving company scam was recently ordered to forfeit property as part of a court settlement.
On Oct. 3, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio entered into a settlement agreement with Andrey Shuklin for a Final Order of Forfeiture. The order requires Shuklin to pay $36,481.58, which will be substituted for real property.
According to the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, an investigation revealed that from April 2013 until July 2018, Shuklin, along with other members of the enterprise, controlled several moving companies that defrauded, extorted, and stole customers’ household goods.
After loading customers’ goods onto a moving truck, the moving enterprise would increase the price of the move and hold the goods hostage until customers paid the inflated prices. Some customer loads were not delivered at all.
The enterprise also charged customers for moving more cubic footage of household goods than they actually used.
Shuklin was one of 12 individuals charged in 2018 for their roles in moving company scams. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to conspiring in a racketeering enterprise to defraud individuals throughout the U.S.
Driver recognized for helping stranded driver change tire
ABF Freight truck driver Rick Thomas, from Akron, Ohio, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for stopping to help a stranded female driver whose vehicle had a flat tire.
Rick ThomasTCA
“She was kind of almost halfway in the intersection,” Thomas said. “I hopped out and asked her if she had a spare tire, and she said yes — that’s what I did — I changed her tire.”
Thomas said the entire event took about 20 minutes. He made sure she was safely out of the road and took care of her flat tire while assuring her that everything would be OK.
“It’s just kindness, it’s just my nature,” Thomas said. “I try to be a gentleman — I’m a truck driver and that’s what we do.”