Blog

The price of diesel has been on the decline in May, but it is still well above pre-pandemic norms. The substantial value of diesel relative to 2021 has led to an alarming increase in fuel card fraud. For trucking companies that are already operating on narrow profit margins, fuel fraud can be a devastating financial blow....

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Mark your calendar, as the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck has been announced for May 14th to May 16th. The International Roadcheck is a rigorous initiative focused on inspecting and enforcing regulatory compliance for commercial motor vehicles. Is your fleet ready for the challenge? This high-visibility operation spans three days and includes inspections in Canada, Mexico, and the United States to ensure compliance with regulations and safety in all three countries....

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Millions of truck drivers across the country spend up to 11 hours a day transporting freight and delivering goods. With 72.6% of the nation’s freight transported by trucks, truck drivers hold a vital job, moving $940.8 billion in gross freight revenue last year, and paying $29.12 billion in federal and state fuel taxes. The trucking industry is crucial to our economy. Without truck drivers, the flow of goods across the country would be impossible. Yet, we find ourselves amidst a shortage....

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Every day, millions of Americans drive on the road on their way to work. But for over 3.5 million Americans, the road is their workplace. They are the professional truck drivers who deliver the goods that keep our country moving....

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Truck drivers face numerous challenges on the road. The unforgiving schedules, the physical demands of the job, and the rigors of the road, place enormous pressure on the drivers as they work to deliver product timely and often....

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California, in its latest move to combat climate change, has implemented the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) ruling, aimed at transforming the transportation sector and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions....

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The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced the dates for the annual Operation Safe Driver Week. This year, from July 9th-15th, law enforcement officers throughout North America will be looking out for commercial motor vehicle drivers that are engaging in unsafe driving behavior....

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There are many ways of acquiring a truck; Buying new or used, leasing, or even long-term rentals. But with all these variations who’s responsible for reporting and ultimately filing appropriate fuel taxes? The registered owner of the truck will need to determine if the truck should be reported under the registered owners’ International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) or if the truck will be reported under the Lease Partners’ IFTA....

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PACCAR and its subsidiaries, PacLease, Kenworth, Peterbilt, and PACCAR Parts, have joined the global initiative for emission free vehicles in our industry. PacLease offers a full EV Solution with EV trucks from Kenworth and Peterbilt with a lineup of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) solutions to support the launch of electric vehicles globally from PACCAR Parts....

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You name it, and someone delivers it. Every day, millions of Americans rely on the trucking industry to deliver the goods they need on time. September 11th – 17th is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and there are many ways you can show your appreciation. Keep reading to learn more about the industry and how you can show your appreciation....

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Parts shortages, inflation, labor shortages, fuel prices, and now rising interest rates have all contributed to creating the perfect storm for all of us working in the supply chain. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, no one could have imagined the onslaught of challenges the industry would face and continue to face. But here we are....

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The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week has been announced for July 10th-16th, 2022. Law enforcement will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicles adhering to risky driving behavior. Unsafe drivers will be pulled over and cited or given a warning....

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Still booming. That's a phrase I never thought I'd be writing again when it comes to the global used truck market, but that's exactly what's happening. We've had an unprecedented boom in the second-hand market in recent years. Even with the supply challenges on diesels and the latest surge in oil prices, we're seeing nothing short of a record year for used trucks....

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With an average of 300 billion miles logged every year, Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers must pass stringent skills and knowledge testing by the State governments responsible for issuing Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs). Once a CDL is obtained, a driver must continue to maintain it. A serious traffic violation can affect a CDL holder’s ability to maintain their CDL certification, in addition to disruption of business operations. Nonetheless, Commercial Driving remains a lucrative and in-demand occupation....

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The market for used commercial trucks is moving quickly. You’re broadening your search and working with a number of vendors, but are there other things you can do to find the right used trucks for your business needs? Here are the top things to look out for while you are shopping for your next used truck....

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These are new and strange times that have led us to where we are now. With the onset of the pandemic, followed by the challenges of microchips and parts for vehicles, a large pent-up demand for trucks was inevitable. A scramble to find alternatives to keep business moving is underway… quickly turning used trucks into an even hotter commodity....

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On November 15th, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law – a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that reauthorizes federal surface transportation programs and provides an additional $550 billion in funding for our nation’s infrastructure. From rebuilding roads and bridges, modernizing ports, expanding broadband, and providing funding for states to install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, the bill covers a lot of ground....

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In the race to finish the last mile, the winners will be the most efficient and those who take advantage of emerging technologies. It is the last stop in a product’s journey through the supply chain, but also the most expensive and most time-consuming. With the rise of e-commerce retail sales over the last several years, the final mile of a product’s journey is becoming the most important part. Maximizing this last mile of delivery is now creating a competitive advantage for organizations who can get it right....

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As environmental impact has become a staple consideration of fleets across North America, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are now the leading solution for zero emission deliveries. Federal and state organizations are using grants to help incentivize early adopters of these zero emission technologies....

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Thank a Driver! It’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week...

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Putting a fuel management program in place can save you money and help your business grow. One of the leading operational expenses of a business that operates fleet vehicles is purchasing fuel. Fuel prices vary widely depending on where your fleet operates and the type of fuel that your fleet consumes. Fleet managers are constantly looking for ways to optimize fuel spend as they realize shaving a penny or two per gallon can offer the business tremendous savings quarter to quarter. Here are five things to consider when thinking about a quality fuel management program....

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For any company that operates a fleet in today’s environment, truck drivers are typically one of the most important resource that allows them to grow their business. However, finding drivers – which account for nearly 3.5 million jobs in the US – was listed as the top challenge in the National Private Truck Council (NPTC ) Benchmarking Survey Report....

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Louisiana’s economy is a melting pot of different industries. Tourism in New Orleans, the Mississippi River and its many ports, oil and gas production throughout the state, plus the chemical plants are familiar to many across the country. However, one vital aspect of our state’s economy remains relatively unknown: sugar....

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The United States Department of Agriculture states that the agricultural sector accounts for an estimated 1% of the nation’s GDP. The Salinas Valley is the largest region in Monterey County and one of the most productive agriculture valleys in California. Considered the “Salad Bowl of the World”, it is estimated that roughly 70% of the U.S. produce is grown in the Salinas Valley. To keep the world’s largest “salad bowl” moving, we at PacLease help to run and maintain the transportation and logistics of the agriculture industry in Salinas – partnering with our customers to help them maximize their uptime and meet deadlines. Coast Counties Peterbilt PacLease in the Salinas Valley is home to one of our flagship franchises that has been in business since 1949. Coast Counties Peterbilt PacLease has been able to assist companies in the Salinas Valley agriculture industry to feed America....

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We have a saying at PacLease, and it’s pretty straightforward: “We’re focused on improving your service to your customer.” If we do that, we know we’re doing our job. The simplicity in that statement says a lot. It says we understand that in order for us to be successful as a service partner we have to make our customers successful. And, we do that by understanding your company and understanding your transportation ‘pain points.' We also outline your payloads and routes and see how specs can reduce weight, improve fuel economy, and increase driver satisfaction. Once we have a clear picture of your operation, we go to work to properly spec a truck that can improve your operation....

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While development and manufacture of modern electric vehicles (EVs) has been ongoing for several years, it wasn’t until fairly recently that widespread adoption has become a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if.’ A recent article in the Wall Street Journal notes that businesses across the U.S. are now beginning to seriously consider electrifying their fleets. Public commitments are serving as an announcement to the rest of the U.S. economy, and fleet owners in particular: EVs are here, and the time to get ready is now....

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Brake Safety Week is coming up. To help your fleet prepare, here are a few points on brake system safety. Starting August 23rd, law enforcement agencies across North America will be conducting focused Brake System Inspections for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Brake Safety Week....

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Spec’ing vehicles is a very complicated process, especially in a liquid bulk application. With new and improved products being introduced on a regular basis it is important to look at your spec with a fresh eye. Repeating the same spec year after year will not allow you to be as efficient as you should be. Whenever the conversation turns to specs for liquid bulk carriers - weight is the hot topic. Every pound of payload is added profitability. The more you move – the more you make. However, it is important to spec a balance of lightweight, performance, drivability and durability. PACCAR products are designed and built with the ability spec customized lightweight applications with durability in mind....

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There's a new “Clearinghouse” you need to know about. And, it’s not magazines or million dollar sweepstakes. This one is specific to the trucking industry, and it’s huge. It’s the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and it will support the DOT Strategic Goal of Safety when it goes live this January by ensuring drivers are qualified to operate trucks and buses. The new database, established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), will contain information pertaining to violations of the DOT’s controlled substances drug and alcohol testing program for holders of CDLs....

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Quality. That’s the first word PACCAR uses to describe its products, services, and processes. The main tool PACCAR utilizes to accomplish this superior quality is Six Sigma, its continuous improvement program. PACCAR just celebrated the 20th anniversary of Six Sigma; so there is no better time to take a deep dive into PacLease’s drive for unsurpassed customer satisfaction, superior quality, and premium value through continuous improvement....

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Whether we like it or hate it, insurance coverage is a crucial component of operating a commercial fleet of trucks. Insurance regulations exist to protect you, your business, your assets, your customers, your drivers, and anyone else involved in any potential incident. PacLease knows that having proper insurance coverage is a measure of security for your fleet and a small part of the cost of keeping your business running....

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Most trucking industry professionals and infrastructure experts agree that tolling isn’t going anywhere and will have an ongoing impact on commercial fleet operations across the country....

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As the need to repair the ageing infrastructure in the U.S. becomes imminent, legislators are proposing new bills and reforms to fund much needed projects. One potential source for funding is increased state fuel taxes. Many business groups support the proposed tax, as the funds will finance projects that will improve road conditions; making driving more comfortable, improving driving time, and reducing service costs caused by adverse road conditions....

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What are all the trade actions taken by the Trump administration and our trading partners, and how will they impact the heavy-duty truck industry?...

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When it comes to companies that lease trucks, the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) have been that those “operational” leases effectively received off-balance sheet treatment. That’s about to change. New standards unveiled by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) will soon require that all leases — financed and operational — with terms longer than 12 months be reported on a company’s balance sheet....

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If you’re reading the trade journals – even newspapers – you’re no doubt noticing articles about the infrastructure. What will happen? And, what about toll roads -- will they be privatized? What does this mean for the transportation industry?...

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