Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021:
Volvo recalls certain 2022 VNL tractors
Volvo Trucks is recalling approximately 162 model year 2022 VNL tractors for an issue with the ECM that affects the transmission, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
According to the recall, the electronic control unit software may allow the transmission to shift into neutral unexpectedly. Included in the recall are 2022 VNLs manufactured between Jan. 4, 2021, and Oct. 4, 2021, with a Cummins ISL and Eaton Endurant transmission. The software issue is with Volvo Electronic Control Unit software and is not an Eaton or Cummins issue, the recall states.
Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. With recall number RVXX2104. NHTSA’s recall number is 21V-781.
Uber Freight adds partners for quicker carrier payments, fuel card
Uber Freight has partnered with card issuing platform Marqeta and payments platform Branch to offer fast, reliable payments and carrier-first financial services to carriers.
Through Marqeta’s card issuing platform and Branch’s digital wallet, Uber Freight can pay carriers significantly faster at no additional cost. Rather than waiting 30 days or longer for the traditional accounts payable process, carriers on Uber Freight can get paid two hours after approved proof of delivery, the company says.
In addition to faster payments, Branch’s digital wallet features a suite of financial services to help carriers grow their businesses, including a fee-free, FDIC-insured checking account and a commercial card specifically designed to enable the fastest carrier settlements in the trucking industry. The Uber Freight Card powered by Branch provides Uber Freight carriers a free-to-use card to easily spend funds from the Branch Wallet, and fuel rewards to support drivers on their biggest expense.
“We started Uber Freight with a commitment to empowering carriers of all sizes to get the most out of their workday. We were first to market with transparent pricing and have grown to support the world’s largest network of digital carriers,” said Lior Ron, Head of Uber Freight. “This partnership allows us to continue building our suite of carrier-first tools and offer the small carriers on our platform — the mom and pop shops and new authority carriers just starting their businesses — the opportunity to take advantage of lightning-fast payments, fuel discounts, and other benefits typically reserved for larger carriers. We’re proud to give underserved carriers this competitive edge and help them grow their businesses.”
Merchants Fleet partners with EV charging firm
Fleet management company Merchants Fleet has partnered with electric vehicle charging network operator EVgo to offer a variety of services to Merchants Fleet customers.
EVgo will provide a full range of solutions including infrastructure planning, hardware, software, Operations and maintenance, and infrastructure deployment services to Merchants Fleet clients to support the electrification of fleets nationwide.
The new partnership is the first of its kind for EVgo, and gives Merchants Fleet clients the ability to leverage a combination of depot charging solutions, dedicated charging networks and EVgo's public network comprised of over 800 fast-charging and 1,200+ Level 2 locations. EVgo's locations bring the reliability of more than 98% uptime and deep coverage in urban core areas, with its solutions backed by superior 24/7 customer support that further reinforces convenience, safety and interoperability for EV fleets.
