������ý

INDIANAPOLIS — Alternative fuels and green technologies will continue to evolve and secure their roles within the trucking sector, but diesel is still the most efficient and cost-effective fuel and will be for some time to come, Kary Schaefer, general manager of marketing and strategy for Daimler Trucks North America, told attendees at the Green Truck Summit here last week.

The largest U.S. business lobby and the trucking industry joined forces to urge skeptical lawmakers to increase federal fuel taxes for the first time in a quarter century to raise money for crumbling roads and bridges.

ATLANTA — Seven Truck Care service center locations are planned to debut by the middle of the year, Pilot Flying J executives announced at the Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting March 6.

The strength of oil consumption took analysts by surprise last year, and played a big role in crude’s recovery to a three-year high in January.

ATLANTA — Valvoline Inc. launched an engine oil approved for use in natural gas fleet engines, the company announced at the Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting March 7.

ATLANTA — Shell Rotella in cooperation with Airflow Truck Co. introduced the “Project Starship” concept truck here, a hand-built, street-legal, one-of-a-kind tractor-trailer equipped with technologies and equipment designed to maximize fuel efficiency.

The U.S. retail diesel average dropped 1.5 cents to $2.992 a gallon, its fourth consecutive decline, the Department of Energy reported March 5.

ATLANTA — Michelin North America has unveiled a trailer aerodynamics package for dry van and refrigerated trailers, a five-piece kit that incorporates side skirts, trailer-end fairings, aerodynamic mud flaps and a wake reducer to deliver what the company said is up to 7.4% improvement in fuel efficiency.

ATLANTA — The North American Council for Freight Efficiency announced an expanded organizational strategy, including an updated brand identity and website, as it seeks to guide the development and eventual implementation of future technologies.

Anchorage drivers will pay an extra 10 cents per gallon at the pump starting March 1, with the city’s first-ever tax on gasoline and diesel fuel taking effect.