Volvo Penta partners with e-power to deliver scalable battery storage for construction rentals

As 2025 unfolds, fleet maintenance patterns reveal a remarkable increase in brake-related repairs and a shift towards prolonged use of older trucks, driven by economic factors and recent recall impacts, according to Decisiv’s latest data.The landscape of truck maintenance activity continues to trend upward as we move into 2025, driven by a combination of economic and operational factors. According to Decisiv’s exclusive data for the first quarter of 2025—shared with Fleet Equipment—service volume increased by about 10.3% compared to the previous quarter and rose approximately 6.8% year-over-year. This growth reflects ongoing uncertainties related to tariffs and shifts in freight volumes, which have resulted in more tonnage on the roads. Additionally, many fleets are choosing to delay investing in new trucks, thereby maintaining older vehicles longer. This practice results in increased mileage on aging assets, subsequently driving higher shop demand for routine and preventive maintenance. Nick Pittinger, vice president of data services at Decisiv, remarked, “It will be interesting to see how various service activity factors influence whether service activity begins to decline due to lower freight volumes or continues to rise as fleets delay vehicle purchases and keep older trucks in service longer.” A significant trend in this period is the dramatic rise in brake-related service activity. The VMRS 013 brakes category experienced a 93.6% increase year-over-year, largely attributable to a major ABS recall that extended into Q1 2025. Even when excluding recall work, brake services saw substantial growth—approximately 12% quarter-over-quarter and 8% year-over-year. This indicates that brakes have become a major driver of service activity and costs, highlighting their importance as a key maintenance focus for fleets in 2025. In terms of service volume dominance, powertrain components continue to lead the way. For the fourth consecutive quarter, power plants accounted for 19.3% of all service operations. Exhaust systems remained prominent at 10.6%, while brakes occupied the second largest segment at 14%. Other areas showing notable growth included power take-off (PTO) systems, which increased by 13.4%, general accessories at 11.7%, and lighting systems at 10.2%. These figures collectively suggest that fleets are experiencing greater wear and use across several critical vehicle systems, not just braking components. Conversely, some service categories have experienced declines. Notably, tire/tube/liner/valve work, manual transmissions, and clutches have posted decreases in activity during Q1. Clutches, in particular, have shown consecutive quarterly declines. Even exhaust systems, despite their overall high service share, have seen a slight decrease, possibly indicating improved durability or shifted maintenance schedules. Additionally, automated manual transmissions (AMTs), which had been steadily increasing in service activity, appear to have plateaued, suggesting that fleets may be stabilizing their repair patterns for this technology. Supporting these insights is Decisiv’s updated VMRS code key 31 AI encoding model, which has significantly improved the accuracy and scope of service data classification. According to Pittinger, “With the new model, we've been able to encode a larger proportion of operations across several VMRS systems, such as lighting, brakes, and tires.” This refinement enables more precise trend tracking across 25 VMRS categories, providing fleets and dealers with sharper visibility into where their service dollars are being spent and how costs are evolving. Looking ahead, regulatory changes related to emission standards and engine aftertreatment systems are anticipated to influence service needs. Pittinger noted that monitoring how fleets adapt to these upcoming legislation requirements will be particularly important, especially as they manage older equipment amid evolving compliance mandates. Overall, the maintenance scene in 2025 is characterized by increased vehicle utilization, heightened brake service activity driven by recent recalls, and shifting trends in various vehicle systems. For fleet operators and service providers alike, leveraging detailed data and proactive maintenance strategies will be essential to manage rising service demands and costs effectively. Source: Noah Wire Services

A new study reveals Continental's strategic focus on integrating advanced digital tools and eco-friendly tyre solutions to support fleet operators worldwide facing economic and environmental challenges.Continental is really positioning itself as a key partner for commercial fleet operators who are now facing the tricky balance of ongoing rising costs and the increasing push for sustainability and digital transformation. Based on a significant study commissioned by Continental and carried out by Dataforce—which surveyed about 850 fleet managers across France, the UK, Germany, and the US—the biggest challenge these firms face is cost inflation, mentioned by roughly 76% of those surveyed. At the same time, almost half of them are worried about serious economic risks that could come from geopolitical crises, supply chain vulnerabilities, and market uncertainties. When you look at regional differences, the study shows some interesting trends in attitudes toward innovation and change. Fleets in the UK, for example, seem particularly eager to adopt digital solutions—80% recognize that core changes are needed, and 73% are worried about staying competitive. These British fleets are not sitting still; they’re actively searching for technologies that boost driver safety, cut downtime, and reduce overall costs. Digital tyre management tools like Continental’s ContiConnect are kind of leading the charge here. ContiConnect uses sensors to monitor tyre health and performance in real-time—which means fleet managers can schedule maintenance with precision, avoid costly unplanned stops, and actually extend the lifespan of their tyres. Ultimately, this lifts operational flow and helps keep costs under control. French fleets are also showing a solid commitment to transformation. About 75% understand its significance, with a particular focus on sustainability. Interestingly enough, 65% are already investing in electrifying their vehicle fleets, while 43% are focusing heavily on reducing emissions. Continental is stepping up with innovations such as the Conti Eco tyre, designed specifically for heavy battery-electric trucks—it combines low rolling resistance with durability—and they're soon launching the Conti Urban NXT bus tyre, which includes about 59% renewable or recycled materials. This really highlights the company's dedication to eco-friendly fleet management. Germany's fleet managers tend to be a bit more cautious. Slightly more than half see the importance of change, but only around 22% are really worried about staying competitive in future markets. Cost pressures and economic uncertainties weigh heavily here. Many tend to adopt new technology only once it’s been thoroughly proven. Nearly half of them point out challenges related to electrification and shortages of drivers as major concerns. But Continental sees a chance to help these more risk-averse fleets turn into efficiency champions by offering tailored digital solutions like ContiConnect, along with consulting services. Looking at their broader portfolio, Continental aims to support these varied market needs through a combination of tough, safe tyres and advanced digital tools paired with consulting. The ContiConnect system has been upgraded with newer versions like ContiConnect Lite, which is tailored for smaller fleets, and ContiConnect Pro, which uses AI-based forecasting to automate tyre wear monitoring and optimize maintenance schedules. Plus, they’ve integrated ContiConnect with Samsara’s fleet management platform, creating a single interface that provides comprehensive data on trailer health and tyre conditions—helping managers make smarter operational decisions, improve safety, and cut costs. Continental also pulls all its tyre-related services and sustainability initiatives under the umbrella of Conti360° Solutions. It’s a full-service, one-stop shop designed for fleet operators who want to boost efficiency and environmental performance. This includes low rolling resistance tyres that cut down on fuel use and CO₂ emissions, digital solutions, and lifecycle services—all part of their broader goal to lead the way in service-led digital fleet management by 2030. For industry professionals, what this all points to is that Continental’s strategy emphasizes the importance of blending high-tech digital tools with durable, eco-friendly tyre solutions—tailored to the specific challenges and operational contexts of different regions. As fleets worldwide face economic pressures and stricter regulations around decarbonisation, solutions that improve efficiency, bolster safety, and facilitate the shift to cleaner technologies will be absolutely crucial. It’s pretty exciting, right? The coming years could see a real transformation in how fleets manage their operations, and Continental seems well-positioned to be leading that change. Source: Noah Wire Services

Ford prepares to launch a affordable electric midsize pickup around 2027, featuring a small lithium-iron-phosphate battery and flexible universal platform to challenge both American and Chinese EV brands in the growing market segment.Ford is gearing up to enter the budget-friendly electric pickup market with a new midsize truck designed for cost-conscious consumers, and it’s expected to hit the scene around 2027. The vehicle will come equipped with a notably small lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, roughly 51 kWh of usable energy—this is quite a bit smaller than the batteries in Ford’s Mustang Mach-E or F-150 Lightning models, for example. This intentionally smaller battery aims to cut down on weight and overall costs, while still delivering decent performance. Plus, the LFP chemistry is known for its durability and longer-lasting lifecycle, which is a nice perk. The new pickup will be built on Ford’s Universal EV Platform—a flexible architecture that can support up to eight different body styles. Interestingly enough, Ford has already trademarked names like Ranchero and Dark Horse Boss, which might hint at different versions or trims that could appeal to a wider range of buyers. The vehicle’s electrical system is expected to run on a 400-volt architecture—this might also allow the truck to serve as a backup power source for a home during outages, so it’s not just about hauling stuff around. Production is scheduled to happen at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, which is currently undergoing a massive $2 billion upgrade to gear up for EV manufacturing. This huge investment is not just about new equipment, but also creating around 4,000 jobs—making Louisville a key hub for affordable electric vehicles in the U.S. The factory retooling will focus on boosting efficiency and cutting costs, with plans to domestically produce the LFP batteries, which should help strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on imports from overseas. As for pricing, Ford is eyeing an starting point of about $30,000—that’s pretty aggressive, making it one of the most affordable electric pickups out there. The goal seems to be tapping into a growing segment of consumers eager to get into electric vehicles without paying a premium—as with larger, more premium models. Experts suggest Ford’s making a strategic move here, especially to compete against Chinese EV brands like BYD, who are already doing well by offering cost-effective, efficient EVs. Oftentimes, the pickup will come with four doors as a standard feature, fitting comfortably into Ford’s existing electric lineup that includes the larger F-150 Lightning and the Maverick hybrid truck. While we’re still waiting on exact details about range and towing capacity, the emphasis on a smaller battery and a universal platform suggests Ford is trying to strike a good balance—combining utility and affordability through smart design and scalable manufacturing. Ford has been encouraging interested customers and industry insiders to stay tuned for more details as they become available. It seems like this rollout is part of a broader strategy to boost their presence in the light truck segment, while making electric vehicles accessible to a broader audience. Honestly, it’s pretty exciting to see such a big automaker focusing on affordable EV options—definitely a development to keep an eye on. Note: References are from a variety of sources, primarily focusing on Ford’s plan for a budget electric pickup, their battery tech, manufacturing plans, and competitive positioning. Source: Noah Wire Services