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Tesla semi

The New Tesla Semi Might Be the Biggest Trucking Development in Decades

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Whether the cars of the future will be electric or gas-powered used to be up for debate. Not anymore. California is moving to have all new vehicles sold in California be electric or plug-in hybrids by 2035. Not everyone is happy about it since electric vehicles remain less affordable than gas models, but the perks of driving electric are undeniable. Elon Musk recently announced that a new Tesla Semi is in production, and the good news couldn’t have come sooner. 

A quick look at the Tesla Semi’s specs

Originally intended for release in 2019, the Tesla Semi is finally coming out in December 2022. Pepsi is scheduled to have its first Tesla Semi on the road by December 1, and even with the three-year delay, the development is revolutionary. An electric semi is something no company has ever produced, placing Tesla (unsurprisingly) miles ahead of the competition. 

Interestingly, it’s one of Tesla’s most cost-effective vehicles yet. It’s also powerful enough to have real applications in the trucking industry. Reportedly, the new vehicle has the following features: 

  • The ability to haul the largest possible semi-truck payload of 80,000 lbs
  • Enough juice to accelerate 0-60 mph with a full payload in 20 seconds
  • Full highway speeds up a 5% gradient with a full load
  • A battery 8.5 times larger than that of the Model S
  • A range of 500 miles with a full payload
  • Recharging abilities to 70% in 30 minutes

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New Smog Check Requirements for Trucks May Help LA’s Air Quality

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No one gets excited about getting a smog check, but there’s one thing all Los Angeles residents can look forward to: Fewer days in which our local mountains disappear in a cloud of brown haze. Numerous factors contribute to pollution in southern California, including smoke from wildfires and chemicals produced by refineries and other factories. The main cause of air pollution in LA County, however, comes from the emissions produced by the vehicles backed up on the 405. 

The air quality in LA has improved dramatically in the past 30 years, but cars and trucks are still responsible for over 50% of all emissions. In hopes of further reducing the number of days that our Google Home devices tell us that the air quality is too unhealthy for a walk on the beach, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is cracking down on trucks.  Read more

Truck trying to save gas

10 Ways to Save Gas Until the Prices Drop

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As of July 2022, the average gas price in the U.S. is about $4.50/gallon. In some states, the numbers are shocking. In LA County, it’s not unusual to see prices over $6, and some gas stations have even passed the $7 mark. Before you start powerwalking to work on the side of the 405, try these tips to save gas and lower your monthly transportation expenses. 

Never Leave the Engine Idling

Leaving the car in the driveway with the AC on while you finish getting ready for work or running back inside for a few minutes is a huge waste of gas. In addition to literally burning money, leaving your car running for more than a minute or two while not in use produces unnecessary greenhouse gasses. 

Don’t Be a Lead Foot

Accelerating quickly is another gas-wasting habit. The harder you hit the gas, the more fuel you waste. Speed up gradually to optimize fuel efficiency and save gas. It’s less fun but much more practical.  Read more

Rising gas prices visual

How Gas Prices Affect BYX and Our Customers

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Gas prices fluctuate by the day. This is nothing new, but the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has caused an exceptionally painful spike. The current average price per gallon in Los Angeles County is currently $5.52, with diesel averaging $5.85, but some stations are charging over $6 per gallon. Trucking companies feel the sting of elevated fuel prices more acutely than most. To fill up a 100-gallon diesel tank costs about $585. If you’re thinking “ouch,” so are we. 

Gas prices look very different than they did in recent months. The average prices are up by 57 cents/gallon from just last month. It’s hard to believe that at this time last year, gas only cost $3.73 a gallon. Inflation is hardly a new dilemma, but now its effects are more pronounced than they have been in decades. 

Shipping companies use something called “fuel surcharge.” A fuel surcharge is a flat rate that allows the cost of fuel to be incorporated into shipping rates in a fair manner and allows shippers to have a fixed fuel cost they can count. Fuel surcharge is an important part of us continuing to operate our business and is set by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and updated weekly. 

Rising Gas Prices May Lead to Rate Hikes Down the Line

Before you panic, BYX just updated our rates at the start of 2022, and we hope to keep them stable for some time. Still, we prefer to be transparent with our customers so they understand why price increases have to happen. It goes without saying that elevated gas prices make transporting goods more costly. The farther the pickup, the more the additional fuel expenses are felt. 

The hike isn’t just felt by trucking companies. Every rung of the transportation ladder is effected, including cargo vessels and moving freight by air. Coupled with the existing supply chain crisis and materials shortage, the cost of everything is likely to increase, not just gas prices. Maintaining our fleet, from replacing tires to changing the oil, is more expensive than it was a year ago. Read more

Trucking and the Environment: How We’re Helping

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If recent events have made one thing clear, it’s that the trucking industry isn’t disappearing anytime soon. About 70% of our consumer goods are shipped via truck, and the impact of trucking on our daily lives is astoundingly beneficial. The impact of trucking on the environment is another story.

Trucking produces a substantial quantity of greenhouse gasses

As of 2016, medium and heavy-duty trucks contribute to about 24% of the greenhouse gasses emitted in the transportation sector. Compared to passenger vehicles at 42%, that’s not bad at all. Still, with around 15.5 million commercial vehicles on the road, the environmental impact has been substantial. Read more

LTL Shipping

The Benefits of LTL Shipping

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Less than truckload freight shipping (LTL) is the term used to describe the transportation of small freight—cargo that does not require the full use of a standard trailer. It’s the perfect solution for shippers with cargo that is too heavy for regular parcel/package carriers but doesn’t require a full truckload. LTL is typically used by shippers seeking to transport cargo that weighs between 150 and 12,000 pounds.

Read on to learn about the many benefits of LTL shipping.

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