Bigger is always better, right? Especially in the automotive world, it’s often thought that a larger engine means more power, greater speed and faster acceleration. In our world, larger engines equate to more power, not only for acceleration but for powering through steep inclines. So why would a school district opt for a 4-cylinder engine? … Continued
We’ve all heard the saying before: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” But is that really possible? To go into work every day… and truly love it? Employees at the nine businesses profiled in this year’s Lynchburg Business Best Places to Work awards say, “Yes, it’s possible!” … Continued
The German auto giant that acquired Torc Robotics last month has created a new business unit focused on putting self-driving trucks on the road within a decade. It’s all part of a $570 million investment by Daimler Trucks, with some of that work landing in Blacksburg, according to a Wednesday press release. The news adds … Continued
Books on the Bus (BOB) has had a new wheelchair lift installed so that the mobile books and entertainment program will be accessible to all children this summer. Sonny Merryman, Inc. donated the wheelchair lift and its installation. BOB spent spring break at Sonny Merryman, Inc.’s headquarters in Evington, Virginia, having the new lift installed. … Continued
As more fleet operators begin to consider, a transition to battery-electric vehicles, they are also facing new realities in implementing and maintaining a complex energy ecosystem along with new challenges and upfront costs. To help fleets take on these new operational issues, Proterra, a developer and supplier of heavy-duty electric transportation systems and services, has … Continued
Diesel engine vehicles can be damaged by using low quality diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). This includes catalyst poisoning, deposits which can restrict equipment from operating, and DEF injector and filter clogging. Repairs can be very expensive with long downtime possible, and damage could void the manufacturer’s warranty. These potential dangers demonstrate why education about using … Continued
As leaders in innovation in the school bus industry, I admit that there is a lot of new technology coming along today. To some, it may seem like too much, with so many bits and pieces flying around: new gadgets to learn, new components to maintain and new features to spec. To others, many of … Continued
Clean-diesel today isn’t what it was 10 or 15 years ago and, in fact, it’s still the best long-term solution for most districts. With so much talk about alternative fuels today, diesel has become a dirty word – literally. Districts running a diesel fleet are starting to feel the pressure to switch to something cleaner … Continued
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration is one of the largest pain points for school bus operators and maintenance technicians. It’s not uncommon to hear of fleets who experience multiple regen issues a day, causing their buses to remain parked or on the side of the road in need of a manual regen. “It’s been a … Continued
#TeamSonny headed out to Denver, Colorado this week for the annual Thomas Built Buses Dealer Meeting. Every year, Thomas Built dealers from all over the United States and Canada come together to collaborate with one another, discuss industry changes and trends, and learn about new and upcoming technology, such as Thomas’ first electric bus, the eC2. … Continued
