Ep. 119: Rachel Nealer – U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

Rachael Nealer, energy and transportation leader, former executive director of the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, talks about why it is important to break down silos, new models for momentum, and the importance of making research actionable. She also talks about what she thinks can be applied from passenger cars to trucks, and why money is not the only thing needed to transition to a new technology. She also shares what she sees as some of the less common benefits and challenges of EVs and gives some advice on approaching the future.

Dan Priestley, Director, Semi at Tesla, talks about the early days of the Tesla Semi, why they are focusing on the on-highway segment of the market, the truck’s development and what were some of the lessons they learned in the early days. He also provides an update on where Tesla is today, why he loves working with fleets, why sometimes it can be challenging for fleets to make a big commitment on a new technology and why he thinks in the future fleets will appreciate the longevity and potential of EVs.

John Walters, vice president and general manager, heavy-duty, Americas for Valvoline, talks about his love for technology, how fate brought him to trucking, and why we all have a stake in making the trucking industry more efficient. He also talks about the work Valvoline is doing to prove to the heavy-duty market that it belongs. And he shares his thoughts on the Messy Middle, why he welcomes it and wants to be a part of it and explains how the trucking industry is like an elephant.

Leia Guccione, managing director of Carbon-Free Transportation at RMI, talks about her career in the Navy and the Naval Reserve and how the skills she learned there transferred to her job in the civilian world. She also talks about the value teams bring to problem solving, her passion for working on a problem from a variety of angles, what excites her about working in transportation, the transportation transformation that is taking place and how BEVs have the potential to make it easier to make the grid green.

Cliff Campbell, managing director and industry liaison officer for the Center For Freight and Logistics Efficiency With Electrified and Automated Trucking, explains what the organization does to bridge the valley of death in innovation and how the center leverages the research dollars of its members. He also talks about the three projects that are currently underway at the center which include an EV case study, development of a new type of motor and 3D printing of EV parts. He also shares his views on autonomous trucks including why he thinks there will always need to be a human in the cab.

Jason Morgan, content director at Fleet Equipment, talks about how the pandemic shaped Fleet Equipment’s direction and his move from magazine editor to digital content producer. He also talks about his desire to tell a great story, what keeps him in trucking and his impressions of ACT Expo. He also shares his thoughts on what it’s going to take to get us through the next several years.

Kim Ehrenhaft, NACFE’s design director and trucking industry marketing consultant, talks about her career in the trucking industry, the work she does for NACFE, the role of graphics and infographics and makes an infographic successful. She also talks about the value Run on Less brings to the trucking industry and peels back the curtain about what happens at visits to the participating fleets.

Deborah Lockridge, editor and associate publisher of Heavy Duty Trucking, why she loves the trucking industry, what makes Heavy Duty Trucking unique and its role in the trucking industry of providing perspective and insights. She also shares her opinion on whether trucking is more challenging now than it was in the past and about how we are doing attracting women to the industry. And she gives tips on what makes a good story.

Giorgio Rizzoni, professor at The Ohio State University and director of the Center For Automotive Research, talks about how he came to Ohio State and explains the role of a research center in educating the next generation of engineers. He also talks about his role in developing engine controls and emissions controls. He also talks about his work at the DOE hybrid-electric refuse trucks, what he is excited about in trucking and the importance of writing.

Mike Rowand, energy and electric transportation consultant, talks about his career with Duke Energy, his work with EPRI and his role as an interface between the utility and the trucking industries. He also talks what utilities need to know about trucking and about grid readiness. He explains the role of communication and collaboration and how fleets can help utilities do a better job of serving them.