Five good things that happened in trucking this week—Aug. 20

Disconnect to reconnect—despite the brief hiatus from the weekly reveal of good things happening in the trucking industry, we are back and better than ever. With incredible achievements and advancements in technology, it's my pleasure to feature five good things that happened in trucking.

133 XPO Logistics LTL drivers reach safety milestones

XPO Logistics revealed that another seven XPO less-than-truckload (LTL) drivers surpassed three million accident-free miles in the first half of 2021, an additional 27 XPO drivers reached two million accident-free miles and 99 drivers reached one million accident-free miles in the same period, bringing the number of honorees to 133. All are employed by XPO’s North American LTL business unit.

The three million-mile drivers are:

• Gerardo Campos of Texas
• Ina Daly of Arizona
• Mark Klun of Arizona
• John Macdonald of Canada
• Kevin Moore of Ohio
• Steven Sallee of Indiana
• Randall Siverling of Ohio

“Each time we enter the cab and get behind the wheel, safety is at the forefront of our minds,” said Ina Daly. “This team focuses intently on the details. I’m extremely proud to join the ranks of my million-miler colleagues.”

XPO tracks accident-free miles in its LTL network as part of Road to Zero, its comprehensive safety program. It takes approximately a decade of safe driving to achieve one million miles without an accident. In total, these drivers drove 174 million accident-free miles—the equivalent of two and a half roundtrips from Earth to Mars.

Trucking takes national spotlight during upcoming NASCAR race

Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) will be a featured brand on the No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at the Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, August 21. The industry mascot, “Safety Sammy” will also be in the grandstands prior to the race from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to greet race fans.

Pilot Flying J invited TMAF to be part of their racecar branding which will feature the TMAF logo and #ThankATrucker campaign social media hashtag. Car owner Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driver Michael Annett and Pilot Flying J VP Steve Vanderink today unveiled the paint scheme of the No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet.

During TMAF’s inception in 2013, Pilot Flying J was a launch supporter and has continued its strong involvement in the organization by contributing a total of $3 million over the last seven years and with Wendy Hamilton, senior manager of Operations and Support for Pilot Company, serving as a TMAF board member. This year, Pilot Flying J is donating $150,000 to TMAF along with the in-kind sponsorship of the TMAF branded No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet.

“The men and women of the trucking industry are heroes. They are the heartbeat of our supply chain and we are thankful every day for their dedication to delivering the goods that we all depend on,” Hamilton said. “Pilot Flying J is grateful to TMAF for shining a light on the importance of professional drivers and the industry. We are proud to showcase how essential trucking is by bringing TMAF to the track on the No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet and hope it helps raise appreciation for all that professional drivers do to keep the country moving.”

Walmart, PepsiCo launch “Every Day Heroes” campaign

Walmart has launched its “Every Day Heroes,” a joint effort with PepsiCo to celebrate associates nationwide who make a difference for their teams, their customers, and their communities. Beginning July 22, select Frito-Lay products in Walmart stores will be specially packaged to recognize and celebrate these associates. Each product will feature a QR code linking to a site where customers can learn firsthand how these Every Day Heroes make an impact through their work.

“When we talk about heroism, we often think of the spectacular, but simple acts of service, kindness, and enthusiasm that make all the difference, especially during challenging times,” said Julie Murphy, chief people officer at Walmart. “The Every Day Heroes listed below have gone to remarkable lengths to serve others, and so many of us are inspired by how they live our Walmart values. We’re thankful not only for the work these associates have done but also for who they are as people.”

April Coolidge, a Walmart driver out of Pageland, South Carolina, is featured in the campaign. Defined as a cheerful, energetic person by nature and a member of the elite Road Team Member Group of the American Road Team Association, April helps bring joy to her peers by spreading positivity and kindness.

“She takes pride in representing women in trucking, and in her nearly-three years driving with Walmart, has worked to reinforce the industry’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and professionalism,” Murphy described. “Talk about everyday heroism.”

Meals on Wheels People debuts electric-solar van

Meals on Wheels People has introduced a new vehicle into its fleet—an all-electric van with a refrigeration unit powered by solar energy. The van was funded by a grant from the Portland General Electric (PGE) Drive Change Fund and was built by Lightning eMotors of Loveland, Colorado.

The Lightning Electric Transit Van is a zero-emission electric vehicle. The van is believed to be the first electric van deployed in the United States to have a fully functioning solar-powered refrigeration system, used to keep meals fresh for delivery. 

The refrigeration unit is powered by a 12-volt battery pack that is charged by the vehicle when the van is plugged in and by a solar panel when the vehicle is in the sun. The van will be used for the Meals 4 Kids, which serves qualified children and families within the City of Portland experiencing food insecurity and is funded by the Portland Children’s Levy.

“Sustainability is part of our corporate culture and Meals on Wheels People is committed to reducing its impact on the environment,” Suzanne Washington, Meals on Wheels People CEO, said. “Converting to electric vehicles is just one step in our Green Initiative and helped us earn a spot on the list of 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon. We are extremely grateful to PGE for providing us the funding for our new electric vehicles and charging stations.”

Ford employees save wedding with Ford F-150s

Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company, took to Twitter to share all the possible uses for the Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid with Pro Power Onboard.

Last weekend, there was a power outage during this couple's wedding, Farley reported in the tweet.

“Thankfully their friends—two Ford employees—used their F-150 PowerBoost hybrid with Pro Power Onboard to bring the party back to life! Love seeing F-150 save the day.”

Watch the video below to see the Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid in action.