Battery prices drop as electric vehicle prices rise
subscribe to the daily
-
subscribe to the daily -
Good morning - thinking about buying an electric vehicle?⚡️
For business or for pleasure?
Electric batteries have been the most expensive part of buying an electric car for years, but the cost has fallen 80% since 2012. While it was expected that electric vehicles would become more affordable for the public, it seems that the opposite has happened, instead. With the current push for complete electrification, how are consumers and commercial fleets alike supposed to keep up?
Check out today’s featured article from Quartz for an explanation on the latest electric car news. ☕️
Doc Brown Shock GIF By Back To The Future Trilogy via Giphy
Featured Article:
Why electric cars are getting pricier while batteries get cheaper — Quartz (qz.com)
“Battery prices have fallen precipitously over the past decade. Since batteries are the most expensive component of an electric vehicle (EV), analysts expected that EV prices would decline as well, making them affordable for more people.”
Water Cooler Topics
🚙 Uber revealed plans to cut the company’s marketing expenditure. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi noted in an email to staff on Sunday to begin treating hiring at the company as a “privilege.” Uber will narrow its focus on profitability through a free cash flow rather than adjusted EBITDA.
🚛 A new Penske report reveals the top ten cities Americans have been moving to. People who are moving seem to be flocking to similar hot spots. Houston, Las Vegas, and Phoenix topped the list, and California and New York had no contenders.
📦 Amazon has overstaffed its warehouses. After years of an intense hiring-focused drive, the company is now back-tracking. It’s important to note that Amazon warehouses regularly experience more than 100% turnover every year in part because of the dangerous and difficult working conditions.
Used-car price tags have dropped slightly, soothing the blow from record-high inflation
Photo by Parker Gibbs on Unsplash
Cox Automotive revealed this past Friday that its Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, which records prices of used vehicles sold at its wholesale auctions, dropped 1% between March and April 2022. In fact, wholesale vehicle prices have dipped 6.4% since the previous January 2022 record.
Regardless, prices are still laughably high, and the index continues to show an increase of 14% as compared to 2021 prices.
Carbon Neutrality + Southwest Airlines = a match made in heaven?
Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash
Southwest Airlines has pledged carbon neutrality by the year 2050. However, Vice President of Supply Chain Management & Environmental Sustainability at Southwest Stacy Malphurs has wisely noted, “We needed an actionable plan we can implement in a shorter time horizon.”
The company aims to narrow its focus on technologies the U.S.’s third-largest airline can realistically implement in the short term. To achieve its 2050 goal, the company shouldn’t dwell while waiting for technology not-yet-discovered to appear.
Inflation 💸
For Biden’s ratings to go up, it’s obvious what needs to go down (cnbc.com)
“Fewer small business owners now than a year ago approve of the job Joe Biden is doing as president.”
Stocks week ahead: How long will inflation last? The answer lies in the past | CNN Business
“The Federal Reserve's favorite inflation-related adjective used to be transitory, as in Inflation is transitory and price increases should be temporary.”
“Americans' inflation fears remained near a record-high in April, with consumers expecting the price of everyday goods to stay elevated in the coming years, according to a key Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey published Monday.”
Taming inflation: The role of businesses and employees | The Hill
“Businesses and employees can’t raise interest rates like the Federal Reserve, adjust the supply of money or solve supply chain bottlenecks by themselves, but they do possess one method to help fight inflation.”
EXPLAINER: Recession fears grow. But how high is the risk? | AP News
“Inflation is at a 40-year high. Stock prices are sinking. The Federal Reserve is making borrowing much costlier.”
EV’s 🔋
Rivian (RIVN) Q1 2022 earnings preview (cnbc.com)
“Electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive will report its first-quarter earnings after market close on Wednesday.”
'Extraordinarily frustrated': Renters can find no place to plug-in electric vehicles (msn.com)
“All Hillary Schubach wanted to do is something good for the environment.”
Tech 📟
Watch: RFID Improves Inventory Accuracy and Speed | SupplyChainBrain
“With the improvements in inventory accuracy that radio frequency identification brings, now is the time for companies to review the technology and consider implementation, says Steve Schauer, IoT systems engineer at Barcoding Inc.”
Technology has made the job of truck driver better | Commercial Carrier Journal (ccjdigital.com)
“Ask veteran drivers about the good ol’ days in trucking and they’ll tell you stories about friends they worked with, loads they hauled, trucks they drove, and coming home for a holiday or a kid’s game on the weekend.”
AI 🤖
Autonomous trucking firms launch partnerships with freight transportation providers | DC Velocity
“Heavyweights U.S. Xpress, Penske Truck Leasing, and DHL Supply Chain announce trials of self-driving highway networks.”
“Robotic G2P systems are becoming a viable automation investment to improve picking and lower labor costs.”
Toyota Material Handling, Cornell Engineering to launch Forklift Learning Studio | DC Velocity
“Partnership will connect engineering students with Toyota equipment to ‘elevate immersive engineering education to an entirely new level’ officials say.”
“On Monday, autonomous truck tech company Embark Trucks Inc. announced that it has achieved a major milestone by completing a test runs in adverse weather conditions.”
Safety 🦺
Industry worries speed limiters will lead to road rage | Commercial Carrier Journal (ccjdigital.com)
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) published notice of intent to proceed with rulemaking to mandate speed limiters on most heavy-duty trucks has been published in the Federal Register, kicking off a 30-day-long public comment period.”
Business Strategy 💡
US Xpress pursues Variant turnaround to make digital fleet 'a scalable business' | Transport Dive
“U.S. Xpress is growing tractor count and pursuing operational changes within its digital fleet Variant as the carrier works to grow the company ‘from a nimble startup to a scalable business,’ CFO Eric Peterson said in a Q1 earnings call Thursday.”
Marketing Approach 🤳
Why You Need TikTok in Your Small Business - Small Business Trends (smallbiztrends.com)
“When people ask where they can find me on social media, I say, everywhere except TikTok”.”
Maintenance 🧰
Penske to Provide Maintenance for Torc’s Autonomous Test Fleet - Maintenance - Trucking Info
“Penske Truck Leasing will serve as the truck maintenance service provider for Torc Robotic's autonomous test fleet.”
Werner to provide roadside service for Level 4 AVs | Fleet Maintenance
“Werner's roadside service network will be used on TuSimple's Autonomous Freight Network to reduce customer downtime.”
Fuel ⛽️
Gas prices race back near record highs | CNN Business
“Prices at the pump are once again flirting with record highs.”
“A new logistics fuel card will allow military and federal agencies to buy small quantities of specialty fuel this spring.”
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
Will Truckers’ Protests Be the Thing That Finally Breaks Supply Chains? | Supply Chain Brain
“The slew of protests earlier this year by U.S. and Canadian truckers against COVID-19 protection measures caused some annoying traffic jams in a handful of cities. But whether they signal a serious, long-term threat to an already-challenged supply chain is questionable.”
HR 📝
U.S. Productivity Drops Most Since 1947, Driving Up Labor Costs | 2022-05-06 | SupplyChainBrain
“U.S. productivity dropped in the first quarter by the most since 1947 as the economy shrank, while labor costs surged and illustrated an extremely tight job market.”
“New Gartner study shows reasons for turnover include misalignment with leaders and a desire for flexibility.”
“Contract talks due to start this week between West Coast dockworkers and cargo-handling companies carry high stakes for U.S. supply chains.”
Leadership 🏆
Heavy Duty Trucking Names 2022 Fleet Innovators - Fleet Management - Trucking Info
“Heavy Duty Trucking has named eight trucking fleet executives as its HDT Truck Fleet Innovators for 2022, honoring their leadership and dedication in areas such as zero-emissions adoption, safety culture, maintenance improvements, leading-edge truck and trailer specs and technology, and automation.”
The ones who didn’t help | Seth's Blog (seths.blog)
“If 2% of a population takes coordinated action, it makes a difference. If 5% do, it can change everything.”
Ports 🚢
Over 600 Stranded I-Kiribati Seafarers Repatriated, Some After Two Years (gcaptain.com)
“Over 600 i-Kiribati seafarers trapped overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic have now been repatriated, the International Chamber of Shipping announced Monday.”
Korea to Build Safer Shipping Containers for Lithium-Ion Batteries (msn.com)
“After the massive fire onboard the Felicity Ace that claimed thousands of luxury cars, there's quite a lot of nervousness among shipping companies about moving EVs (or more specifically, their batteries) around.”
“Labor negotiations at 29 West Coast ports are set to start this week with both sides saying they want to avoid further upheaval in supply chains that haven’t fully recovered.”
“United States-bound retail container import volumes are seeing strong spring volumes, setting a new record in the process, as retailers focus on bringing in merchandise ahead of increasing costs and supply chain issues, according to the new edition of the Port Tracker report, which was issued late last week by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and maritime consultancy Hackett Associates.”
MARAD Makes Additional $234 Million Available for Port Projects (gcaptain.com)
“FY 2022 Appropriations Act raises Port Infrastructure Development Program Funding to more than $684 Million, the highest total ever.”
Forecasting 📊
Tales of fuel-market insanity, rates management, cost control | Overdrive (overdriveonline.com)
“It’s official -- well, it’s been official for a good while now -- fuel is absolutely out of hand!”
Logistics Hub Rises on Site of Historic Naval Training Center | GlobeSt
“The conversion of the 440-acre site of the former Bainbridge Naval Training Center—the US Navy’s primary training facility during WWII and the Korean War—into a sprawling logistics center has begun in Port Deposit, MD.”
“The "United States Cold Chain Logistics Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.”
Customer Relations 🤝
Managing the Amazon Effect - Inbound Logistics
“Whether online or in-store, customers expect an immediate and frictionless shopping experience, thanks to Amazon.”
Podcasts 🎙
11 Supply Chain Podcasts you should listen to (allthingssupplychain.com)
“In the area of the supply chain, it is important to keep up to date with the latest news and trends.”
Covid-19 😷
New York hospitals battle supply shortages on Shanghai lockdown | AJOT.COM
“Shanghai’s strict Covid-19 curbs are disrupting health care services halfway across the world, with hospitals in New York suffering a shortage of chemicals used in imaging tests—the latest example of how the Chinese city’s five-week-long lockdown is snarling global supply chains.”
Compliance 📋
“Throughout this week ahead of the May 17-19 Roadcheck inspection blitz event, for subscribers to Overdrive's daily newsletter we'll be offering closer looks at maintenance and other business areas that are common targets for inspectors around the nation, likewise looking back at inspection/violation trends germane to the all-hands-on-deck truck-enforcement event.”
Fuel Tech ♻️
These are the climate change innovations we still need - Vox
“Where companies and governments should place bets for the clean energy technologies of the future.”
Hydrogen’s uphill climb | Fleet Maintenance
“In order for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles to be adopted at-scale in the commercial vehicle industry, there are hurdles that must be overcome—primarily of which are building out fueling infrastructure and lowering costs.”
TMS 🖥
Going Beyond the TMS Status Quo (talkinglogistics.com)
“There has been a dramatic change in supply chain and logistics markets, requirements and procedures over the past 10-20 years.”
Regulations ⚖️
Industry Concerned About Proposed EPA NOx Rule | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing its first new rules governing heavy-truck nitrogen oxide emissions in two decades, but engine manufacturers say the proposals would be difficult to meet and counterproductive because they could slow the move to cleaner technology.”
Senate Panel Advances Water Infrastructure Bill | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
“Legislation designed to enhance funding for the country’s commercial waterways was easily approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this month.”
Driver Issues 🚛
Trucking jobs experience largest surge in nearly a decade - Land Line
“After suffering the first monthly loss in two years, trucking jobs are experiencing the largest one-month surge in nearly a decade.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
Some U.S. manufacturers move supply chain to Mexico from China - Marketplace
“China is still the manufacturer to the world, accounting for 28.7% of global manufacturing output in 2019.”
Quote of the Day:
“If you can’t feed a team with two pizzas, it’s too large.”
— Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon
Follow us on Instagram
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 31, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.