Electronic monitoring rules now in effect

Many truckers are not welcoming a federal rule that took effect Monday requiring the use of a digital system to log hours.

The rule, which has survived years of review and legal challenges, already was being followed by many large fleets. Smaller companies, including owneroperators, have been slower to buy the electronic systems, according to industry trade groups.

Congress included the rule in a larger transportation bill that that passed in 2012 and was signed by President Barack Obama. Supporters of digital monitoring said the technology would make the roads safer by providing a clear record of whether drivers are following the existing law that requires a certain amount of rest between driving shifts.

Elected officials and regulators are "trying to fix a problem that really isn't there," said Monte Wiederhold, who owns a trucking business near Toledo that consists of one truck that he owns and drives, and five

that Toyota’s electric vehicles will be first offered in China, a nation that is encouraging EVs with subsidies and other policies, and is expected to drive massive growth in that technology.

Terashi says Toyota’s EVs will be offered later in Japan, India, the U.S. and Europe.

The company says that by about 2025, every model it sells will have some kind of “electrified” version, such as hybrid, electric or fuel-cell.

Last week, Toyota announced it will set up a joint auto battery business with Japanese electronics maker Panasonic Corp. Terashi stressed that the deal with Panasonic is “a crucial piece” in Toyota’s strategy, and that it wanted to promote a Japanese partnership.

Advances in battery technology are vital for the success of EVs. A major shift toward their use would require more use and recycling of the rare and expensive materials used in batteries, such as lithium.

Toyota announced other goals on green vehicles. By about 2030, it hopes to sell 5.5 million electrified vehicles per year. Toyota sells about 10 million vehicles globally per year.

The company said it will invest $13 billion to realize its 2030 goal, more than half of it on making batteries.

Other automakers, including Nissan Motor Co., Volkswagen AG and Honda Motor Co., offer or are working on electric vehicles. That means competition among battery makers is heating up.