Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, May 19, 2026:
- Own a Fontaine flatbed? Check to see if it’s recalled.
- Truckers get two more weeks for state tax-free fuel in Georgia.
- Autonomous trucks begin testing in Ohio.
- Severe-duty Internationals may have brakes issues.
‘Do not drive’ warning issued for recalled Fontaine flatbeds
Fontaine Trailer Company has issued a “do not drive” warning for approximately 247 model-year 2025-’26 Fusion flatbed trailers that could have structural issues.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents state that the main beams of the affected trailers may have been contaminated with hydrogen during the galvanization process, causing the beams to crack. A cracked beam may break, resulting in a loss of load support.
“While only a small number of trailers have to date exhibited hydrogen embrittlement and those affected trailers have continued to operate with observed cracking, continued use may allow cracks to propagate, which could reduce the structural integrity of the trailer’s main beams,” Fontaine said in the recall documents. “Though it has not yet been observed in the field, if the cracking progresses, it may result in partial or complete fracturing of the main beam under load, potentially leading to loss of load support or structural failure during operation.”
Owners are advised not to use their trailer until the remedy is completed. Fontaine Trailer will inspect and replace the trailers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11.
Owners can contact Fontaine Trailer customer service at 1-800-821-6535, option 5. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-291.
Georgia extends fuel-tax suspension
Due to ongoing high diesel and gas prices and the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, which typically sees a big influx in travelers, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order extending the state’s fuel tax suspension for another two weeks through June 2.
Georgia’s motor fuel tax suspension was set to expire at the end of the day today, May 19.
“As Georgia families prepare for the Memorial Day travel weekend, they should not feel blindsided by prices at the gas pump,” said Governor Brian P. Kemp. “Along with our partners in the legislature, we've remained committed to giving hardworking Georgians relief wherever able, and this action is another fulfillment of that promise.”
The suspension knocks off 37.3 cents per gallon for diesel and 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline.
At the federal level, President Donald Trump has signaled his support for suspending the federal fuel tax. The move would require Congressional action, and would knock another 24.4 cents off the price of a gallon of diesel.
[Related: Georgia suspends fuel tax]
Driverless, cab-less autonomous electric trucks deployed in Ohio
Ease Logistics is working with Swedish autonomous truck manufacturer Einride to deploy SAE Level 4 autonomous trucks into proof-of-concept service between Ease warehouses in Marysville, Ohio.
This marks Ease Logistics' third autonomous trucking deployment in partnership with DriveOhio, the company noted.Einride
The deployment of the trucks is an extension of the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio’s Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana DOT. It’s designed to evaluate the impact of autonomous technology on operations, safety and freight efficiency, the companies said.
Operations will take place on Ease property and local public roads and will utilize two of Einride's advanced L4 autonomous electric trucks. Starting this summer, the trucks will transport goods between Ease warehouses, generating data on impacts to warehousing, distribution, and transportation operations.
The vehicles are self-driving, cab-less electric trucks that operate without a driver. They are capable of navigating routes autonomously, handling everything from routine driving to unexpected situations, the companies added. A remote operator monitors the trucks off-site and can intervene if needed.
Said Ease President and CEO Peter Coratola, Jr., "Deployments like this help move autonomous trucking from controlled pilots into daily freight operations, where safety, reliability, and efficiency can be evaluated at scale. By working with leading autonomous technology providers, including Einride, in real-world environments, we're helping accelerate the infrastructure and operational readiness required for the next generation of freight transportation."
[Related: Large fleet plans to add 500 autonomous trucks, starting next year]
Service brake issue prompts International recall
A small number of severe-duty 2026-’27 International HV trucks are being recalled for a potential service brake issue.
In the approximately 16 affected units, the service brake may take longer than expected to release. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Dealers will remove the 5/8” air line and replace it with a 3/4” air line, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact International's customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 26506. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-294.
[Related: One-day blitz parks 500+ trucks: Toughest states for brakes violations]
