Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: ELD Out-of-Service Starts Today, Diesel Near Records, Broker Liability Surge, Reefer Spot Jump, California EV Price Bill (Sept 8, 2026)

September 8, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 9 min read

The July ELD out-of-service clock hits zero today, diesel stays near multi-year highs, the Montgomery ruling reshapes broker liability, reefer spot rates jump on a late Labor Day, and California's SB 1213 EV price-transparency bill heads to Newsom — five stories, plain language, from the dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

Today: July-revoked ELDs become out-of-service

Today closes the 60-day window FMCSA set after the July 9, 2026 revocation of ten electronic logging devices. From September 8 forward, carriers still running Ontime Logs iosix, LAST MINUTE ELD, Porter ELD, Zee HOS Compliance, EV ELD IOSIX, Light and Travel ELD, PREMIERRIDE LOGS, 2BRO ELD, 305 ELD, or TT ELD 40 are treated as operating without an ELD. Roadside officers who find a revoked unit should cite 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1) and place the driver out of service under CVSA criteria. The devices failed minimum requirements in Title 49 CFR Appendix A to Subpart B of Part 395. A separate August revocation batch still points to an October 6 swap date—do not mix those clocks.

What it means: Day-of enforcement is live. Maas runs Samsara ELD. Shippers: confirm the unit before you tender. Drivers on a revoked box need a registered replacement now. Hiring CDL-A? Apply on our company driver page or owner-operator page.

Source: FMCSA — FMCSA removes 10 devices from list of registered electronic logging devices

Diesel near multi-year highs; empties still uncovered

FreightWaves editor-at-large John Kingston said ultra-low sulfur diesel futures on the CME settled at effectively the highest price on record, with the AAA daily pump price only about 12 to 13 cents under the short post-Ukraine-invasion spike. New York Harbor heating oil hit $4.72 a gallon—a five-year high on FreightWaves SONAR data. Kingston tied the run to Ukrainian strikes that took more than 1 million barrels a day of Russian refining offline, Hormuz disruption, and historically thin East Coast inventories. California DOE regional diesel has cleared $7 a gallon. Truckload fleets can push most fuel via surcharges, but empty and backhaul miles—often 12% to 13% of total miles—get no recovery.

What it means: Fuel math on deadhead is the real margin killer. Shippers should expect surcharge pressure; need a truck out of DFW/Melissa? Request a quote. Drivers and owner-operators: ask how a carrier pays fuel on empties and layover days, not only the CPM flyer.

Source: FreightWaves — Diesel at 5-year highs: why this surge isn't a blip

Brokers face steeper liability after Montgomery ruling

Transport Topics reports that the Supreme Court's May Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II LLC decision ended broad federal pre-emption that had shielded freight brokers from state-law negligent hiring claims. Some brokers are seeing liability premiums climb by double- or even triple-digit percentages as insurers reprice the segment. One insurer reportedly tripled a broker client's premiums within a week of the ruling; July 1 was the first major post-Montgomery renewal cycle. Brokers are tightening carrier vetting and documentation. Courts still have not defined what 'reasonable care' means for carrier selection, so small fleets without a documented safety program are most exposed.

What it means: Clean, asset-based carriers with a Satisfactory rating win more broker freight. Maas is asset-based and never re-brokered — Safety Satisfactory. Hiring? Apply on our company driver or owner-operator pages.

Source: Transport Topics — Broker SCOTUS exposure 2026

Reefer spot jumps while van and flatbed stay mixed

FleetOwner's Sept 3 read of FTR and DAT shows refrigerated equipment leading the week. FTR put reefer spot up almost 16 cents week over week, about 32% above last year, with refrigerated loads up almost 12%. DAT's national reefer linehaul averaged $2.69 per mile, up 6 cents. Dry van was split: FTR nearly +2 cents and roughly 32% year over year; DAT linehaul $2.19, down 2 cents. Flatbed eased—FTR just over 1 cent lower (lowest since April) despite loads up almost 10%; DAT $2.67, down 3 cents. Analysts linked the unusual reefer bounce partly to a late Labor Day calendar.

What it means: Post-holiday reefer coverage is the tighter ask. Maas runs reefer (−20°F to +70°F) and dry van FTL from Melissa/DFW — request a quote when produce or temp-control lanes heat up. See our refrigerated truckload from DFW guide. Looking for CDL-A work? Apply on our company driver page.

Source: FleetOwner — Reefer spot rates surge as truckload freight rates show mixed trends

California SB 1213 pushes EV truck price transparency to Newsom

TheTrucker reports California SB 1213 cleared both houses and heads to Governor Gavin Newsom. The bill would require manufacturers to disclose commercial EV prices as a condition of HVIP and other state incentive programs, and directs CARB to reevaluate voucher caps annually—especially for fleets serving disadvantaged communities. Bill materials cite International Council on Clean Transportation research showing European electric truck prices fell 27% in recent years while U.S. prices rose 32%. Port of Long Beach and clean-transport groups backed the measure as diesel stays elevated in California.

What it means: Even diesel fleets running California and port-adjacent lanes should watch CARB voucher and pricing rules — they shape equipment costs and who can bid port work. Need a truck out of DFW/Melissa? Request a quote.

Source: TheTrucker — Bill to cut prices of electric commercial vehicles in California moves forward to governor's desk

Running with Maas

Hiring CDL-A company drivers: company driver openings. Owner-operators: lease on with Maas. Need a truck: get a freight quote.

Maas Logistics LLC | 1817 Miller Rd #5, Melissa, TX 75454 | (916) 770-7323 | dispatch@maaslogistic.com

Dallas–Fort Worth | USDOT 3179194 | MC 124881

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