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Drayage drivers are growing increasingly reluctant to pull container chassis because they fear high violation levels on that equipment will hurt their safety records, according to several industry officials.

Balqon Corp., which makes electric-powered heavy-duty trucks, has introduced a new Class 8 tractor for inner city and shorthaul drayage service.

The world of drayage carriers has certainly changed since motor carriers finally convinced the federal government to establish that it was the owners of freight container chassis who are legally responsible for their maintenance. But the change has not at all come in the ways most fleets expected.

Trade groups representing ocean carriers and lessors that provide chassis to drayage carriers have asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to streamline the intermodal interchange process and cut down on paperwork for truckers.