Food trucks in the U.S. have taken many forms, but have long been a popular option for dining. Now as the coronavirus pandemic alters the way we interact and engage with others, these kitchens on wheels may have a new function, especially on college campuses.
Rod Keller, CEO of the electric vehicle manufacturer AYRO is jumping at the opportunity to capitalize on the niche industry in a partnership with Gallery Carts. The new collaboration will combine AYRO's expertise in developing electric vehicles with Gallery's expertise in creating food delivery vehicles.
"Colleges are faced with, 'Well how do we provide food and beverage while at the same time, avoiding the mass crowds that you would typically see inside of a cafeteria?'" Keller told Cheddar.
So far, more than $500,000 has been poured into the collaboration as orders for the vehicles continue to amass. Keller said he's confident that as universities and other large campuses seek safer ways to feed their communities amid the pandemic, the need for their services will grow.
AYRO is also banking on buyers in higher education considering the long-term savings electric vehicles can provide. Keller said its electric vehicles save fleet operators at least 50 percent on fuel and energy costs.
"When people are moving cargo from one side of a university to another, or business campus, or hotel and resort, you don't need a full-sized truck with 400 miles of range running on gasoline to do that," Keller said.
Jessi Gold, director of wellness, engagement, and outreach in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, joins Cheddar News to discuss workplace burnout and what signs to look out for.
The new show "Million Dollar Wheels" takes Discovery+ viewers behind the scenes of what it takes to be a luxury car dealer to the stars. The star, CEO, and founder of Wires Only, a full-service luxury automotive, aviation, and entertainment company, joined Cheddar News to talk about what to expect from the series. "The thing about this show is we've got crazy deals with the craziest clients. I'm talking Kim Kardashian, Tom Holland, Jamie Foxx, the list goes on. And they're the craziest requests you could ever imagine," he said. "And me and my team are trying to make the impossible possible, running all over the place, doing whatever it takes to close these deals."
Actor Tom Holland has been dominating the movie scene lately with two of the top three films in the box office this past month. The star drew in the ticket sales with his roles in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and "Uncharted."
Officials from Ukraine and Russia have begun meeting along the Belarus border to discuss a potential end to the ongoing invasion, even as the fighting continues to drag on. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas 9th District) joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, what to expect from President Joe Biden's State of The Union Address, and the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court. "I'm still hopeful, and I hope that Mr. Putin will understand that he has united the world against him," Green said of the new round of peace talks.
In recent years, rideshare companies Lyft and Uber have been moving into the non-emergency medical transportation business, or NEMT helping low-income patients and Medicaid recipients get to appointments they might otherwise miss. Nicole Wetsman, a health tech reporter for The Verge, joins Cheddar News to discuss.