Escalent

09/01/2026

The commercial vehicle of the future won’t be defined by what it can do when it leaves the factory but by how it can evolve throughout its life.

Software-defined vehicle technology is fundamentally changing commercial vehicles, transforming them from hardware-centric machines to software-enabled platforms that can continually gain new features, diagnostics and performance enhancements.

For OEMs, software-defined commercial vehicles could reshape how vehicles are designed, built and monetized.

For fleet businesses, software-defined commercial vehicles could maximize vehicle uptime, improve operational efficiency and reduce total cost of ownership while unlocking new considerations around cybersecurity, data and workforce readiness.

In this new blog, Paritosh Gupta and Vani Punj explore what the transition to software-defined commercial vehicles could mean for the industry and how OEMs and fleets can prepare.

Read more: https://hubs.li/Q04w3TKL0

Learn how software-defined vehicles are reshaping the commercial vehicle and fleet industry and why understanding the transition is critical for OEMs and fleets

08/26/2026

The future of residential energy isn’t simply a question of electricity versus natural gas. It’s a question of where and how each can compete.

Findings from our new Electric Power vs. Natural Gas Landscape Assessment reveal how climate, infrastructure, housing stock and local energy economics are creating vastly different competitive conditions across the US. And with every furnace, water heater and cooktop replacement potentially shaping a household’s energy use for years, the battle for the American home is increasingly being decided one appliance at a time.

In a new blog, our energy expert Jason Stephenson explores what these market dynamics mean for electric and natural gas utilities, and why market-specific strategies will be critical to winning the next customer decision.

Read more here: https://hubs.li/Q04vmb0-0

Explore how residential electrification is reshaping competition between electric and natural gas utilities and influencing appliance adoption and fuel choices.

08/25/2026

DoorDash is now a part of Shopify's retail platform. Independent retailers on Shopify can now offer on-demand local delivery through their existing storefronts. The platform will allow retailers to seamlessly input their products to DoorDash's system and make inventory updates as products are sold, ensuring the utmost accuracy

Shopify's DoorDash integration comes on the heels of its expanded partnership with Uber Direct. Both services change how consumers shop at independent stores and receive their products, offering faster and more convenient delivery for consumers.

https://hubs.li/Q04tXSHw0

Independent retailers on the Shopify e-commerce platform have a new option for providing on-demand delivery to their customers.

08/21/2026

Making EVs feel more affordable may not require an $8,000 price cut.

As EV prices begin climbing again, automakers have an opportunity to think beyond MSRP. Our EVForward research found that including a home charger and installation with a new EV can have the same impact on consumers' perception of affordability as cutting the sticker price by $8,000.

That's an important strategic lesson: how value is packaged can matter as much as the price itself.

Business Insider explores the shifting EV pricing landscape, citing our research and insights from KC Boyce, VP of Automotive and Energy at Escalent.

Read more in Business Insider: https://hubs.li/Q04tK4Zc0

Business Insider

Car companies slashed thousands off their EV prices as consumer interest waned. Now, prices are slowly inching back up.

08/20/2026

Chinese automotive brands are changing the rules of competition in Europe and South America.

While the US is restricting some Chinese connected vehicle technology, vehicle buyers elsewhere are increasingly voting with their wallets and Chinese brands are finding very different ways to win them over.

Escalent’s 2025 EVForward Europe research found that 14% of new-vehicle buyers across five major European markets would consider at least one Chinese brand for their next vehicle. Factor in Chinese-owned brands that consumers perceive as European and that number rises to 21%.

From value and EV specialization to different kinds of partnerships with established automakers, there is no single “Chinese OEM brand” playbook for legacy automakers to defend against.

In a new blog, our auto experts Steve Hill and Corey Reiter examine how this is happening, why it matters, and what established automakers need to understand about the competitive shift.

Read more here: https://hubs.li/Q04tJt4k0

Discover how Chinese automotive brands are gaining ground in Europe and South America and what their growth means for legacy automakers and customer retention.

08/19/2026

As data center development accelerates, public awareness is growing but understanding isn't keeping pace.

Our research with Hahn found that 66% of consumers have only a basic understanding of data centers, even as concerns about energy costs, resource use and community impacts shape attitudes toward new development.

This is where utilities are well positioned to help. Nearly half of consumers trust their electric provider to deliver factual information about data centers.

In T&D World, Escalent's Jason Stephenson explains why utilities have a window of opportunity to engage communities with clear, credible information before skepticism becomes entrenched.

Read Jason's perspective: https://hubs.li/Q04tBWcX0

Hahn Agency

Despite rising awareness, many consumers lack understanding of data centers' resource use and community impact. Stakeholders must proactively educate the public, emphasizing benefits...

08/18/2026

When something goes wrong, that’s not necessarily when an energy utility loses customer trust.

What happens next can matter much more.

New Cogent Syndicated research shows that the Most Trusted Utility Brands aren’t differentiating themselves on service reliability alone. Their advantage is relational: Customers are more likely to believe these energy utilities do the right thing, act ethically, consider customer concerns and deliver fair value.

In a new blog, we explore why empathy, transparency, and showing customers that you’re on their side can make the difference in building and reinforcing Brand Trust. We also look at what the Most Trusted Utilities are doing differently and why every customer interaction matters.

Read it here: https://hubs.li/Q04tlk-P0

See how Cogent Syndicated’s Most Trusted Utilities build customer trust beyond reliable service, and what utilities can learn to strengthen relationships.

08/18/2026

DoorDash is now a part of Shopify's retail platform. Independent retailers on Shopify can now offer on-demand local delivery through their existing storefronts. The platform will allow retailers to seamlessly input their products to DoorDash's system and make inventory updates as products are sold, ensuring the utmost accuracy

Shopify's DoorDash integration comes on the heels of its expanded partnership with Uber Direct. Both services change how consumers shop at independent stores and receive their products, offering faster and more convenient delivery for consumers.

https://hubs.li/Q04syB_Q0

Independent retailers on the Shopify e-commerce platform have a new option for providing on-demand delivery to their customers.

08/17/2026

In a recent interview with PlanAdviser, Escalent’s Sonia Davis shares data from Cogent Syndicated, highlighting DC plan sponsors’ growing interest in alternatives, while actual adoption remains limited.

The article points to data from our 2026 Retirement Planscape report, revealing that 44% of plan sponsors were “extremely interested” in learning more about incorporating alternatives into their DC investment lineups, but only 3% currently offered them.

Read the full article here: https://hubs.li/Q04t48R60

As advisers’ private capital investments are expected to nearly double in five years, surveyed plan sponsors and participants have mixed opinions on alternatives.

08/17/2026

A recent activity fielded via our online community of advisors, The Advisor Exchange, found that asset managers are the top source of thought leadership content among advisors.

But what are the “must-have” factors that truly influence advisor engagement and decision-making?

Our new white paper: https://hubs.li/Q04sp4Hr0, uncovers advisors’ view on what makes best-in-class thought leadership uniquely valuable.

C Space