It feels like the last several years have been nothing but change for the commercial trucking industry. While many of the changes seem to be positive and are felt every day by those in the transportation world, it can be hard to keep up with everything. With a new year upon us, we are going to highlight some of the biggest trucking trends we see hitting the industry in 2025.
Logistics is Key in Trucking
We all know logistics is an important aspect of trucking, but what does logistics mean? Logisitics is the detailed coordination and operations involved with moving people, goods, equipment and inventory from one destination to another. Logistics is a complex process that involves strategies and planning to maximize time and trucker mileage while minimizing maintenance and fuel costs.
Fuel and Fuel Alternatives for Semi Trucks
The cost of fuel ebbs and flows throughout the years. Experts are predicting a decrease in diesel fuel costs for 2025. Even with this good news, trucking companies should continue to review their budgets for fuel costs going forward. This could include better route planning or looking into alternative fuel options.
ClearFlame and Cummins have both announced that they are working on internal combustion engines that can run zero emissions fuels like ethanal or liquid hydrogen. Breakthroughs with alternative fuels can lead to improvements in engines, allowing companies to save on fuel costs. These alternative fuels will also continue to support some of the set for by the United States and other countries around the world.
Electric vehicles are no longer a new concept to most of us, but electronic trucks are still a little further behind passenger vehicles. Tesla, Kenworth, Freightliner and Nikola are all working on electric semi-trucks.
Technology Improvements and Autonomous Trucking
Technology truly drives everything in today’s world. Trucking is no different. We are seeing Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisting in all facets of trucking. This includes warehousing, route planning, load optimization, and supply chain planning, just to name a few.
Technology doesn’t just include computers and automation. We are seeing changes in the trucks and trailers themselves. Manufacturers are striving to create safer and smarter rigs. More class 8 trucks and trailers are on the road, than ever before. Almost all of these will feature updated cab technology as well as design updates to cab exteriors and trailers.
Autonomous trucks might seem like a futuristic and far-fetched concept, but chances are we will see some sort of hybrid configuration or fully autonomous loads hitting the roads as soon as 2027. Autonomous trucking could solve some of the bottlenecks facing transportation companies today such as driver shortages and increasing operational costs.
Trucking Laws and Legislation
There is no shortage of laws and regulations that put limits and controls on almost all aspects of our lives. The laws that have been set up around the trucking industry are complex and sometimes hard to navigate. Below are some of the biggest trucking laws that have come up more recently.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
At the end of 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed. This is a monumental investment in the nation’s infrastructure, specifically the improvement of bridges and roads across the country and the continued push for electric vehicles. In the US, 1 in 5 miles of major roads and highways are in poor condition. Poor roadway conditions can affect the daily operations of your fleet, from delays and re-routes to additional maintenance needed for trucks caused by damaged roads. This five-year program will pour more than $100 billion into bridge and road repairs.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) Mandate
The ELD Mandate was set in place in 2018. This requires all operators of commercial motor vehicles to use electronic logging devices to track service hours logged by a driver. This ruling was met with objection. One of the main goals was to improve safety on the roads for professional drivers and other drivers. Surprisingly, fatality numbers have actually been increasing since the mandate went into effect. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) keeps quarterly data available for review. While we understand that there could be other causes contributing to the increase, such as distractions from cell phones and other devices, it is still something worth looking at.
Many drivers are once again pushing for the mandate to be removed or changed. They feel it actually causes more stress and unsafe conditions. There has yet to be any concrete evidence that this mandate is keeping drivers safer. There are several trucks still on the road that are outdated and are unable to use the ELD technology. What should happen to these vehicles and their owners? Do you force them to buy new fleets or re-evaluate the mandate and other potential options to improve safety? We don’t know the correct answer, but it is a conversation that continues to take place.
Engine Bans of Diesel-Powered Vehicles
With the previously mentioned push towards cleaner energy, zero emissions, and electric vehicles, we aren’t surprised to see that some states are beginning to ban diesel and gas engines over a certain age or with a specific emissions rating. In the 1990’s, 17 states enacted laws that regulated emissions levels of both commercial and passenger vehicles.
Most recently, the state of California enacted the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Ban. This ban targets diesel vehicles with weights between 14,001-26,000 pounds that are model 2010 or older. Washington state, Massachusetts and New York are implementing or have implemented similar regulations.
What does this mean for commercial vehicles with internal combustion engines going forward? Honestly, we are not sure. This could potentially cost companies millions of dollars to update fleets to meet new standards. We also don’t know the repercussions electric vehicles will have on an already strained power grid. How are we going to dispose of or recycle batteries that are no longer operational? Will it change transportation times due to charging requirements? These are just a few of the questions facing the trucking industry in the future.
Roane Transportation and the Future of Trucking
There are many changes coming with the future of trucking. From technology and fuel changes to new laws and regulations set forth. Roane Transportation is keeping up with the ever-changing trucking landscape. We have been in business for nearly thirty years and have three locations throughout the country. We offer several different services from transportation and logistics to warehousing and storage trailer rentals.
Do you think you would be a good fit for Roane Transportation? Check out some of the great benefits that come with being a professional driver. Or if you prefer a job that is a little more stationary, we are looking for great people for our office locations. We would love for you to join our family. To see all our information and great benefits, apply here