Newsletter Archive

Wash. state moves to split from CA trucking regs

Plus: Early EV adopters left in limbo

Trucking has a reputation problem, but who's to blame? One logistics executive says the change in messaging has to come from within before trucking earns the respect it deserves from the general public. Meanwhile, traffic congestion is costing billions of dollars, and a major fleet is piloting new tech to help boost its legal defenses.

Industry Voices

It's time for trucking execs to beef up their messaging

The general public doesn't always think highly of the trucking industry and profession—but why? Gino Fontana, COO and EVP at Transervice Logistics Inc., argues that it defies logic, pointing out that the clothes we wear and the food we eat all arrive on trucks.

Who's to blame for this perception of trucking? Fontana says the industry is partly at fault: "Those of us in trucking aren’t doing enough to talk about what a great industry this is."

Why this matters: Without a strong reputation, trucking will struggle to attract talent, earn public trust and advocate for its needs. Solving the problem can start within the industry.

Get more details at Fleet Owner.

ROADSIDE READS

Is this your dog? A truck driver is trying to reunite a lost pup found wandering at a distribution center with its owner. (Photo credit: NomadTruckerOTR / Reddit)

NYC congestion pricing showdown. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pushes back against Trump's attempts to stop NYC congestion pricing. "This is an attack on our sovereign identity," she says.

Is better pay the answer to driver turnover? An economics professor's take on the issues with driver turnover and whether better pay alone could fix the industry's long-standing retention issues.

Tracking trucking’s rising costs. The American Transportation Research Institute is collecting new carrier data to analyze how operational costs are shifting across the industry.

FAST LANE

REVERSE GEAR: TFI cancels plans to move headquarters to U.S.

TRAILER THEFT: Man charged in stealing trailers with freight worth $1.5M

NUCLEAR VERDICT: Jury verdict amounts to $21M in LA crash

RETROFIT RIGS: Startup adds electric generators to Class 8 tractors

ROAD REPORT

Trucking firms with EVs in fleet are left hanging

As states started to mandate electric vehicles and the industry at-large began to push for EVs, some fleets moved ahead with buying electric trucks so they could meet regulatory deadlines. Now, many of those efforts are on pause or being reversed, creating uncertainty for fleets who invested heavily in EVs.

Why this matters: Early adopters of electric trucks face an uncertain road ahead, as they wait to see how regulations and infrastructure investments play out. (Transport Topics)

Not all drivers against carrier lease-purchase programs

Lease-purchase programs have a bad rap—so much so that an FMCSA task force is examining the programs and may even end them for good. A survey by Overdrive, however, found many instances of drivers having a positive experience with the programs, ultimately leading to truck ownership.

Why this matters: If the task force chooses to abolish carrier lease-purchase programs, it could save some drivers from predatory agreements. But it could also remove the path to ownership that some drivers rely on to establish their business. (Overdrive)

Washington trucking industry wants to break ties with Calif.

Truckers in Washington state expressed support for a bill that would cut ties to California's more stringent vehicle emissions rules. Washington has its neighbor's clean air-related policies for nearly two decades.

Why this matters: Proponents of the bill say severing ties would relieve Washington truckers from costly EV mandates. Opponents, meanwhile, worry it's a step backward in the progress toward cleaner logistics. (My Northwest)

CONNECTED FLEET

Werner trials sideview cameras to boost legal claims, safety

Werner Enterprises is adding sideview camera technology to its trucks, augmenting its forward-facing cameras. One reason is safety. Another: to provide more evidence if the fleet needs to make a legal claim in a crash.

Why this matters: Fleets have faced skyrocketing insurance and claims costs, with Werner recording a 46% YOY increase in these expenses in Q4. Technology and devices that provide more views and angles could help trucking companies prove that their driver is not at fault. (Trucking Dive)