US Trucking: Navigating Economic Shifts and the Electric Transition

The US trucking industry is currently facing a complex set of challenges and adaptations, characterized by companies working for lower rates while simultaneously handling an increased workload. According to a recent survey by Truckstop.com involving more than 2,000 motor carriers, trucking companies in 2023 drove an additional 3,000 miles on average and managed two extra loads each month. This surge in workload has contributed to an apparent surplus in truck capacity, despite the significant number of small trucking firms exiting the industry. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data reveals a decline in active US motor carrier operating authorities, dropping by 24,569 in 2023 and by another 4,652 in the first two months of 2024. Nevertheless, the total number of authorities remains 25% higher than at the end of 2020.

This resilience and capacity expansion among remaining carriers come at a cost. The Truckstop.com survey found that carriers absorbed costs for 17% of their miles as unpaid “deadhead” travel in the last year. The financial strain is further highlighted by the decrease in spot and contract rates reported by FTR Transportation Intelligence, with spot truck rates falling by 18.7% and contract rates by 7.2% on average in 2023.

Amid these economic pressures, the trucking industry is also grappling with the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of broader environmental and regulatory goals. A study released by the Clean Freight Coalition, conducted by Roland Berger, estimates the cost of upgrading US infrastructure to accommodate electric trucks at $1 trillion. This figure does not include the cost of purchasing battery-electric vehicles themselves, which are three times more expensive than their diesel counterparts. The industry acknowledges the inevitability of shifting towards cleaner energy but calls for a phased implementation to mitigate supply chain disruptions and avoid imposing prohibitive costs on shippers and consumers alike.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and other industry stakeholders argue for a gradual transition that prioritizes certain segments, such as drayage and short-haul less-than-truckload (LTL) operations, before expanding to for-hire truckload services. The proposed infrastructure investments include $57 billion for constructing rapid and overnight chargers at truck stops and an additional $370 billion to upgrade the electrical grid and transmission lines.

As the trucking industry navigates these economic and environmental challenges, it emphasizes the need for innovation and flexibility. The call for technology-neutral policies that encourage the development and adoption of various clean energy solutions, including plug-in hybrids and renewable fuels, reflects a broader understanding that a balanced and thoughtful approach is essential for both the industry’s sustainability and the broader economy’s health.