The ‘hesitation tax’ on trucking

Plus: Truck tariffs update | Clean air rule rollback

A cybersecurity conference and truck driving championships. We're sharing the industry events you need to know about.

Plus, a wait-and-see business strategy might do more harm than good. Keep reading to find out why ⬇️

But first, have you heard this new song that honors truckers who lost their lives on the job? Listen here. Warning: it's a catchy tune and a tear-jerker.

⬇️ $3.708

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 8/25, DOWN -0.005¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

ROADSIDE READS

On the agenda. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association will host a cybersecurity conference at the end of October in Austin.

No excuse. This driver is making sure he gets his cardio in between long stretches on the road. Watch a reel of his workout routine.

Top truckers. The National Truck Driving Championships, an event focused on truck safety, took place this past weekend. Check out some photos from the event.

True beauty. This brand-new Kenworth truck is sparkling ✨

INDUSTRY VOICES

The dangers of 'wait-and-see' mode as a business strategy

With economic instability and tariff uncertainty, many business owners have been taking a wait-and-see approach and riding the wave while avoiding major moves or investments.

Brian Holland of Fleet Advantage says that strategy comes at a cost, which he dubbed the "hesitation tax."

"The stark reality is that failing to upgrade aging equipment and trucks now will inevitably result in higher costs later," Holland writes.

Why this matters: While the first instinct during uncertain times may be to hold off on big decisions, the consequences could emerge within months or years. An aging fleet can financially drain a business, from higher maintenance costs to more fuel-hungry engines. Holland recommends thinking about monthly costs in an unbundled structure and developing multi-year plans for equipment.

Get more details at Fleet Owner.

FAST LANE

VISA PAUSE: State Dept. stops issuing employment visas to truck drivers

TRUCK TARIFFS: Trump admin adds truck parts, trailers to tariff list

ON TRACK: Rollback of emissions rules will make clean air more practical, drivers say to EPA

DÉJÀ VU: Spot rates, trucking market could follow 2014 patterns

TECH CONCERNS: SMBs worried about compliance with AI regulations

OTR TO RAIL: BNSF, CSX partner on coast-to-coast service to convert truck freight to rail

SEEN & HEARD

"Once they figure out the solid-state battery, it's gonna be a game changer. But right now, we just don't have the battery technology to be able to run something as heavy as we need to pull."- Kevin Hensley, owner-operator

Hensley talks about EVs, AVs and the future of trucking. Plus, he busts four big myths about the trucking industry on the latest episode of The Oakley Podcast. Listen or watch here.

ROAD REPORT

Recruiting and retaining talent as a small business

Owners of small business trucking companies face a bit of a double whammy: they're not only affected by the broader trucking industry's driver turnover issues, but they also face challenges as a small business to attract and retain talent. In a recent survey, one-third of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill. Many want to raise wages but struggle to do so due to economic pressure.

Why this matters: Execs at small fleets may have to work even harder to recruit and retain drivers. While pay is one factor, company owners could offer benefits, better hours and a truly respectful fleet culture to keep drivers happy. (Forbes)

CONNECTED FLEET

Terminal operator brings AI and automation to gate ops

A truck terminal and drop yard operator called Outpost has built its own computer vision, AI-powered gate automation platform. The goal: correctly record data points like DOT number, company logo, vehicle make and model, and much more when a truck enters a facility. Gate guards' accuracy hovers around 85%, while the tool so far has captured 99.9% of gate events accurately.

Why this matters: Logistics and the supply chain are full of data, but that data is only useful if it's accurate. Technology that can speed the process, gather information accurately and save operational costs could be a win for terminals and trucking fleets alike. (CCJ Digital)