HDT Talks Trucking
Episodes
Cutting Fleet Fuel Costs in a Volatile Market
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When diesel prices are as volatile as they've been in 2026, it makes it tough for trucking fleets to plan and control costs.In this episode of HDT...
Understanding Trucking's Digital Frontier
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Trucking technology is evolving fast — but what’s real, what’s hype, and what actually matters for fleets?In this episode, we cover:AI in real-w...
Electric, Diesel, Natural Gas, Biofuels? What Run on Less Data Is Showing
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The future of trucking isn’t diesel — or electric. It’s the “messy middle.”In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge talks wi...
Cargo Theft Is Exploding — And Congress May Finally Step In
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cargo theft losses surged to nearly $725 million last year, according to CargoNet, and the problem is no longer local or opportunistic.In this HDT Tal...
Double Brokering, Phishing, and the Rise of Strategic Cargo Theft
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cargo theft in the U.S. has changed dramatically in just a few years. What was once dominated by small regional crews is now increasingly driven by or...
The Future of Class 8 Brake Telematics
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Brakes are the final frontier for telematics on Class 8 trucks.But Hendrickson Vehicle Systems is close to a breakthrough that may change the game whe...
FMCSA Turns Up Enforcement: What Trucking Fleets Face in 2026
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
FMCSA enforcement is ramping up. After a turbulent 2025 in regulations, what's next for trucking fleets?Transportation attorney and Truck Safe Con...
AI in Action: Pilot’s Maintenance Strategy
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
AI gets plenty of hype at tech shows like CES—but what does it actually look like in a real trucking maintenance operation?In this HDT Talks Truckin...
Lisa Kelly on the Return of Ice Road Truckers and Life as an Owner-Operator
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From -40°F repairs to social media trolls, Lisa Kelly talks about the return of Ice Road Truckers, living with a camera in her cab, handling criticis...
Trucking's Telematics Technology Crisis
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's a problem with truck telematics today: Too much data and not enough action.Jack Roberts talks to Brent Ellis, vice president of business s...
Small Carrier Success Stories: Graig Morin and Brown Dog Trucking
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Graig Morin started out as a fleet driver in his hometown of Biddeford, Maine. But he knew he wanted to found his own fleet one day.He knew he'd n...
Navigating TMS Trends in Trucking: Tucker Freight Lines' Journey
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the trends in transportation management systems used by trucking fleets, as we talk to Tucker Freight Lines about its journey in implementing ...
Understanding the Power of TCO for Truck Fleets
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding and applying Total Cost of Ownership to your truck or fleet is critical for maximizing profits and productivity.Brian Antonellis, senior...
Autonomous Trucks in Fleet Operations Today
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Autonomous trucks are already working in real fleet operations today.But what do those operations look like?And how does deploying and operating auton...
Real Talk on EV Drayage in California: Policy, TCO, and Port Pain Points
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Deborah Lockridge talks with Matt Schrap, newly minted chief commercial officer at Forum Mobility and former CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association.We...
A Tough But Rewarding Journey: 4Gen’s Path to All-Electric Trucks
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
4Gen Logistics has one of the largest zero-emission drayage fleets in Southern California — with 64 battery-electric trucks and 15 hydrogen fuel-cel...
Can Zero-Emission Trucking Survive a Regulatory Rollback? 4Gen's Brad Bayne Weighs In
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Deborah Lockridge catches up with 2023 HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Brad Bayne of 4Gen Logistics for a progress re...
Why Polaris Transportation is Racking up Workplace and Tech Awards
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At Polaris Transportation Group, sustainability isn’t just about emissions — it’s about people, culture, technology, and giving back. Brenda Bra...
AI, Trucking, & Trust: Penske’s Tim Haynes on Real-World Fleet Data
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI adoption in the trucking industry is skyrocketing — and leaders, executives, and managers of heavy-duty trucking fleets are taking notice. In th...
Retaining Today's More Diverse Truck Driver Workforce: Lessons from the Best Fleets to Drive For
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From pet policies and panic buttons to sign language and management diversity, trucking fleets are finding new ways to support a changing professional...
Pink Swag, Real Talk, Big Rigs: Lily Transportation Supports Women Truck Drivers
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tammie Dean has an advantage when recruiting and mentoring women drivers at Lily Transportation: She’s experienced life on the road as a female driv...
What Volvo Connect Updates Can do for Trucking Fleets
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How is a new Volvo heavy-duty truck like your smartphone? After Volvo Trucks North America launched the all-new Volvo VNR regional truck, HDT's De...
How Western Star Helped a Young Gamer Become a Real-Life Trucker
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago's Connor Hudziak had never driven a real truck before. However, the young man loved playing "American Truck Simulator" after sch...
What's the 'Messy Middle' of Long-Haul Decarbonization?
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's the best path to decarbonization for your trucking fleet? The North American Council for Freight Efficiency is looking at the "messy m...
How Atlas World Group Built a More Inclusive and High-Performing Workplace
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how Atlas World Group creates high-performing teams by teaching employees how to look at different points of view. Kelly Cruse, VP of Human R...
Why Hexagon Agility Loves Natural Gas as a Truck Fuel
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Renewable natural gas is, well, a natural when it comes to replacing diesel as a clean fuel for truck fleets. Hexagon Ability's senior vice presid...
What Jamie Hagen has Learned About Running a Small Fleet
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jamie Hagen has gone from being a fleet driver to a small fleet owner. He's also become a well-known social media trucking influencer with an insi...
Stronger Together: Trucking and Law Enforcement
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There are some important issues in trucking -- such as cargo theft, human trafficking, truck parking -- where working with law enforcement can help ge...
The Future of RNG as a Truck Fuel
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Renewable natural gas is an amazing clean fuel. It can deliver diesel-like range and performance on the highway, while emitting vastly reduced tailpip...
How a New Nonprofit Offers Highways of Hope for Human Trafficking Victims
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A small group of women in trucking and logistics have founded a nonprofit organization to help human trafficking victims. HDT Editor and Associate Pu...
Volvo and DHL's New Take on Autonomous Trucks
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Volvo Trucks sees autonomous trucks as an entirely new mode of freight transportation. Sasko Cuklev, head of Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and Jason Gi...
20-Year-Old Female Diesel Technician Challenges Stereotypes
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Kaitlynn Aikin – a 20-year-old diesel technician at Southeastern Freight Lines who is challenging stereotypes and inspiring the next generation...
Beyond the Hype: Understanding AI in Trucking Fleet Management
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence: What is it, and how can it help trucking fleets? Penske experts share insights from their work with AI, both as a tool for cu...
Toll Verification Technology for Trucking Fleets
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tolls are becoming a serious management issue for fleets across North America. But new toll verification technologies can help fleet managers bring or...
California, EPA, and the Uncertainty of Truck Emissions Regulations
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Explore how trucking fleets can deal with shifting emissions regulations and plan for adoption of zero-emission trucks as HDT's Deborah Lockridge talk...
Dave Heller Talks About TCA's Call on Washington
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Helping lawmakers and regulators understand the trucking industry is vital on important topics ranging from electric trucks to independent contractor ...
AI, Uptime, and Predictive Maintenance
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How are truck makers using artificial intelligence to change how fleets keep their trucks on the road and generating revenue? To learn more, HDT exec...
What Did We See at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show?
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get a peek at some technology that may soon make its way into the trucks you buy as HDT's Jack Roberts shares insights from the big IAA commercial veh...
Meet Two of HDT's 2024 Truck Fleet Innovators
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just how far will Foodliner stretch its oil drain intervals? Can Roehl Transport master artificial intelligence? Meet two of HDT's Truck Fleet Innovat...
Is Trucking Meeting its Duty to Public Safety?
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why aren't trucks as safe as airplanes? Should motor carriers be required to carry more insurance? On this episode of HDT Talks Trucking, Debora...
How Long-Term Planning Can Help Trucking Fleets with Uncertain Times
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When is trucking going to climb back up the back side of the latest cycle? How can trucking fleets do a better job of preparing for these ups and down...
Accelerating California's Hydrogen-Truck Future
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The infrastructure needed to support California's hydrogen economy is not going to sprout up from the ground by itself. Calstart is supporting th...
Why Add Truck Driver Training to High Schools?
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what the Next Generation in Trucking Association is doing to bring more drivers and technicians into trucking as a first career choice. One o...
The Darker Side of Hydrogen as a Transportation Fuel
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hydrogen is widely thought of as the ideal energy source for long-haul trucking. It will take trucks places batteries can only dream of today. Renewa...
How Fleets Can Use AI to Engage Truck Drivers
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is artificial intelligence the next big leap in truck driver recruiting and retention technology? Communicating with drivers on the road has come a lo...
Taming Truck Battery Headaches
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Heavy-duty truck batteries are often overlooked — until a driver goes to crank up the truck and it won’t start. In an age where nearly every syste...
Tearing Down Barriers Facing Women in the Trucking Industry
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The National Transportation Institute's Leah Shaver challenges some conventional thinking about women in trucking, from behind the wheel to the bo...
Can Your Radio Take Control of Your Truck?
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The automotive cybersecurity landscape is evolving, movingbeyond mere ransomware attacks on fleets. While that is something to be guarded against, hac...
What Do Scope 3 Emissions Mean to Your Trucking Fleet?
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With more attention being paid to Scope 3 emissions, may need to take a more proactive approach and a deeper dive into your company’s operations to ...
Too Fast for Conditions: Solving Trucking's Roll-over Dilemma
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are seeing a distressing increase in the number of truck rollover crashes these days. And while they are fewer in number, the number of runaway tru...
HDT Talks Trucking: Too Fast for Road Conditions: Solving Trucking's Rollover Dilemma
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are seeing a distressing increase in the number of truck rollover crashes these days. And while they are fewer in number, the number of runaway tru...
How Trucking Fleets Can Get Control of False Driver Logs
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Truck driver log falsification violations can lead to out-of-service orders, fines, bad federal safety scores, failed DOT audits, civil penalties, eve...
Your Safety Manuals Could Cost You in Court
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that your fleet’s driver manuals and policies could become the detonator of a nuclear verdict against your trucking company? We’ll le...
Can Microgrids Speed the Transition from Fossil Fuel to Electric?
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Microgrids, sometimes called distributed energy resources, are local sources of electricity operating separately from the utility grid. They typically...
One Energy's First Megawatt Charging Hub in Findlay, Ohio
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One Energy is an industrial power company and installer of on-site, behind-the-meter, wind energy systems. In early October, the company unveiled its ...
How to Run a Top-Notch Safety Program and Earn Drivers' Respect
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Sarah Cates. She's the rock-star safety director at Thomas E. Keller Trucking of Defiance, Ohio. Her bosses love her. Her drivers love her. A...
It's a Good Time for Trucking Fleets to do a 'Tune-up'
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What can trucking fleets do now to transform their operations and be ready to take advantage of the next freight upturn? HDT's Deborah Lockridge t...
How to Avoid Truck Out-of-Service Violations
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Having a truck placed out of service during a roadside inspection means unhappy drivers and customers, truck downtime, expensive repairs, fines, and d...
How Can Trucking Solve its Parking Shortage?
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Trucking has a parking problem. The number of trucks seeking parking exceeds the number of available spaces. Projections suggest the number of trucks ...
How Did Bison Transport Achieve its Phenomenal Safety Record?
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bison Transport is arguably the safest large fleet in North America. Bison has taken home the Truckload Carriers Association Grand Prize fleet safety ...
Doubling Down on Safety With Advanced Safety Technology
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Trucking fleet owner John Vaccaro became a big believer in automatic emergency braking, dashcams, and other advanced safety systems after he nearly lo...
Build Better Driver Relationships Through Communication
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding what your drivers are experiencing and how they feel about their jobs is critical to keeping them happy. Happy drivers tend to stay put....
What Truck Driver Job Application Data Says About Recruiting and Retention
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The softer freight market has made truck drivers more likely to seek greener pastures. What can fleets learn about recruiting and retention from job a...
New Near-Zero Emissions Diesel Sales Top 57%
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, clean diesels make up 57% of the commercial vehicle population. That’s nearly double where we were a decade ago. And it’s a 10% jump over t...
How to Maximize Cargo Capacity
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At a time when fleet expansion is an iffy proposition, adding additional carrying capacity to your existing fleet can lower equipment costs, increase ...
The State of Autonomous Vehicle Development
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where is the autonomous/self-driving truck industry today? How much longer will we have to wait for Level 4 to mature? What's the holdup? This e...
Navigating Battery-Electric Truck Charging Challenges
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s easy enough to buy a battery-electric truck, but fleets are being forced to wait up to two years for their chargers. Site design, permitting, a...
Bringing the Fleet Perspective to Self-Driving Trucks
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Former USA Truck CEO James Reed recently joined Kodiak Robotics as chief operating officer. What's the former fleet exec's perspective on self...
The Unanswered Questions About Electric Trucks
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's a lot more to adopting electric trucks than batteries and range, as HDT's Deborah Lockridge explores in this conversation with Hendric...
How Will EPA’s 2027 Ultra-Low-NOx Rule Affect Trucking?
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed some significant changes to its Safety Measurement System, which is how it prioritizes mo...
EPA’s 2027 Low-NOx Rules and the Coming Prebuy
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Truck and engine makers have less than three years to pull off a minor engineering miracle to meet EPA’s 2027 ultra-low-NOx rules. The stringent new...
UPS on its New Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks [Podcast]
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Electric and alternative-fuel vehicles aren't new to UPS, but the company recently took delivery of its first fully electric Class 8 truck, a Freightl...
How FMCSA Scores Carrier Safety is Changing
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed some significant changes to its Safety Measurement System, which is how it prioritizes mo...
Staying on Top of Automatic Tolling Costs
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Automatic electronic tolling is becoming more and more common. But a missed plate-read or other error can quickly add up to big bucks for trucking fle...
Does Hyliion’s Hypertruck ERX Beat BEVs at Their Own Game?
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When Hyliion’s natural gas-powered long-range ERX (electric range extender) Hypertruck hits the streets later this year, it’s expected to be margi...
New Company Uses AI to Train Autonomous Trucks
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's recently appeared that self-driving trucks are not going to be hauling freight down the road without a driver as quickly as some developers and i...
Meet Nikola's New CEO Michael Lohscheller
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nikola Corp. is not without its share of drama. Company founder and then-CEO, Trevor Milton, was convicted last fall on one count of securities fraud ...
Electrifying Transport Refrigeration: Overcoming the Challenges
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Come January 2024, most refrigerated truck fleets operating in California will need to have at least 15% of the fleet converted to fully electric refr...
Top Trucking Stories of 2022
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The editors of Heavy Duty Trucking, and hosts of HDT Talks Trucking, come together to talk about their top stories of 2022 in this special editorial p...
Is There a Diesel Fuel Shortage?
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Despite what you may have heard, no, we’re not running out of diesel fuel. But – low stockpiles do mean higher prices. In this episode of HDT Talk...
Smart Trailers and Beyond
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Smart trailers, the internet of things, cloud computing, APIs … if this all makes your head swim, this episode of HDT Leadership Insights explores h...
How Trucking Companies Can Up Their Cybersecurity Game
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Internet security analysts say the number of ransomware attacks ballooned by 105% in 2022 compared to 2021 — and 2021 saw a 61% increase over 2020. ...
How Data Can Help Fleets Navigate Today’s Challenges
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Explore some of the ways data can help you navigate some of the challenges facing trucking fleets, from fuel economy to downtime to parking. This epis...
Truckers Win Lawsuit Against Unlawful Fingerprint Scans
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Fingerprint scans, facial recognition, and vocal recognition are becoming relatively common in the trucking industry… and it’s leading to some law...
How Smart Suspensions Can Help Trucking Fleets With Today’s Challenges
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve heard about smart trailers and smart tires and even smart wiring harnesses — what about smart suspensions? This episode of HDT's Leadership ...
From Replacing Typewriters to Predictive Pricing
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
HDT Talk Trucking sits down with the founder of McLeod Software at the McLeod Software User Conference in Nashville to talk the progression of his tru...
Are Changes to ELD Rules in the Air?
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration contemplating changes to its mandatory electronic logging device rules — and what changes cou...
Plus on its Different Path to Autonomous Trucks
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last year, Plus began selling its PlusDrive Level 2 autonomous control system, positioning it in the market as an advanced driver safety/assista...
Behind the News: One Man’s Fight to Address Challenges Facing FedEx Ground Contractors
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Spencer Patton’s company is one of the largest FedEx Ground contractors in the United States — or it was, until his outspoken criticism of FedEx G...
Are Your Brakes Ready for CVSA's Brake Safety Week?
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance conducts two major brake inspection initiatives each year, and year over year, the brake defect out-of-service ...
Behind the News: The Broader Impact of California’s AB5
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you think California’s AB5 law won’t affect you because you don’t run in the state or use owner-operators, you might be surprised. Deborah Lo...
What a Visit to Cummins Tells us About the Future of Truck Engines
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cummins recently invited transportation journalists to Columbus, Indiana to discuss zero and near-zero emissions powertrain products it has in develop...
Behind the News: The End of the Owner-Operator Model in California?
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
News from the Supreme Court means the end of the owner-operator model as we know it in California – and it could have repercussions nationwide. &nbs...
Meet Cummins' New Natural Gas Truck Engine
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cummins is betting its new X15N 15-liter natural gas engine is going to change the market for natural-gas-powered trucks. HDT's Jim Park stopped by th...
The Future of Fuel & Driver Satisfaction: View from the Truck Stop
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just what would it take for a truck stop to offer charging for long-haul electric trucks? We talk to Delia Meier of the Iowa 80 Group and CAT Scale to...
Behind the News: Clean-Truck Trends from ACT Expo
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are the latest trends in the push to decarbonize the trucking industry? Is electrification the answer? HDT's editors share what they learned...
Successful Strategies For Post-Pandemic Driver Recruiting
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are your recruiting and retention teams keeping up with the changing truck driver job market? Learn more in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking's Leade...
Battery-Electric Isn't the Only Pathway to Zero-Emissions Trucks
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Battery electric is currently the dominant alternative to diesel discussed as the way to a zero-emissions future, but it’s not the only option. Jim ...
Using Data in Setting Fleet Sustainability Goals
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trucking fleets face more and more pressures to create strong sustainability goals. But how do you figure out the right goals for your operations? Thi...
Behind the News: A New Type of Engine?
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Get insights behind the top trucking news from April 2022 with HDT Editor in Chief Deborah Lockridge, Managing Editor Vesna Brajkovic and Equipment Ed...