Top 5 Trends in the Trucking Industry in 2025
Published:May 12, 2025
4 min. read
You can’t know the future of the economy or your business as a business owner — but you can look at common trends and make educated predictions. Examining industry trends from year to year can provide valuable insight into the future of an industry and help you be more successful in the future. Whether that means the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the challenge of driver retention, or adaptation to increased trade tariffs. Take a look at the Top 5 Trends in the Trucking Industry in 2025 and plan ahead for the future.
Key Trends in the Trucking and Freight Industry in 2025
Trucking and freight companies in 2025 are faced with a number of challenges and trends that are and will continue to shape the industry this year and into the future. Technology is a common theme when you examine these trends with AI and automation leading the way.
Here is a deeper look at key trends in the trucking and freight industry:
1. Increased Use of AI and Technology
Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic in the trucking and freight industry. This technology along with advanced Transportation Management Systems (TMS) — like TenTrucks TMS — and Electronic Logging Devices (ELD), have become a standard in the industry. As the technology continues to grow and develop, you can expect to see an increase in its use in 2025 and beyond. AI is a valuable tool for trucking companies, improving route optimization and load management when paired with a TMS platform, and ELDs will help trucking companies better track shipments and monitor fleet operations.
2. Changes to Regulations and Trade Policies
The trucking industry is subject to trade and environmental regulations — and those regulations have an impact on how companies operate. Tariffs will continue to shape the trucking and freight industry as new trade deals are made, with the potential to lead to reduced freight volume and increased costs. Environmental regulations are another factor that will impact the trucking industry — forcing companies to be more efficient. The Environmental Protection Agency’s 2027 Clean Truck Rule put in place to reduce emissions is still expected to be implemented in the next few years and may still be revised at the federal level, making it even more important for companies to monitor changes to regulations and policies.
3. Increase in Autonomous Trucking
Autonomous trucking has been a topic of conversation in the freight industry for years and is expected to grow in 2025 and beyond. The global market for autonomous trucks was valued at $39.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $42.9 billion in 2025 with projections set at $86.8 billion for 2032. The technology for autonomous trucks continues to develop and improve and is expected to lead to increased use in the future. Autonomous trucking — while a popular idea — is still met with apprehension due to safety and regulatory concerns.
4. Increased Use of Electric and Zero-Emissions Trucks
Electric vehicles have been a growing trend in the automotive industry for years — and a growing trend in the trucking industry. Battery-electric commercial trucks are expected to represent 17% of commercial truck registrations in 2025 with the potential to grow to 43% by 2030. With the growth and development of battery-electric vehicles and increased environmental regulations, the rise of electric and zero-emissions trucks will continue to be a trend in the trucking industry.
5. Increase in Trucking Industry Jobs
Driver retention has been a consistent challenge for the trucking and freight industry. With an aging workforce and a constant drive to improve driver retention, the trucking industry is faced with a surplus of available truck driver jobs. Trucking will always be a crucial element of the economy in the United States, constituting an estimated 72% of the country’s freight transportation. This provides viable career options for qualified drivers in 2025 and far beyond.
READ MORE: Why Choose a Cloud-Based Transportation Management System?
Industry trends can be a good indicator of the future for many businesses and a better understanding of those trends can help you plan for the future and success. This list of Top 5 Trends in the Trucking Industry in 2025 may help point you in the right direction.
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