Key trucking industry statistics and trends for fleet managers

The trucking industry is changing. As technology advances and the demand for electric vehicles increases, transportation trends are shifting fast. This guide covers the top trucking industry statistics for 2025 and beyond — from freight market growth to driver shortages and EV adoption

Over 60% of fleets using Geotab's decarbonization tools reported reduced emissions, highlighting the potential for technology to drive positive change. Driven by advancements in electric vehicles, increased workforce and rising market value, the trucking industry is set to be stronger than ever, with projected growth over the next six years. 

What does the trucking industry forecast look like for 2025?

The trucking industry is currently worth a whopping $2.2 trillion globally and $532.7 billion in the U.S. The trucking industry forecast shows it's projected to grow at a rate of 5.4% with a value of $3.4 trillion by 2030.

1. The freight trucking market in the U.S. is estimated to reach $532.7 billion Open in new window.
 

2. The global market for freight trucking is estimated to reach $2.2 trillion Open in new window.
 

3. Trucking accounts for $940.8 billion in gross freight revenue Open in new window in the U.S.
 

4. The freight trucking market is projected to reach $3.4 trillion by 2030 Open in new window, growing at a rate of 5.4%."
 

5. Forty-two percent of fleet professionals believe customers will demand more fleet sustainability initiatives in the next one to three years.
 

6. Ninety-six percent of U.S. trucking fleets operate 10 or fewer trucks Open in new window, and 99.7% of U.S. carriers operate 100 or fewer trucks. 
 

7. Trucks transported nearly two-thirds of the value of goods traded Open in new window between the U.S. and Canada.
 

8. Trucking revenues account for 80.7% of the U.S. freight bill Open in new window.
 

9. Heavy-duty electric trucks are expected to account for less than 7% of the electric truck market Open in new window in 2026, mainly due to costs.
 

10. Driver wages reached $0.798 per mile in 2024 Open in new window, a 2.4% increase over 2023.   
 

11. Total marginal costs reached $2.260 per mile in 2024 Open in new window
 

12. Employment of truck drivers is projected to grow 4% by 2032 Open in new window.
 

13. Trucking supports 8.4 million jobs Open in new window, up 405,000 in 2023.
 

14. EV adoption amongst Geotab-connected fleets is slowly increasing, with adoption being much higher in Europe at an average of 2.03% of total fleet vehicles vs. 0.45% in North America.

15. The global market for AI fleet management software was valued at $5.2 billion in 2024 Open in new window and is projected to reach $14.4 billion by 2030.

What are the vehicle trucking statistics?

While cargo and Class 8 trucks seem to dominate the road, the trucking industry is a complex ecosystem of diverse vehicle types with varying gross vehicle weights. Understanding the entire spectrum, from light-duty trucks to heavy haulers, is crucial for grasping the industry's full scope and impact.

16. There are 14 million single-unit trucks Open in new window in the U.S., accounting for 5% of all registered vehicles.
 

17. 11.46 billion tons of freight Open in new window is moved by U.S. trucks annually.
 

18. Trucking accounts for 72.6% of total domestic freight tonnage Open in new window.
 

19. Light-duty trucks have a fuel efficiency of 19.5 miles per gallon Open in new window.
 

20. The average annual mileage for trucks is 9,800 miles Open in new window.
 

21. In the first quarter of 2024, 113,169 commercial trucks were sold, a 4.1% decline Open in new window from the previous year.
 

22. Class 8 truck sales fell by 14% Open in new window compared to the previous year.

23. Truck inflation rose by 3.4% in 2024 Open in new window, with fleets facing continued high truck payments in 2025 and 2026 due to financing from 2022 purchases.
 

With thousands of trucks on the road each day, understanding road crash statistics is crucial. Since large trucks account for nearly 10% of fatal traffic crashes, implementing a robust fleet safety program is essential to protect drivers and other motorists on the road. 

What are the truck safety statistics? 

24. The trucking industry invests $14 billion Open in new window in safety measures annually.
 

25. Large truck collisions cause 5,936 fatalities Open in new window annually, some of which are due to drowsy driving.
 

26. Large truck collision fatalities increased by 2% Open in new window compared to the previous year.
 

27. Large trucks account for 9.6% of all fatal traffic collisions Open in new window in the U.S.
 

28. Seventy percent of fatalities Open in new window in large truck collisions involve occupants of other vehicles.
 

29. Seventy-six percent of fatal large truck collisions occur on weekdays Open in new window.
 

30. Large truck drivers are less likely to have previous license suspensions Open in new window than drivers of other vehicle types.
 

31. Large truck drivers are more likely to have previous crashes Open in new window compared to drivers of other vehicle types.
 

32. Fifteen percent of large truck occupants Open in new window weren't wearing seatbelts in fatal crashes, with a 40% fatality rate compared to 8% for those wearing seatbelts.
 

33. Only 3% of large truck drivers Open in new window involved in fatal crashes are the result of alcohol impairment.
 

34. Geotab-Connected Commercial Vehicles see a global average improvement of 17.45% in millions of miles driven prior to a collision.
 

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What are the truck driver statistics?

The trucking industry is a cornerstone of the trade economy, employing a vast workforce that keeps goods moving across the world. With 3.54 million drivers hauling 11.46 billion tons of freight annually in the U.S. alone, the job outlook for truck drivers looks promising for 2024 and beyond.
 

35. There are 3.54 million drivers employed Open in new window in the U.S. trucking industry.
 

36. There are 324,200 truck drivers employed in Canada Open in new window.
 

37. Truck driver employment increased by 1.5% Open in new window from the previous year. 
 

38. Women represent 8.1% of truck drivers Open in new window, marking a seventh consecutive annual increase.
 

39. Truck drivers earned an average hourly wage of $31.20 Open in new window in June 2024.
 

40. The average annual wage for truck drivers is currently $73,147 Open in new window in the U.S., up from the median $54,320 Open in new window in 2023.
 

41. There are 922,854 independent owner-operators Open in new window in the trucking industry.
 

42. Owner-operators comprise 11.1% of the truck driver workforce Open in new window.
 

43. Just 15.3% of CDL holders are Hispanic or Latino Open in new window, compared to 24.4% of the general U.S. labor force.
 

44. CDL holders reported higher rates of potential disabilities Open in new window, particularly hearing and ambulatory difficulties, than the U.S. labor force overall.

What are the electric trucking industry statistics?

With diesel semi-trucks contributing a staggering 18% of U.S. vehicle emissions, the need for cleaner alternatives and autonomous trucks arises. While electric trucks currently represent a small portion of the market, the industry is experiencing rapid growth. Valued at $5.92 billion in 2025, the electric trucking industry is projected to soar to $38.76 billion by 2032.

45. Diesel semi-trucks contribute 18% of U.S. vehicle emissions Open in new window.
 

46. Transitioning to zero-emission trucking could prevent 66,800 premature deaths, 1.75 million asthma attacks and 8.5 million lost workdays Open in new window by 2050.
 

47. Electric trucks offer a 13% lower total cost of ownership per mile Open in new window compared to diesel, with battery prices at $135/kWh.
 

48. Electric heavy-duty trucks cost over three times more Open in new window than diesel counterparts.
 

49. Class 8 electric trucks can save $200,000 over 15 years Open in new window compared to their diesel counterparts.
 

50. The EV trucking market grew from $3.99 billion in 2024 to $5.92 billion in 2025 Open in new window, a compound growth rate of 48.4%.
 

51. The EV trucking market is projected to grow to $38.76 billion by 2032 Open in new window.
 

52. EV battery costs are expected to drop to $40-60 per kWh Open in new window by 2030.
 

53. The 50-250 kWh battery capacity Open in new window segment dominates the EV trucking market.
 

54. North America's electric truck market accounts for $3.9 billion in revenue Open in new window.
 

What are the trucking industry challenges?

As severe driver shortages loom, over 3 million positions are left unfilled globally. This crisis is exacerbated by an aging workforce and a relatively low number of young drivers entering the industry. 

The demanding nature of the job, coupled with rising operating costs including $2.26 per mile for fuel, maintenance and other expenses, poses significant challenges for over-the-road trucking companies.

55. Driver-related costs were cited by 85% of truckers Open in new window as a top industry challenge.
 

56. Insurance costs and liability were ranked as the second biggest industry challenge by 66% of truckers Open in new window.
 

57. Globally, only 12% of drivers are below 25 Open in new window, and just 6% are women.
 

58. Driver shortages are forecast to double in 5 years globally Open in new window.
 

59. Currently, over 3 million unfilled truck driver positions Open in new window exist globally.
 

60. Trucking operating costs decreased by 0.4% in 2024 to $2.260 per mile Open in new window, driven by a 13% drop in fuel costs (ATRI, 2025)
 

61. Repair and maintenance costs decreased 2.0% to $0.198 per mile Open in new window

62. Truck drivers are at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular diseases Open in new window due to their sedentary lifestyle.

How can fleet managers use data to grow their operations? 

Based on these trucking industry statistics, it’s clear that the industry is continuing to grow, but not without challenges. Fleet maintenance, compliance and data tracking are critical areas that significantly impact a fleet's efficiency and profitability. By leveraging advanced technologies and data-driven insights, fleet managers can optimize operations, reduce costs and improve driver safety.

As one of the best fleet management software programs, Geotab offers a comprehensive solution to tackle the challenges of fleet growth. Our fleet management platform provides real-time visibility, predictive maintenance and compliance tools to help you streamline operations and make data-driven decisions.

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