Can you believe the first quarter of 2022 is already almost over? Wow, what a year it has been already. We came out of a global pandemic and into a supply chain crunch and land war in Europe. Can we catch a break? That’s why smart fleet managers pay close attention to the latest in trucking trends to determine how they should run their fleets.
That’s why we wanted to devote this week’s blog post to covering the latest trends in work truck technology and design. The trends we cover today might not necessarily be new trends, but they do represent magnifications of trends we have discussed in the past. So, what will the rest of 2022 bring in work truck tech? Let’s dive in!
Class 3 – 6 EV Technology Matures
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Class 8 EV technology, with companies like Nikola and Tesla going all in on long-haul EV trucking technology. Still, there is a long way to go before that technology matures. There is far more opportunity right now in lower classes.
OEMs are now moving in the direction of producing EV chassis and electric Class 3 delivery walk-in vans. Many expect deliveries of these vehicles to begin as soon as the third or fourth quarter of this year. Even Freightliner has gotten on the bandwagon with its announcement of their new Class 5 electric delivery van. Many big OEMs are leveraging established manufacturing and coast-to-coast delivery networks to service EV infrastructure from launch to procurement.
Still, in the race to market, a great product is only the beginning of the process. To truly break into the market, OEMs must put together the essential pieces around sales and service. Without having the backbone of dealership support in place, sales and service will inevitably fall behind and adoption will stall.
EV OEMS Look to Increase Manufacturing Flexibility
It takes a heck of a lot of money to make an EV auto plant operational while getting practically no cash flow from vehicle sales. Many startups focusing on EV technology discover this the hard way. Yet, there are ways to get around this problem. EV auto plants have been innovating by focusing on electronics contract manufacturing as EV sales ramp up.
For independent manufacturers, scaling production is critical to their survival. Established CMV OEMs find it easier to shift into EV manufacturing at existing facilities, whereas new entrants must create processes, procedures, and procurement plans entirely from scratch.
Fortunately, new technologies make it easier than ever for them to do so. From automated manufacturing techniques to robotic design and machine learning, OEMs are getting creative in how they fund their operations while maintaining an effective supply line and keep customers in the know on when their deliveries will be made.
Internal Combustion and Aerodynamics Innovation
With all the attention on EV vehicles, it is important to remember that internal combustion engines still make up the majority of commercial motor vehicles currently in use and in production. Fortunately, OEMs are still making incremental improvements to performance and fuel economy. Small gains like this matter, as many work truck applications are better suited for internal combustion engine vehicles. This also helps companies realize their sustainability goals.
The industry has also come a long way in the area of lightweighting and aerodynamics. Because when it comes to electrifying work trucks, the batteries weigh quite a bit. This makes light, aerodynamic bodies more important than ever. Some OEMs are engineering a new box with foam core panels and lightweight sidewalls, instead of steel and aluminum. While the materials are more expensive, the changes in weight save money on fuel in the long run.
Aerodynamic improvements to side skirts, cab fairings, and wheel covers have also come a long way. Plastic vortex generators mounted on the trailer sides also improve airflow. New designs reduce drag by a whopping 8%. And don’t expect to see ugly sidewall rivets anymore. OEMs are creating new designs to account for changes in the work truck marketplace.
Cameras Evolve with the Times
With so many trucking companies focusing on safety, “situational awareness” has become a new trucking industry buzzword. New systems include cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence. All these new systems are designed to alert truck drivers to road hazards and mitigate dangerous or distracting behavior. And while this has been a developing trend for years, using digital rearview mirrors, new 360-degree bird’s eye cameras and monitors mounted in the truck body change the game.
In fact, one of the most sought-after improvements requested by large van customers is better visibility around the truck. Vendors answer the call by adding advanced safety features not conceived of even a decade ago.
The explosion of last-mile delivery services have also accelerated the trend towards new vehicles and ergonomic improvements. And while much of the action is around smaller vans, which can be driven by non-CDL drivers accustomed to passenger cars, other last-mile vehicle types have seen a lot of attention. Consider that last-mile truck drivers make over 100 stops a day, so even small process improvements can make a big impact on the efficiency of deliveries.
Some OEMs are even investing in innovative delivery doors that open by themselves. This way, a truck driver with his or her hands full can manage to get in and out of the truck with the package without requiring a delicate balancing act to open and close the door. Automatic slide doors also keep truck content cool without having to open or close a swing door.
More Innovations in Telematics
Ongoing trends in telematics continue to change the landscape for trucking companies. New factory-installed telematics on Class 6 – 8 work trucks help these trucks communicate with proprietary services on the platform. Open architecture prevents interoperability issues from hobbling the truck’s performance. Many OEMs are creating dozens of telematic partner integrations.
Other vendors offer integrated vehicle data transmitters that communicate directly with ELDs and fleet management software systems. Fleet managers gain access to a unified dashboard that allows them to scroll through a portfolio of apps and integrations from third parties.
Expect to see more factory integrations soon, from ongoing partnerships between telematics providers and major automakers. Even car rental companies like Hertz are getting in on deals to provide telematics to their entire fleet of work truck rentals.
EV Pickups Gain Steam
Even electric pickup trucks for work applications are grabbing attention. From the Chevrolet Silverado EV to the Ford F-150 Lightning and Lordstown Motors Endurance. With deliveries of the F-150 Lightning beginning this spring, the EV pickup truck wars are heating up! Even the Ram electric 1500 is on the horizon, with a scheduled release of the 2024 model.
But how do these pickup trucks stack up against each other on paper? Specs can differ widely between work truck models. Will the electrification of the pickup fleet result in unforeseen consequences on the jobsite? From trim levels to battery configurations, trucking procurement officials will need to ensure due diligence. This way they get the right truck the first time, every time.
Also, it is important to remember that spec-to-pricing comparisons for new EV work trucks still involve a lot of different variables. From dealer markups to how much you must pay beyond base price to achieve the performance and capabilities you need. These are all important considerations.
Are you a fleet manager considering upgrading your fleet or adding new capabilities? Keep an eye on the latest trends and make sure the technologies you select apply to the operations of your fleet. The last thing you want is to invest in technologies you do not need or do not fit to the type of truck driving your company does.