The automotive industry has had a long and winding road to reducing emissions and environmental impact, and perhaps some of the biggest changes this coming year will be seen in the commercial trucking industry. Consumer cars have been trending towards electric and hybrid for some time, but we’re really only just starting to see the widespread adoption of alternative fuels for commercial vehicles.

Aside from the debate of electric, hybrid, or gas, companies can expect changing regulations to push them towards other improvements. For instance, emerging tech can help a fleet cut down on idling and other inefficiencies that stand in the way of achieving green standards.

While it’s unlikely that any big regulation is going to take effect in 2022 that would drastically change the lives of truckers, it is essential that companies remain aware of the green trend and begin taking steps to reduce their environmental impact through a combination of technologies and upgrades. It can seem like a hassle, but at the end of the day, it’s a goal that we all need to get behind.

Smart technology has found its way into every industry, and trucking is no exception. Smart tech can help support drivers with better routing, automated reporting, and other features–but it also stands to bring increasing connectivity and trackability to fleets and customers.

Consumers have long expected to be able to track their orders, knowing when their package goes from one shipping facility to the next on its way to the final destination. Increasingly, companies have had similar expectations for their cargo, wanting to see exactly where a load is at and when it’s expected to arrive.

By tracking trucks and the loads they’re carrying, the industry expects to offer better delivery timeframes, fewer delays, reduced theft, and a myriad of other benefits. All the while, companies are gaining more insight into their supply chain logistics in a way that will help fleets better communicate with truckers to keep everyone on the same page.

Some truckers earn less than the average American, yet they’re truly the backbone of our economy. In 2019, trucking companies began reducing their rates to keep customers coming through the doors, and they lowered truckers’ pay as a result.

Next year, many are predicting a market flip whereas the industry is going to see an upswing in jobs, partly thanks to new developments. That could mean a pay increase for truckers as they continue to be in high demand. That’s great news for truckers, but it also means that companies need to be on the lookout for changing transport costs in the coming year.

With record high eCommerce sales and other changes driving the economy, these trends are going to have a direct and continuous impact on how busy truckers will be throughout 2022 and beyond. However, it might not have as big of an impact on long-haul truckers as it will on “gig truckers,” or those working for last-mile delivery platforms like Uber Freight.

The consumer shift towards same-day, ship-from-store delivery will require an increasing number of delivery drivers willing to make local trips, often on-demand rather than as part of a normal route. That’s great news for truckers looking to supplement their salary or for drivers who want to avoid long-distance travel.

With all of these exciting changes in mind, perhaps the best thing we can do is remember to take every shift in stride. It can seem awfully scary for anyone in the industry as they listen to rumors of rising fuel costs, restricting regulations, and other news that can spell profit loss for truckers and companies alike–but it’s important to stay positive and avoid sensationalism.

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