industry insights

Tires affect everything from fuel economy to vehicle safety, and different types of trucking applications and operating environments require specific tire designs that align with operational demands. Tire selection can also depend on organizational goals, such as improving fuel economy or reducing weight.

Chris Hough, vice president of maintenance design and engineering at Penske Truck Leasing, recommends that fleets identify their top priorities, such as fuel economy, run-out mileage or traction, and then talk to their suppliers about the options that meet their needs. "Understand that there may be tradeoffs, so it's key to understand those up front," he said.

Tire selection can drastically impact a fleet’s maintenance and running costs. “It can impact how much you spend on fuel and how often units are in the shop, reducing your uptime,” Hough said. “On the flip side, the wrong size can increase your fuel consumption or cause premature removal for irregular wear, increasing your maintenance costs.”

Choosing the right tire is only part of the process. “If you don't maintain the tire properly by managing air pressures properly and dual mating, all the engineering and technology that went into making the tire the best for your application will go to waste,” Hough said.

Regular inspections for signs of damage, irregular wear and tread depth are essential. Proper tread depth affects safety and handling and can help prevent a roadside violation. Penske recommends replacing tires before they reach the minimum tread depth requirements set by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Penske's pull points are 5/32 and 3/32, while the DOT requires 4/32 for steer tires and 2/32 for drive and trailer tires.

Tire pressures are a critical factor in tire performance and lifespan. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption, while overinflated tires are more susceptible to punctures and uneven wear.

Additionally, misaligned wheels and imbalanced tires can accelerate tire wear and decrease fuel efficiency. Ensuring proper wheel alignment and balance during routine maintenance checks helps extend tire life and promotes even wear across all tires.

“At Penske, we view tire management holistically and as a key focus of our maintenance program,” Hough said. “We consider more than just the invoice price for the tire. We believe it is also important to consider the quality of service from our partners and see the tire as an investment, not just a part.”

Robust, well-maintained batteries are essential for the proper performance of Class 8 trucks. Battery failures can lead to costly downtime, delayed deliveries and driver inconvenience. Spec'ing the right batteries, maintaining them and replacing them before a failure occurs can ensure batteries are reliable and performing as they should.

“Batteries only have so many cycles, which is how many times they can be drained and charged,” said Chris Hough, vice president of maintenance design and engineering at Penske Truck Leasing.

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can severely impact battery performance. Cold weather, in particular, can reduce a battery’s cranking power, while high temperatures can accelerate internal wear.

“High temperatures will reduce the number of cycles the batteries are capable of, leading to a shortened life span. Aside from that, I attribute a lot of wear to poor recharging and maintenance,” Hough said.

Getting Ahead of Issues

To help reduce the risk of battery failures, Penske Truck Leasing specs Thin Plate Pure Lead – Absorbed Glass Mat (TPPL AGM) batteries. With TPPL AGM batteries, fluid is absorbed in glass mats, so it doesn’t degrade the plates as quickly. “It is a higher quality battery,” Hough said. “They tend to last longer and take a little more abuse than our wet-cell battery.”

Penske has also transitioned to a 300-amp alternator. A 300-amp alternator can maintain the proper voltage levels even under high load conditions, helping to avoid the deep discharges and sulfation that often lead to premature battery failure. It also provides more current, allowing batteries to recharge more quickly, which is beneficial if the truck has heavy electrical loads from auxiliary systems or in-cab electronics that drain the battery faster.

Maintaining Batteries and Electrical Systems

Implementing a battery/electrical system maintenance program is essential to the systems’ health. “Periodically testing the batteries and cleaning and treating battery and electrical connections is vital to reducing unscheduled downtime,” Hough said.

As part of proactive battery maintenance, technicians connect an adequate charger to the battery pack when the vehicle is in for maintenance or service. “They also do a proper cleaning of cables and terminals and ensure proper routing of battery and accessory cables,” Hough explained.

Batteries don’t operate in isolation. They’re part of a truck’s larger electrical system, which also requires maintenance. Technicians regularly check alternators and charging systems and inspect wiring. "A systematic test of the electrical system's health can pinpoint an area of concern needing deep inspection or diagnostics,” Hough said.

Because batteries can be temperature-sensitive, they may need extra attention as temperatures drop. “If you have a good year-long approach, you will ideally align that normal maintenance prior to the colder months of the year to reduce the risk of downtime or needs for jumpstarts/service,” Hough added.

Testing Batteries

Testing batteries on a regular schedule helps technicians address potential issues before they cause failures. Load testing reveals the battery’s ability to sustain power under load conditions. If the battery doesn’t maintain adequate voltage during the test, it may need to be recharged, repaired or replaced. Voltage testing can reveal a battery that is undercharging or self-discharging, which could lead to a battery failure.

Battery testing is typically done by physically connecting a voltmeter or load tester to the battery, but new technology is making it easier for techs to get information from batteries. “We are testing batteries with an embedded chip that tracks various aspects of battery health and performance,” Hough said. “You can get a lot of information that can optimize battery maintenance and replacement schedules.”

Spotting the Warning Signs

A dead battery makes it clear that the battery needs attention, but Hough said there are warning signs. “Underperforming starting or charging system is an early indicator that a battery may fail,” he explained. “This could show up to a driver or a technician as long crank times, dim lights or underperforming accessories.”

Rising costs, labor shortages and a challenging operating environment have put immense pressure on fleets to optimize operations and increase efficiency. Benchmarking is a vital tool for companies to compare their performance and critical metrics to industry standards and similar operations to uncover opportunities for improvement and gain a competitive advantage.

Metrics To Monitor Include:

Fuel Efficiency: When even pennies per gallon add up, the cost savings from increasing fuel economy and minimizing fuel consumption become significant. Benchmarking fuel costs can help fleets determine if they’re above the industry average and then delve into contributing factors, such as driver behavior, poorly maintained vehicles or the wrong vehicle specs, and implement corrective measures.

Fleet Utilization: Fleet utilization — the extent to which trucks or trailers are being used relative to their total capacity or availability — is a key performance metric in transportation and logistics. Reviewing utilization rates can help maximize efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Maintenance Costs and Effectiveness: Effective maintenance reduces unexpected breakdowns, extends vehicle lifespan and ensures compliance with safety regulations. High maintenance costs or frequent breakdowns may indicate inefficient processes or the need for vehicle replacement. Metrics could include breakdowns per 100,000 miles and average vehicle downtime.

Cost Per Mile: Fleets’ average cost per mile includes all operating expenses, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, driver wages and overhead. The cost per mile can vary by truck or operating area. Tracking it and comparing it to industry averages or competitors can help identify trends in operational expenses, allowing fleets to dig into and correct issues that may be driving it higher. Knowing the cost per mile is also critical for setting rates.

Empty Miles: Empty miles represent lost revenue opportunities and higher operational costs due to unnecessary fuel usage and vehicle wear. Reducing empty miles improves profitability and resource utilization. Solutions can include optimizing routing and dispatching or sourcing backhauls.

Revenue Per Truck: Measuring total revenue generated by each truck over a specific period can help fleets uncover performance disparities, identify underperforming assets or operations, and determine which areas to optimize.

Driver Turnover: High turnover increases recruiting and training costs, disrupts operations, and can negatively affect customer service. Monitoring turnover helps fleets identify and address issues related to driver satisfaction.

​Benchmark Effectively

Historically, the freight industry has relied on static forecasting and metrics, such as static KPI reporting and comparisons of the fleet to static industry averages. There are several valuable industry reports, including the National Private Truck Council’s Benchmarking Survey, American Trucking Association’s (ATA’s) Driver Compensation Study, and the ATA Technology & Maintenance Council’s North American Service Event Benchmark Report.

While these reports are valuable, they limit fleets’ ability to create benchmarks that are exactly matched to their operations. Fleets are inherently distinct. They operate in all kinds of conditions. They are spec'd differently, and there are different kinds of vehicles, which means it can be challenging to get an apples-to-apples comparison using reports alone.

Penske’s fleet benchmarking tool powered by Catalyst AI™ allows fleet managers to measure key performance indicators and compare their fleets to create comparisons to their own fleet over time, while creating dynamic comparisons to similar operations and equipment. It looks at comparisons across fuel efficiency and vehicle utilization.

Catalyst AI leverages artificial intelligence, advanced machine learning algorithms and Penske’s rich data set to enable fleet managers to evaluate true fleet performance, allowing them to gain accurate, real-time fleet comparisons and make decisions with greater precision and accuracy.

It processes 57 billion data points, with 200+ million new data points added to the fleet dataset daily. It also synthesizes thousands of variables into digestible key performance indicators and diagnostic metrics, helping fleets uncover the root cause of their performance. More than 300 models run simultaneously to deliver the insights and actions that help drive real change and impact

Try Catalyst AI for free today.

Fluctuating freight demand, changes in federal regulations and shifts in capacity can create uncertainty, and many shippers are turning their attention in-house and establishing private fleets.

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The trucking industry is constantly experiencing dynamic shifts in capacity. Consumer demands, economic trends, supply chain disruptions and regulatory changes can all affect supply and demand for trucking services. The fourth quarter often experiences a surge as retailers meet increased holiday demands.

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Safety is critical in the trucking industry. A robust safety program not only keeps drivers and cargo safe but also reduces the risk of an accident, ensures compliance with regulatory standards and keeps operations running efficiently. Leasing can be a cost-effective strategy to enhance a company’s safety program.

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Safety is a critical concern for fleets and professional drivers, and onboard safety technology is a powerful tool to enhance drivers’ ability to control a motor vehicle, improve reaction times, reduce liability and even help control insurance costs.

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Keeping equipment running is essential for fleets, and mobile maintenance services can increase efficiency by performing on-site services, repairs and inspections at a fleet's location. Bringing the shop to the equipment can save time and make scheduling preventive maintenance and needed repairs easier. A robust maintenance program increases safety and reduces the risk of breakdowns or unscheduled repairs, which keeps equipment moving and boosts driver satisfaction.

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Battery electric vehicle adoption has surged, as 2023 sales nearly doubled 2022's delivery volume, with more than 26,000 buses, trucks and vans delivered. "The State of Sustainable Fleets 2024 Market Brief" found that deliveries of Class 8 battery electric tractors grew six-fold, from more than 100 to nearly 700 units. Other sectors, including trucks and vans, also experienced significant growth.

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Regular maintenance is critical to equipment safety, reliability and efficiency. It helps fleets and drivers prevent mechanical failures, avoid roadside violations and maintain uptime. However, maintaining equipment can be complex, requiring significant investments in tooling, training and labor.

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The trucking industry is facing increased costs from nearly every angle, including labor, interest rates, equipment expenses, insurance and more. Although operational costs per mile are trending upward, the freight market remains soft, making it difficult for fleets to raise rates. As a result, fleets have to focus on managing costs.

There are several ways fleets can increase efficiency and optimize their expenses.

Spec the Optimal Vehicle: Spec’ing the right vehicle for the application is critical. It improves overall efficiency and fuel economy while also reducing operating costs and the risk of mechanical failures. Utilizing data (including information from the engine control module such as average trip speed, the gear ratio and engine horsepower) can give fleets insight into how a vehicle is utilized.

Increase Fuel Efficiency: Fuel is one of the top costs fleets experience, and even pennies per gallon add up. Increasing fuel efficiency and minimizing fuel consumption create significant cost savings. Advanced engine technologies, such as improved combustion efficiency, reduced friction and optimized gear ratios, can improve fuel efficiency. Transmission technologies, such as automated manual transmissions (AMTs), can also enhance fuel economy by ensuring the engine operates in its most efficient range. Additionally, certain tires, such as low-rolling-resistance tires, can drive further fuel efficiency savings.

Focus on Aerodynamics: The aerodynamic design of a truck significantly impacts fuel economy, and EPA-verified aerodynamic devices can save fuel by minimizing aerodynamic drag and maintaining smoother airflow. The North American Council for Freight Efficiency has identified dozens of technologies and best practices to improve freight efficiency.

Use Quality Fuel: The energy content of the fuel directly impacts fuel efficiency, and fuels with higher energy content release more energy when combusted. If there are issues with fuel such as contamination, a low cetane rating or high sulfur, the fuel economy can drop.

Cut Down on Idling: An idling Class 8 truck can consume one gallon of fuel each hour and create more wear and tear on the engine. NACFE reported that the average truck idles about 1,000 hours a year, and the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that each year, long-duration truck idling consumes one billion gallons of fuel. Auxiliary power units — whether battery or diesel-powered —reduce idling, which reduces fuel consumption, increases engine life and improves driver comfort.

Reduce Downtime: Downtime due to equipment issues can create direct and indirect costs for fleets. Proactive preventive maintenance can help fleets address issues before they become significant problems.

Increase Back-Office Efficiency: Licensing vehicles, completing fuel tax reporting and complying with Department of Transportation audits can be complex processes. Tapping into a third party that can provide support can help free up back-office staff within the fleet while ensuring all requirements are met.

Let Penske Help

There are several ways leasing with Penske can help fleets increase efficiency and manage costs. To learn more about how Penske can help you spec the right vehicle, get ahead of fuel costs, improve maintenance, and streamline regulatory compliance, contact us today.

Electric powertrains, cleaner-burning diesel technology and alternative fuels are continuing to improve, and original equipment manufacturers, shippers and carriers are all moving toward net-zero goals, according to the fifth annual State of Sustainable Fleets report.

“If I had to really sum up the report for this year, there’s one word that comes to mind: growth,” said Erik Neandross, president of GNA, which produced the report. “Over the last 30 years, the market has had ups and downs, but over the 30-year period, the markets have grown 1,000%.”

While discussing the report in his keynote speech at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas, Neandross said that announcements about new, clean technologies are “seemingly nonstop.” He added that challenges remain, including costs, the amount of power available on the grid and infrastructure needs.

“We know it is not going to be easy. We know it is not going to be cheap, and we know it isn’t going to be a straight line quarter after quarter,” Neandross said.

Even still, OEMs are as committed as ever, and fleets are investing in new solutions. Neandross said the three big drivers are massive global investments in clean technology, growing commitments around sustainability and carbon reductions, and regulatory requirements. “We have a couple of really critical regulations that were adopted that are going to accelerate our move forward to lower carbon fuels and zero-emission vehicles in every sector: light, medium, heavy,” he explained.

Fuel and technology growth included:

Renewable Diesel: The national consumption of RD increased by 68% year over year, according to the report. Renewable diesel is considered a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can be used as a direct replacement for diesel fuel in diesel engines. Most consumption occurred in the West Coast states. The report found that 75% of fleets currently using RD would buy it in greater quantities if they could access it without additional cost, and 63% have asked their providers about the option.

Natural Gas: Fleet demand for natural gas increased again in 2023, concentrated among existing users. Additionally, more than 150 new renewable natural gas production facilities came online in 2023. The growth helped sustain CNG prices and helped them be competitive with other fuel choices. The demand for RNG among fleets also grew for the third consecutive year.

Electric Vehicles: More than 26,000 battery-electric trucks, vans, and buses were delivered to fleets in 2023, doubling since 2022. Cargo vans and pickup trucks made up 90% of those deliveries. Tractor deliveries grew sixfold, from more than 100 to nearly 700 units, while volumes doubled in virtually all other sectors. The State of Sustainable Fleets report found that at least 39% of the fleets surveyed in every sector reported using BEVs in 2023, the highest use rate across the five leading clean drivetrains for fleets.

Hydrogen: Growth of hydrogen in 2023 was spurred by federal investments in hydrogen production and infrastructure, notably the Department of Energy’s allocation of $7 billion to seven proposed fuel production and distribution hubs spanning 16 states. It will be several years before the H2 hubs meaningfully impact fuel price and supply, but the program is expected to reduce the risk for investors exploring hydrogen fuel and vehicle production. Major OEMs pursuing the hydrogen space include Kenworth, Peterbilt, Toyota, Hyundai and Nikola.

Diesel Technology: Fleets purchased about 7% more commercial trucks in 2023 than in 2022, signaling an upswing in demand as fleets rush to purchase new trucks before the EPA’s MY2027 heavy-duty engine standard kicks in. Estimates suggest this standard could raise diesel vehicle costs by approximately 12%.

Overall Energy Solutions

Charging infrastructure gaps and delays dominated discussions in 2023. Reliable access

to sufficient power is crucial to the success of any private or public charging facility, and

electrical service has become the make-or-break element of the first depot-sized projects, according to the report.

During the event, Penske Transportation Solutions and ForeFront Power announced their new joint venture — Penske Energy — to help commercial fleet operators plan, design and deploy optimized EV charging infrastructure capabilities that support and safeguard their operations.

Penske Energy will provide fleet operators with comprehensive EV charging and energy infrastructure advisory consulting, including strategic and operational planning, technology assessment, infrastructure designs and practical project implementation.

“We’ll work with our longstanding supplier partners in the energy and energy infrastructure sector and bring to bear the best possible solutions available for our commercial fleet customers,” said Drew Cullen, senior vice president of fuels and facilities at Penske Transportation Solutions.

Available Technology

Penske Truck Leasing has a wide range of low- and zero-emission solutions available today, including CNG, battery-electric and late-model diesel vehicles as well as renewable diesel. Learn more by contacting us today.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 14-16, and the agency has said inspectors will focus on tractor protection systems. Specifically, inspectors will look at the tractor protection valve, trailer supply valve and anti-bleed back valve, which CVSA said are critically important vehicle components but may be overlooked during trip and roadside inspections.

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Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, also called ADAS, are designed to augment driver capabilities and enhance safety. They also have the added benefits of increasing driver comfort and improving the overall driving experience.

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Innovation, research and development of commercial vehicle technology continue to increase, and there has been an unprecedented wave of private investment, public funding and policy focus across the commercial transportation sector, bringing more sustainable solutions to fleets.

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You leave your truck for the night and return the next morning. In between, anything could happen. How do you know your vehicle is still in tip-top shape? You won’t unless you conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection.

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Fuel theft is a significant concern for trucking companies, leading to financial losses, increasing business costs and potentially disrupting operations. Fuel theft can happen in various ways, from drivers misusing company fuel cards to criminals installing skimming devices at fuel pumps to capture payment card information, which they then use until a fleet manager deactivates the card.

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Original equipment manufacturers are constantly developing new technology, safety enhancements and comfort features, and running late-model equipment can give fleets a competitive advantage. Benefits of new OEM technology include:

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As a professional driver, you face countless challenges on the road, and you can’t anticipate them all. But here’s one that’s totally within your control: keeping your cargo safe and secure.

Proper cargo securement is more than just making sure every item in your trailer or flatbed is tied down. It also involves achieving the right balance. When your cargo is evenly distributed, you’ll avoid the risk of load shifting. It’s a serious problem that makes a truck difficult to drive. It can even cause a truck to roll over.

A few ways to secure your cargo and prevent load shifting:

  • Sweep out your trailer so you start with a clean floor.
  • Inspect all securement devices (tie-downs, ratchet straps, chains, binders, cargo nets) for signs of wear and tear. Replace any damaged tie-downs and be sure to always carry more than needed just in case a replacement is needed while on the road.
  • Check the working load limit (WLL) of your tie-downs so you don’t overstress them.
  • Inspect the load you’ll be hauling. Look for the weight (which should be listed on the bill of lading) and length of your cargo.

As you load

  • Use the right number of tie-downs. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommendations call for:
    • One tie-down for items that are 5 feet long or shorter and weigh 1,100 lbs. or less
    • Two tie-downs for
      • Items that are 5 feet long or shorter and weigh 1,100 lbs. or more
      • Items that are longer than 5 feet but shorter than 10 feet
    • Use additional tie-downs for every extra 10 foot of length
    • Unsure of how many tie-downs to use? Add an extra tie-down or two to be extra cautious.
  • Make sure all securement devices are tight but not too tight—they should snap like a rubber band.
  • Use edge protectors to prevent straps from damaging your cargo.
  • Secure any rolling cargo with chocks, wedges or cradles.
  • Distribute your load as evenly as possible and try to secure cargo to fixed points inside your trailer or on a flatbed.

As you drive

  • Inspect your cargo within the first 50 miles, then every 3 hours, 150 miles or at change of duty. Make sure nothing has shifted or moved. Tighten any loose tie-downs.
  • Drive safely. Take tight curves slowly. Avoid harsh braking. Slow down in inclement weather.

Remember, proper cargo securement is the driver’s responsibility. Take the time to balance your load, drive safely, and check your load in transport to keep you and your cargo safe.


Cargo theft spiked last year, with thieves becoming more strategic and targeting high-value loads.

“The motives and the way the criminals are operating has changed, and cargo theft is increasing tremendously,” said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at CargoNet, a Verisk company.

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