A recent Fleet Lead roundtable brought together EndeavorB2B commercial vehicle editors from Trailer/Body Builders, FleetOwner, Fleet Maintenance, and Bulk Transporter to break down the findings of the American Transportation Research Institute’s latest “Costs of Trucking” report.

With marginal costs hitting an all-time high of nearly $2.40 per mile, the panel examines how fleets are navigating rising operational expenses, equipment aging, and shifting market dynamics.

Key insights from TBB Editor Kevin Jones include:

• Supply-side rate recovery: Jones observes that recent freight rate increases are not driven by a boom in demand, but rather a sharp reduction in industry capacity. He attributes this contraction in part to regulatory crackdowns on questionable driver training schools and dubious CDL certifications.
• The "artificial" pricing floor: Jones warns that equipment prices have been "artificially constrained" because manufacturers have been "eating a lot of inflation" just to maintain sales during the market slump. He notes that companies like Wabash will be looking to recoup those costs as demand returns.
• The 2027 EPA "wild card": He identifies the upcoming 2027 EPA NOx regulations as a massive disruptor. He anticipates a significant "pre-buy" cycle where fleets will rush to purchase current-model equipment to avoid the higher premiums and technological uncertainty associated with the new 2027 engines.
• Trade and tariff complications: Jones points to Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel, as well as ongoing trade disputes involving trailers manufactured in Mexico, as persistent upward pressures on equipment costs. He notes that these trade actions are shifting sourcing strategies toward domestic supply chains.
• Strategic procurement advice: His primary advice to fleet managers is to "get ahead of the rush". He argues that because equipment is aging—averaging 3.6 years—and prices are destined to rise, fleets should move forward with acquisitions now rather than waiting for the 2027 regulatory deadline

Watch the video at the bottom of this page, use the embedded player at the top, or find our EndeavorB2B Commercial Vehicle Group podcast on your favorite platform:

• • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podbean
  • Or search “The Fleet Lead” wherever you listen.

Episode timestamps:

• 00:58 - Driver quality and fleet retention
• 03:08 - Rising maintenance expenses
• 05:00 - Tanker carrier margins are improving
• 06:39 - Equipment cost increases and the prebuy
• 09:33 - EPA's regulations
• 13:08 - Material tariffs and antidumping
• 14:22 - Freight rate fluctuations
• 15:33 - Fleet age averages are up
• 20:15 - Tech and AI adoption
• 25:59 - What’s next/alt fuels