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Freight trucking has always embraced continuous improvement although the general public may be largely unaware of the tremendous changes that have occurred to date in vehicle safety, efficiencies, emissions mitigation and asset utilization. Today’s freight industry is in the early stages of dramatic technological advances in areas such as connectivity, automation and electrification. Fleet and manufacturer perspective on these transformational technologies are universally supportive, driven both by economic and regulatory factors. The early stages of these technological revolutions are characterized by a multitude of competing concepts confusing choices, complicated by a significant number of competing vested interests obscuring objectivity, and clouded by billions of dollars of venture capital. The objective of this report is to provide unbiased insight into the freight industry’s thoughts on these transformational technologies.

This report provides an overview of recent technical solution adoption rates by fleets from detailed fleet surveys. Manufacturers’ contributions in terms of technology development, cost reduction, durability and refinement will also be discussed. OEM vehicle integration and product line offerings (standard, optional, and post-production upfits) are shared. All of this background will set the stage for a review of the proposed Greenhouse Gas Phase 2 regulations, the technologies expected to be utilized to meet the targets, and the hurdles the industry must successfully clear for profitable fleet use in commercial vehicle freight transportation. Fuel efficiency has always been important to fleets and as fuel costs have risen, a plethora of fuel efficient technologies have emerged. The industry also cares about sustainability and emissions reductions and now Greenhouse Gas regulations exist to further encourage development, integration and adoption of such technologies.

International Truck and Engine Corporation introduced a new line of High Performance trucks based on its next generation medium duty platform in February 2001. The new 4000 series that reached full production in April 2001 was the first in a series of models based on this platform to be introduced over the next two years. The new platform will replace all but the heaviest trucks in International's lineup. Even though the primary focus of International's next generation product is addressing the needs of the owners, drivers and maintainers of the truck, the new product is also a key enabler for the execution of International's business strategies of cost and complexity reduction. Integral to the attainment of internal objectives was International's ability to develop products on a common platform to serve across fairly diverse markets.