Podcast: Fleet experts look back at 2025 and what's ahead for trucking in 2026
In this episode of The Fleet Lead, the editors share what they saw and heard in 2025 and look ahead to 2026, discussing the economy, tariffs, non-English speaking drivers, and much more.
How will challenges like the freight recession and regulations impact 2026, and will trucking come out stronger due to the survival of the fittest fleets?
John Hitch, editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, moderated the panel, which included Josh Fisher from FleetOwner, Kevin Jones from Trailer Body Builders, and Jason McDaniel from Bulk Transporter.
Listen in the player below:
Timestamps:
- 1:07 - The never-ending recession
- 5:41 - Driver quality
- 8:15 - FET repeal: Pipedream?
- 11:37 - EVs on the backburner (Editor's Correction: I mispoke at 12:04 on cost of FCEV. In total, the hydrogen truck cost $150,000 after grants and tax incentives, not $300,000. The grants covered 90%, with 12% federal excise tax and 9% sales tax.)
- 15:25 - Tariff impacts
- 23:05 - Looking for a positive outlook
Predictions for 2026
- 32:57 - Josh Fisher: Autonomous trucking
- 33:51 - Jason McDaniel: No pre-buy & tech integration
- 36:25 - Kevin Jones: Market share shakeup
- 37:15 - John Hitch: AI tools
