The Greening of Trucking

The Greening of Trucking is a Political Ploy

Much of my email in the past week consisted of press releases disguised as news articles regarding carriers slowing down trucks. If the news reports are to be believed, the major carriers are concerned about becoming more 'green' in their operations. If I sound less than impressed with these announcements, its because I realize some things the casual reader would have no way of knowing.

The idea major carriers are slowing down to 'go green' is a ridiculous title for these articles as the issue is simple financial and political expediency. The Greening of trucking is a political ploy designed to convince some in Congress to look favorably on other issues these carriers want addressed to squeeze a few more cents per mile out of the system. No one disagrees that the price of diesel is far too high and that there is no good reason for it. That said, fuel subsidies negotiated into nearly every load pay the vast majority of the increase on loaded miles. In fact, in many situations the high price of diesel actually makes money for the carrier which contracts to haul the load. In effect, the higher the price goes, the more nearly the fuel surcharge alone can pay for the entire cost of fuel.