Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech • Hacker News Board

Re: Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech

#21

Post by AlotOfReading » Sat, Jul 26, 2025, 4:42 AM UTC

BizarroLand wrote: post #6

jillesvangurp wrote: post #4

The future of trucking probably involves neither truckers and nor any fuel. Battery electric trucks are already taking over. And autonomous driving trucks without a driver seems like it is a matter of time. That eliminates the two most expensive cost factors in trucking. Of course this won't happen overnight. But it will probably be happening faster than some might expect. Cost saving potential is going to be the mai…

Within a margin of error, yeah. LTL (Less than load) will probably still have human drivers for high value time sensitive materials, but most things should be loaded onto a train and hauled close to their destination where a short truck can pick up from the train yard and haul the last few miles to the customer. Of course, if we spent the money to build a few high speed cross country trains we could save so much mone…

How many countries use HSR for freight around the world? From what I understand, it's literally 0 right now.

Re: Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech

#22

Post by jillesvangurp » Sat, Jul 26, 2025, 6:59 AM UTC

barney54 wrote: post #9

jillesvangurp wrote: post #4

The future of trucking probably involves neither truckers and nor any fuel. Battery electric trucks are already taking over. And autonomous driving trucks without a driver seems like it is a matter of time. That eliminates the two most expensive cost factors in trucking. Of course this won't happen overnight. But it will probably be happening faster than some might expect. Cost saving potential is going to be the mai…

Battery electric trucks aren’t ready for over over-the-road trucking. They hardly even make sense for drayage currently.

In Europe, China, Australia, etc. they are being widely used. Long distance trucks from the likes of Volvo are being sold as fast as they are being produced. The US is running a bit behind the rest of the world here.

Electrically propelled trucks are commercially available in every weight class, form factor, etc. that you can name. Companies selling those are doing brisk business and dealing with waiting lists for their products.

They are ready and good enough right now. I think the US (assuming you are basing your opinions on what's happening there) has some unique challenges of being a bit change and technology resistant. And of course it being a petro state is causing lots of misguided policy and incentives that are actively holding it back.

Re: Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech

#23

Post by jillesvangurp » Sat, Jul 26, 2025, 6:59 AM UTC

bombcar wrote: post #5

jillesvangurp wrote: post #4

The future of trucking probably involves neither truckers and nor any fuel. Battery electric trucks are already taking over. And autonomous driving trucks without a driver seems like it is a matter of time. That eliminates the two most expensive cost factors in trucking. Of course this won't happen overnight. But it will probably be happening faster than some might expect. Cost saving potential is going to be the mai…

Is the electricity meaningfully cheaper?

Yes, even when diesel is subsidized with trillions in debt.

Re: Trucking's uneasy relationship with new tech

#24

Post by _DeadFred_ » Sat, Jul 26, 2025, 4:43 PM UTC

bongodongobob wrote: post #12

_DeadFred_ wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if we will see trucker on self driving truck violence during the switchover. My bet is yes. I think this will be the first space where those replaced physically fight back.

People won't be fired. Hiring will just slow. It won't be overnight and it won't be quick.

To truck drivers that own their own trucks I think 'fired' and 'just slow due to self driving' is a distinction without a difference.