Nov 10, 26

Trucking Is Still Under Pressure—So Why Are Fleets Planning to Grow?

This article is based on reporting originally published by FleetOwner and Bain & Company.

The freight market has been challenging for a while, with weak demand and rising operating costs putting pressure on trucking companies. So here's an interesting question: why are so many fleet operators planning to buy more trucks?

According to Bain & Company's 2026 US Truck Study, 79% of the 210 fleet operators surveyed expect their fleets to grow over the next 12 months, with more than a third anticipating growth of 10% or more. That's a surprisingly optimistic outlook considering the economic challenges still facing the industry.

FleetOwner's latest industry analysis helps explain the contrast. The U.S. has nearly 3.5 million registered tractor-trailers, but those trucks traveled 1.6% fewer miles in 2024 than in 2023. Weak manufacturing, slower housing construction and high borrowing costs continue to weigh on freight demand, making it difficult for carriers to predict when business will improve.

Yet fleet expansion isn't always about having more freight to haul today. Bain points to aging equipment, expectations of recovering demand and rising fuel costs as reasons operators are considering new investments. For some carriers, replacing an older truck with a more efficient model could be as important as adding capacity.

And when it comes to buying trucks, operating costs are becoming harder to ignore. Bain found that 70% of surveyed operators identified fuel prices as their biggest operational challenge. Fuel efficiency, reliability and total cost of ownership were among their leading purchasing priorities, with more than a third willing to switch truck manufacturers for better economics.

Technology is also influencing those decisions. Around 67% of respondents said they would consider a Tesla Semi if conditions such as charging infrastructure were in place, while 73% are evaluating autonomous technology. That doesn't mean fleets are ready to replace diesel trucks overnight, but it shows how operators are exploring different ways to manage costs and prepare for the future.

For truckers, owner-operators and equipment sellers, the findings offer an interesting look at where the market could be heading. Some fleets may be preparing to expand while others focus on replacing aging equipment or improving efficiency. The next question is whether freight demand will strengthen enough to support those investment plans.

Trucking companies are still dealing with a difficult freight market, but Bain's survey suggests many operators are looking beyond today's conditions when making equipment decisions.

The focus isn't simply on buying more trucks. It's on finding equipment that can operate more efficiently, cost less to maintain and make financial sense over the long term.

The real question now is—

with today's freight market and operating costs, would you invest in another truck right now or wait for conditions to improve?