The CDL industry is at a crossroads, facing significant challenges just as new regulations loom on the horizon. On one hand, the state of New York grapples with the requirements to transition to electric semi trucks, yet lacks the necessary infrastructure to support this ambitious move. On the other, workforce development is set to ramp up with new training programs aimed at filling the substantial demand for skilled drivers.
New York has adopted the "Advanced Clean Trucks" (ACT) regulations, which go live on January 1, 2025. This legislation mandates the sale of zero-emissions commercial vehicles, but, currently, the state has yet to install any electric semi truck charging stations. The Trucking Association of New York met on October 17 to discuss this pressing issue, where industry leaders expressed their frustrations over the lack of support to facilitate this significant transition.
Kendra Hems, president of the Trucking Association of New York, emphasized the predicament: "We do not have infrastructure in the State of New York to support the use of these vehicles." The average electric heavy truck has about 280 miles of operational range, and with zero heavy-duty chargers available throughout New York, the rollout of this initiative seems precarious at best. The NYDEC acknowledged the concerns, stating their commitment to facilitate the transition, mentioning plans to propose new regulations with extended compliance timelines.
Ironically, as New York struggles with its cleaner transportation goals, opportunities for new drivers are increasing elsewhere. Announced recently, Ancora Education expands its CDL Training: Class A Tractor Trailer program at Miller-Motte College's Raleigh, North Carolina campus. The program is crafted to provide local residents with the necessary skills to obtain their commercial driver licenses and work within the steadily growing transportation industry.
Molly Carney, Executive Director at Miller-Motte College, voiced the significance of this program, "Our CDL program is a short-term path preparing students for the CDL: Class A licensing exam." With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting about 100,000 annual job openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers over the next decade, programs like these aim to meet burgeoning industry demands. The Miller-Motte program kicks off on February 3 and February 22, 2025, for day and weekend sessions, respectively.
On another front, there have been notable developments within the tech sector supporting the CDL industry. Spokane Valley-based CDL PowerSuite, noted for its software solutions aimed at truck driving schools, announced its acquisition of Tribe Media Lab SPC. Following this acquisition, Andrew Hite, Tribe Media's co-founder, steps in as the new CEO of CDL PowerSuite, marking what Hite referred to as an "acquihire."
This move signals CDL PowerSuite's commitment to enhancing its offerings and capabilities, and it reshapes the company’s focus moving forward. "It was probably inevitable... he would buy our company," Hite remarked, referencing how the two organizations have worked closely over the years.
With the acquisition, CDL PowerSuite now boasts 21 employees and anticipates revenues of $4 million for 2025, reflecting growth from $2.7 million last year. This growth underlines the importance of adapting to remain competitive and meet the needs of the market, which Hite stressed: "But we really want to focus on building out the team and culture for the sustainability of the business model itself."
Overall, the CDL industry is faced with significant hurdles, not just from regulatory pressures, but also from the need to cultivate skilled professionals ready to take on roles within the sector. The situation demands swift action from states like New York to address the infrastructure deficiencies and momentous opportunities from educational institutes like Ancora to rise to the challenge of equipping the workforce. The coming years will prove pivotal for the industry as it navigates through these changes, balancing sustainability with the pressing demand for drivers.