The milestone reflects the company’s long-term investment in alternative fuels and its focus on reducing diesel dependence while providing customers with measurable emissions data. By operating trucks fueled by renewable natural gas, Paper Transport reports lifecycle carbon emission reductions of up to 90 percent compared with traditional diesel equipment. Those reductions directly support customer Scope 3 emissions reporting, an area of growing importance for shippers.

“We don’t just run natural gas trucks, we build strategic, dedicated partnerships that make sustainable freight real,” said Jared Stedl, Paper Transport chief commercial officer. “Our ability to exceed this goal is only possible because of our customers, who are invested in long term emissions reduction.”

Natural Gas Infrastructure and Fleet Support

The availability of natural gas fueling infrastructure continues to play a key role in supporting fleet adoption across multiple regions. Wisconsin ranks among the top states for compressed natural gas fueling locations, with 44 public CNG stations.

Other states with significant CNG infrastructure include California with 318 stations, Oklahoma with 99, Texas with 95, Pennsylvania with 72, Florida with 59, and Georgia with 49. Nationwide, the total number of stations reached 1,385 dispensing CNG and 81 dispensing liquefied natural gas by the end of last year, according to The Transport Project.

Dedicated Partnerships Drive Results

Paper Transport attributes its progress to seven long-term dedicated partnerships with major shippers in the retail, packaging, and consumer packaged goods sectors. These relationships allow the carrier to build consistent lane density while embedding alternative fuels directly into shipper transportation networks rather than relying on offsets.

Since beginning its natural gas investment strategy in 2010, the company has logged more than 84 million cumulative natural gas miles. That transition has displaced approximately 13.6 million gallons of diesel fuel while supporting expanded lane density across the Midwest, Southeast, and Southern California.

Company leadership says the focus remains on measurable outcomes and transparent reporting for shipper partners.

“Reducing emissions in freight takes more than fuel; it takes commitment,” said Tyler Ellison, Paper Transport chief executive officer. “We’re proud to provide a proven model for shippers who want to embed sustainability into their transportation, not just their marketing decks.”

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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The Real Cost Per Mile: Beyond the Basics

The ATRI report shows that in 2024, the average cost to operate a truck landed at $2.260 per mile. At first glance, that’s a hair lower (by 0.4%) than the previous year—thanks mostly to a dip in fuel prices. But every fleet manager and driver knows the real story’s in the details. Strip out the fuel, and you’ll see non-fuel costs actually surged 3.6%, with an all-time high of $1.779 per mile.

Where the Money Went

• Fuel & Repairs: Took a breather, giving budgets some short-term relief.
• Driver Wages: Edged up just 2.4%, trailing inflation and well behind earlier post-pandemic jumps.
• Truck & Trailer Payments: Climbed a hefty 8.3%, now at a record $0.390 per mile—equipment costs are something you simply can’t ignore.
• Driver Benefits: Bumped up 4.8% to $0.197 per mile, reflecting rising healthcare and support expectations.

Profit Margins: Crunch Time for the Industry

It was a year of tight margins across the board. The ATRI report notes that average operating margins barely scraped 2% in most sectors, while the truckload industry saw an average margin of -2.3%. On the bright side, less-than-truckload carriers (LTL) managed to keep in the black. For both drivers and managers, careful budgeting and efficient route planning were more critical than ever.

The Shifting Workforce: Who’s Driving the Change?

The average age of a truck driver is now 47, with many seasoned pros eyeing retirement and fewer younger folks stepping forward. Women make up just 4.1% of the workforce, a number gradually ticking upward.

What the Report Recommends:

• Get creative with recruitment: connect with younger generations using fresh messaging and tech.
• Consider historically underrepresented applicants, including former foster youth and those re-entering the workforce.
• Focus on retention by making the job appealing, equitable, and supportive.

Sustainability & Compliance: Keeping It Green and Legal

ATRI updated their go-to resources this year:

• Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium: Practical, driver-tested ideas to run greener—without sacrificing your schedule or profits.
• Idling Regulations Compendium: Your state-by-state guide to keeping things legal and avoiding unnecessary fines. Being up to date is simply good business.

Action Steps & Friendly Reminders

• Check your line-item costs often. Small increases add up, especially in equipment and benefits—review routinely and adjust where you can.
• Mind the workforce trends. Whether you’re hiring or driving, diversity and development aren’t just buzzwords—they’re business advantages.
• Leverage free resources. Visits to ATRI’s updated regulatory and sustainability guides can save you headaches and boost your bottom line.

Want to dig even deeper? Download the full ATRI reports for more details and strategies perfect for today’s trucking professionals:

• 2025 Operational Costs Report
• Idling Regulations Compendium
• Sustainable Freight Practices

Keep your wheels turning smart, and stay safe out there.

Source: ATRI

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