FreightCasts

The battery landscape is shifting, and the stakes for domestic manufacturing have never been higher. In this episode of Truck Tech, host Thomas Wasson sits down with Dave Rubin, Head of Policy at Proterra, to unpack the complex realities of building commercial EV batteries in the U.S. From strict "Build America, Buy America" (BABA) compliance rules to the strategic use of friendshoring with allies like Japan and South Korea, they explore how federal mandates and tax incentives are reshaping the supply chain.

Tune in as they discuss:

BABA Explained: What does "Build America, Buy America" actually require for battery manufacturers? 

Supply Chain Realities: Can the U.S. move from buying "cookies" to making them from scratch, and where do we currently stand on raw material processing? 

Strategic Friendshoring: How partnerships with allied nations are helping bridge the gap while domestic capacity ramps up. 

Policy Impacts: The role of the 45X tax credit and trade policies in driving investment toward the U.S. "Battery Belt." 

Proterra’s Latest Moves: An update on Proterra’s integration with the Volvo Group and their new H223 high-energy density battery pack. 

Whether you're tracking the EV revolution or navigating the new rules of American manufacturing, this episode offers a deep dive into the policies powering the future of commercial transportation.

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In this update edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Malcolm Harris is back in the studio with a powerhouse lineup covering freight strategy, logistics tech, industry trust, and driver health — all in one jam-packed episode.

The show kicks off with a fast-moving global freight headlines roundup, breaking down what matters most right now: new Tennessee trucking legislation, volatile U.S.–Mexico cross-border trade dynamics, USPS parcel compliance changes, rising cargo theft risks, and the operational impact of Winter Storm Fern.

From there, Malcolm is joined by Rich Krul, Co-Founder and CEO of Hoplite Logistics, for a deep dive into building a modern brokerage the right way. Rich shares his journey through Coyote Logistics and Traffic Tech, why Hoplite invested early in infrastructure and tech, how they approach cross-border Mexico operations, and why reliability and “no-excuses” service still matter in today’s freight market.

Next up, Blythe Brumleve, host of the Everything Is Logistics podcast, joins the show to unpack what’s really happening behind the headlines. Blythe breaks down why so many companies are struggling to realize ROI from AI and automation, the importance of fixing internal processes before adding tech, why trust is more fragile than ever in freight, and how frontline workers are often left out of critical decisions.

Finally, Malcolm sits down with Dr. Brett Caminez for an in-studio conversation focused on driver and operator health. The discussion covers DOT physicals, posture and mental health, stress management, preventative care, and practical steps transportation professionals can take to stay healthy in a demanding industry.

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The trucking market is defying the typical post-holiday slump, with data showing high tender rejections instead of the usual January hangover. Rapid inventory contraction suggests shippers may soon rush to restock, keeping spot rates elevated.

However, this boom attracts "chameleon carriers" who utilize magnetic placards to swap identities and bypass safety regulations. Industry experts warn that recent federal notices downplay the severity of this rampant carrier identity theft

The problem is exacerbated by the rise of instant-issue insurance platforms, which have removed critical barriers to entry for dangerous operators. This lack of vetting coincides with a surge in nuclear verdicts, leaving the public exposed due to outdated [federal liability minimums].

Financial volatility is also hitting large asset-based carriers, leading the R&R Family of Companies to divest its logistics units to the CJK Group. This sale comes on the heels of the [sudden shutdown of Taylor Express], highlighting liquidity issues in the sector.

Competition is heating up elsewhere as the U.S. Postal Service begins soliciting bids from retailers to fill their last-mile delivery networks. By selling reserved capacity, the agency intends to [challenge private carriers] for e-commerce volume.

Innovation continues to reshape the landscape, demonstrated by autonomous railcars in Michigan that operate without traditional locomotives. This technology promises to make short-haul rail profitable, potentially luring freight away from trucks.

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In this episode, we break down new data revealing that organized crime rings are keeping cargo theft levels near record highs across North America. We discuss how these sophisticated groups are increasingly targeting rail corridors and exploiting security gaps during freight handoffs.

Next, we look at the Postal Service's bold strategy to transform its last-mile network by requiring retailers to bid for delivery space. Postmaster General David Steiner hopes this premium product approach will generate billions in revenue to help offset recent financial losses.

Finally, the Port of Long Beach is preparing for a massive cargo surge with plans to double container volume to 20 million units by 2050. Officials are fast-tracking nearly $2 billion in rail projects to triple capacity and turn the Southern California hub into a zero-emissions powerhouse.

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Recorded live at Trimble Insight 2025 in New Orleans, FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson sits down with Jonah McIntire, Chief Platform Officer at Trimble Transportation, for a wide-ranging and refreshingly candid conversation about AI, software, and the future of logistics work.

Jonah breaks down how Trimble operates at the “plumbing layer” of the supply chain, why tools like PC*MILER are still the industry’s ground truth, and why many past tech hype cycles—blockchain, visibility, buzzword AI—missed the mark. He doesn’t shy away from the hard truth: AI will eliminate back-office jobs, even as it radically increases productivity and reshapes how logistics companies scale.

The conversation dives deep into AI-written code, self-connecting systems, rewriting legacy software in days instead of months, and why Trimble is betting on AI colleagues—not just AI features. From creative destruction to AI agents interviewing for dispatcher roles, this episode offers a rare, inside look at how one of the largest supply-chain software companies is rebuilding for the next decade.

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In this high-stakes episode of Freight Expectations, Craig Fuller and Matthew Leffler pull back the curtain on the “incompetent” Forward Air and Omni Logistics merger, a deal so controversial it led to a courtroom showdown at the “Madison Square Garden” of corporate litigation. From exposing the “light audits” that kill M&A deals to debating the federal power grab behind autonomous truck laws, the hosts tackle the industry’s biggest power shifts. Stick around to find out if “self-certification” is a death sentence for road safety and why the fight against organized cargo crime is finally moving to the next level in D.C.

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In this episode, we analyze how Maersk’s decision to restart Red Sea transits is flooding the global market with capacity and driving down ocean rates. This shift could release significant tonnage back into circulation, effectively erasing the pricing power carriers gained during the disruptions.

Domestic markets are showing a strange contradiction, as the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index climbs even while shipment volumes hit cycle lows. This anomaly sits alongside sobering data showing that inflation-adjusted trucking rates have dropped 27% compared to 2020, leaving many carriers financially exhausted.

We also dive into the "stagecoach robbing era" of freight fraud, where digital identity theft allows criminals to steal billions without consequence. States are fighting back with measures like Tennessee Bill 1587, which proposes massive fines for employers who knowingly allow unlawful commercial vehicle operations.

Finally, the discussion turns to the Supreme Court battle involving Flowers Foods, which could fundamentally change labor liability by exempting last-mile drivers from mandatory arbitration. A ruling against the bakery giant may unleash a flood of class-action litigation regarding worker classification and pay.

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Host Alex Quarles opens the show with a look at a new Tennessee bill imposing strict penalties on carriers that employ undocumented drivers. The legislation mandates automatic notifications to federal immigration authorities and establishes a $1 million minimum in damages for accidents involving unlawful operators.

Federal regulators have halted consolidation plans as the Surface Transportation Board rejected the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger application for being incomplete. While rival railroads have praised the decision, the companies now have until February 17 to notify the board of their plans to submit the missing market share data.

Defying the usual post-holiday slump, the trucking market is holding steady in January with tender rejection rates hitting nearly 10%, the highest level since 2022. Spot rates remain elevated at $2.62 per mile as capacity tightens in key hubs like Chicago, signaling a strong start to 2026 for the industry.

Tune in this afternoon at 2 p.m. for a new episode of Loaded and Rolling with Thomas Wasson. Later today, catch the latest Freight Expectations featuring founder Craig Fuller and Armchair Attorney Matthew Leffler for more industry commentary.

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Host Malcolm Harris kicks off a high-impact 2026 episode covering the freight, logistics, and supply chain issues everyone in the industry is feeling right now.

Malcolm opens the show with the latest freight headlines — including Amazon last-mile closures, AI-driven DOT enforcement, major broker and carrier developments, and legal decisions that could reshape liability across the industry.

Then, the show dives into two must-hear expert conversations:

 Mark Becker, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of G10 Fulfillment, joins the show to break down the rapidly growing hazardous goods market. As one of the few Amazon-approved hazmat shippers in the U.S., Mark explains how lithium-ion batteries are transforming e-commerce, where brands often miss on compliance, how regulations are reshaping warehouse operations, and why cutting corners in hazmat shipping creates serious safety risks.

Danny Ramon, Director of Intelligence at Overhaul, returns to WHAT THE TRUCK?!? to unpack what’s really driving cargo theft in 2026. Danny covers strategic theft, fictitious pickups, physical security gaps, insider risk myths, and how overreliance on technology can create a false sense of security — plus what carriers, brokers, and shippers should audit right now to reduce exposure.

This episode covers:

If you work in freight, logistics, or supply chain security, this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? is a must-watch.

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In this episode, we explore the paradoxical freight environment of early 2026, where⁠ strategic cost management drives success⁠ for industry giants while others face immediate collapse. We analyze how J.B. Hunt achieved a Q4 earnings beat through internal discipline, even as the broader market offers mixed signals on demand.

The distress in the market is palpable, evidenced by the⁠ abrupt closure of Taylor Express⁠ that left drivers stranded without fuel or pay. We also discuss the layoffs at⁠ Smoky Mountain Logistics⁠, proving that even specialized Amazon partners are not immune to the industry's financial squeeze.

On the strategic front, we examine why⁠ Titanium Transportation is going private⁠ with a significant stock premium to escape the pressures of public reporting. The conversation also shifts to innovation, highlighting how⁠ RoadOne’s investment in the Tesla Semi⁠ demonstrates the growing viability of vertically integrated electric trucks.

Finally, we uncover the systemic regulatory failures surrounding the⁠ upcoming trial of Dartanyan Gasanov⁠, a key figure in the chameleon carrier network responsible for the tragedy that killed seven Marines. This segment serves as a stark reminder of the deadly risks that persist when unsafe operators slip through the cracks of federal oversight.

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