The road freight transport sector faces significant challenges in 2025. This article aims to decipher these issues and explore solutions to address them.


 

1. Major Challenges for Road Freight Transport in 2025 
 

Protecting the Planet

• Energy Transition: The use of electric, hybrid, or alternative fuel vehicles is essential. However, the cost and accessibility of charging stations remain significant barriers.

• Regulations and Standards: The European Union aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This goal necessitates substantial changes in the road transport sector.

Increasing the Number of Drivers
The shortage of drivers remains a critical issue for road transport.

• Shortage and Demographics: The sector suffers from an aging workforce and a lack of appeal to younger generations due to the demanding nature of the job, exacerbating the problem of workforce renewal.

• Working Conditions and Recognition: Difficult working conditions, long hours, and low job appreciation do not always compensate for the sacrifices made.

Initiatives to Attract Drivers
Numerous actions are underway to enhance the profession. In the meantime, leaders have already implemented solutions: 

▪Use of tachograph software (reduces errors and administrative burden). 

▪ Use of software for calculating meal allowances and travel expenses (facilitates expense management and provides clarity and visibility of travel costs).

▪ Use of transport software (improves decision-making and focuses on driving activities).

▪ Use of a Transport Management System (TMS) for road transport activities (enhances responsiveness to unforeseen events, better time management, real-time tracking).

Rising Costs
Transport companies face continuously increasing costs, including: : 

• Operational Costs: Rising fuel prices, maintenance costs, and infrastructure investments heavily impact profit margins.

• Administrative Burden: Time-consuming administrative tasks also affect operational efficiency. The tedious management of documents and regulations forces operators to dedicate valuable time to non-productive tasks.

Using a TMS (Transport Management System) Digitization and automation of administrative processes through TMS software are key solutions to alleviate this burden and allow operators to focus on their core business. 
 

More Parcels, More Traffic
The rise of e-commerce has transformed the logistics sector: : 

• E-commerce Boom: The exponential increase in orders generates an unprecedented volume of parcels, imposing new logistical demands.

• Traffic Management: The multiplication of deliveries, especially in urban areas, contributes to increased congestion and major logistical challenges in optimizing routes and delivery times.

• Infrastructure Adaptation: To address these challenges, investing in modern and connected infrastructure is crucial to streamline traffic and meet growing demand.

2. Solutions to Overcome These Challenges 

Investing in the Future
 Transforming constraints into opportunities requires investment as the primary response. 

•Fleet Modernization: Upgrading vehicles to more eco-friendly and efficient models reduces carbon footprint and optimizes energy consumption.

Innovating to Transform the Sector
Innovation is the driving force behind the transformation of road transport.

• Automation and Green Technologies: Developing, ensuring the reliability, and accessibility of autonomous trucks and using alternative fuels are strategic approaches to addressing environmental challenges.

Recognizing the Importance of Truck Drivers

• Improving Working Conditions: The job is demanding (long hours on the road away from family, etc.), so it is necessary to enhance working conditions to attract more drivers.

Changing Consumption Patterns and Supporting Drivers

•Awareness and Responsible Consumption: Growing awareness encourages consumers to prioritize local purchases and reduce returns, positively impacting the logistics chain.

•New Habits: By adapting their purchasing practices, consumers contribute to more efficient and sustainable logistics, facilitating traffic management and route planning.

By investing in modern technologies, innovating in automation, and changing our consumption patterns, it is possible to transform these challenges into opportunities. Sector stakeholders, decision-makers, and consumers all have a role to play in building a more sustainable and efficient future.