Route optimization is usually high on the list of distributors’ operational priorities, but many facets to the process are often overlooked.

Net-zero emissions is the name of the game, at least that’s the ideal that most engine manufacturers hope to achieve at some point by the middle of this century. For now, they’re all making incremental improvements to ensure that their systems run cleaner, greener and leaner.

As certain styles of craft beer and functional beverages require special, climate-controlled handling in the last mile, demand for refrigerated trailers is on the rise.

By and large, the overall movement continues to be toward rear-load bulk delivery for beverage fleets. As such, liftgate innovations will remain in lockstep with this shift.

This year, electric technology dominates the 2022 new truck releases. The report also provides updates for more traditionally fueled vehicles ― which still make up the vast majority of delivery trucks on the road.

Sideload bodies for non-CDL truck chassis are driving a small comeback in light of the current driver-recruitment crisis.

Beverage fleets for light delivery and field sales applications are becoming a popular target for electrification. As a result, some of the top OEMs have either released commercial electric vans in the past couple of years or have recently announced plans to do so in the very near future.

When delivering to accounts in the city, beverage delivery trucks must navigate heavier traffic, narrow streets and pedestrians. To save on carbon emissions, battery-electric trucks serve as a solution in urban areas.

Vehicle OEMs recognize the power of incentivizing current and prospective drivers and are updating their offerings to accommodate the comfort of an evolving workforce.