Electric Trucks Solve Driver Shortage at Michigan Fleet

Michigan-based Benore Logistics just cracked a code that's been stumping the trucking industry for years. When the company started adding electric trucks to its 700-vehicle fleet, job applications didn't just increase. They got better.

"Candidates are asking about our battery electric and hydrogen trucks during the hiring process," says Joan Benore, vice president of the third-party logistics company. For some applicants, the sustainable fleet is the reason they apply at all.

The trucking industry has been hemorrhaging drivers for years, making recruitment one of the biggest headaches for fleet operators nationwide. But Benore discovered that going electric delivers benefits far beyond fuel savings and lower emissions.

Younger drivers especially are drawn to the technology built into electric trucks. Safety features like lane-change alerts and automatic braking appeal to safety-conscious candidates. The simpler driving experience seals the deal.

"You press the pedal and it just goes," explains Eric Bettencourt, who trains drivers on PepsiCo's Tesla Semi fleet. "There's no shifting, no rough transition between gears, even going up hills. Once I train people on electric, they don't want to drive anything else."

The preference isn't surprising when you consider what drivers experience behind the wheel. Electric trucks operate far more quietly than diesel rigs, creating a less stressful work environment. The smooth acceleration and regenerative braking reduce physical fatigue during long hauls.

Major fleets including Schneider, Martin Brower, Estes, and PepsiCo are seeing the same pattern. Drivers actively prefer electric models when given the choice.

The Ripple Effect

This shift is creating a positive feedback loop that extends beyond individual companies. As more fleets adopt electric trucks to attract talent, the entire industry inches toward cleaner operations. Drivers who start their careers on EVs carry those expectations forward, accelerating the transition away from diesel.

The competition for green-minded drivers is pushing companies to invest in sustainable technology faster than regulations alone might have achieved. What started as an environmental initiative is becoming a business necessity for companies that want to attract the next generation of professional drivers.

For Benore, most of the fleet still runs on diesel, but the company is expanding its alternative fuel operations as part of a long-term strategy. The investment signals to potential hires that the company is planning for the future, not just maintaining the status quo.

The message to other fleet operators is clear: sustainability isn't just good for the planet or the bottom line anymore. In a tight labor market, going green might be the competitive edge that keeps trucks staffed and rolling.