Consumption of gasoline and diesel also hit their record highs in 2005, with a daily average 9.2 million barrels of gasoline (up 1% from 2004) and a daily average 4.1 million barrels of diesel (up 1.6% from 2004) consumed.

10. Truckers don't care all that much for fuel economy - especially owner/operators who should know better. Outside of fleet sales, the aerodynamic trucks don't sell very well, and Western Star still sells a crapload of flat-nose, steel-cab rigs (everyone else, even Peterbilt, uses aluminum for the bodywork). Truckers still buy trucks on looks, rather than economy or reliability. Only Kenworth has had any success with their aero-styling, mostly because they made it look like a retro design. (Meanwhile, Volvo is generally popular with businessmen who can do math, sadly a minority among the small and independent players in the shipping industry)

So, anytime you hear an owner/operator crying about how hard it is to make a living, bear in mind that he's more than likely burning away his profit margin with an inefficient, unreliable rig.

The Talk of the Industry—1985-1987
In 1985, Kenworth rolled out a truck which changed the industry forever. Called the T600A, the truck was a sloped-nose conventional with a set-back front axle—a combination which gave drivers the comfort of a conventional and the maneuverability of a cabover.

Not only was the T600A sleek looking, it was also incredibly aerodynamic. The T600A cut through the wind like no other truck before, saving customers up to 22 percent on their fuel bills. Testing showed an aerodynamic improvement of 40 percent when compared to the company's W900 conventional.