Top 5 Trucking News Today: Record Diesel, Tesla Semi Goes High-Volume and a RICO Suit Against Two Mega-Brokers (September 28, 2026)

Here are the five trucking stories carriers, brokers and owner-operators should know about today. Fuel costs, autonomous and electric trucks, and a major lawsuit against two of the country’s largest freight brokers lead the list.

1. Diesel Hits a Record $6.529 as Washington Debates Export Limits

The U.S. average on-highway diesel price climbed to a record $6.529 per gallon for the week of September 21, according to EIA data. That is 24 cents higher than the week before and about $2.78 above the same week last year, when diesel averaged $3.749.

Last week the administration sent mixed signals on diesel exports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said officials were examining whether a full or partial export ban would be workable, but the White House later said no flat ban is being considered, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the focus is on getting more diesel into the U.S. market. Business and oil industry groups warned that an export ban could backfire and push prices higher.

Why it matters: Fuel surcharges on many contracts are now close to $1 per mile. Spot carriers who quote all-in rates are absorbing most of the increase, so it is worth checking every quote against current fuel cost before accepting a load. The next EIA weekly diesel price is due on September 29.

2. Tesla Semi Enters High-Volume Production in Nevada

Tesla launched high-volume production of its Class 8 battery-electric Semi last week at a dedicated 1.8 million-square-foot factory in Sparks, Nevada. Tesla says the plant is designed to build up to 50,000 trucks a year.

The Standard and Long Range versions are rated at about 325 and 500 miles of range at 82,000 lbs. Tesla says the factory builds its own batteries, drive axles and other major components in-house. Days before the launch, the ZET SCALE industry alliance picked Tesla as primary supplier for up to 2,500 electric trucks, an order that would nearly double the number of electric Class 8 trucks on U.S. roads.

Why it matters: With diesel above $6.50, the cost gap between electric and diesel trucks looks very different than it did a year ago. Charging infrastructure and real-world uptime will decide how quickly fleets actually switch.

3. Six Family-Owned Carriers File a RICO Lawsuit Against C.H. Robinson and TQL

Six family-owned trucking companies, Stevens Trucking, Western Flyer Express, Freymiller Trucking, IWX Motor Freight, Christenson Transportation and E.O.S., filed a federal racketeering (RICO) lawsuit last week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against C.H. Robinson and Total Quality Logistics.

The carriers allege the two brokers routinely tendered freight to chameleon carriers and other non-compliant operators at rates that legally operating fleets cannot match, which they say drives down prices for the whole market and makes highways less safe. C.H. Robinson rejected the allegations, saying all the carriers it works with are authorized by the federal government and meet additional safety standards. TQL had not commented at the time of reporting. These are allegations, and the court will decide the case.

Why it matters: The case puts broker carrier-vetting practices under a legal spotlight, at the same time FMCSA is working on new broker qualification standards. Brokers of every size should expect more questions from shippers about how they check the carriers they use.

4. Aurora Targets 30,000 Driverless Trucks by 2030

At its Analyst and Investor Day, Aurora Innovation said it expects to finish 2026 with about 200 driverless trucks in operation, more than 1,000 by the end of 2027, and more than 30,000 by 2030.

Much of that growth is planned through a “Driver as a Service” model, in which carriers own and operate the trucks and pay Aurora per mile for the self-driving system. Aurora says its driverless trucks already run at an annualized rate of more than 225,000 miles each, roughly double a typical truck. Hirschbach has committed to 500 trucks under this model, with deliveries starting in 2027.

Why it matters: Autonomous trucking is moving from test programs to business plans. Werner, which is in talks with Aurora, has said the economics still have a gap to close, so the pace of adoption will depend on cost per mile, not just technology.

5. States Join the Federal HOS Waiver for Fuel Haulers

On September 16, FMCSA issued an hours-of-service waiver for drivers hauling gasoline and diesel, giving them more driving time to keep fuel moving during the current supply squeeze. The waiver runs through December 16 and invites states to offer the same relief for intrastate trips.

Montana has now extended the same rules to intrastate fuel haulers through December 16. Nebraska signed two 90-day orders for agricultural haulers: one allows untaxed dyed diesel without state penalties, and the other allows trucks carrying seasonal crops and livestock to run up to 25% over legal weight limits without extra permits.

Why it matters: Fuel carriers get more flexibility, but all other safety rules still apply. Drivers operating under the waiver should keep a copy of it in the cab and confirm whether their state has adopted it for intrastate runs.

The Bottom Line

Fuel is the story of the week. Record diesel is squeezing carrier margins, prompting emergency relief for fuel haulers and making alternatives like electric and autonomous trucks look more attractive. At the same time, the lawsuit against C.H. Robinson and TQL shows that the debate over who is allowed to haul freight, and at what price, is moving into the courts.

Neal’s Take

Record diesel is the number one issue for every carrier right now, and I would not accept a spot load this week without first checking the real fuel cost for that lane. Electric and autonomous trucks are getting serious investment, but for most small fleets they are still a few years away, so cost-per-mile discipline matters more today than any new technology. The lawsuit against C.H. Robinson and TQL is built on allegations that the court will have to decide, but it raises a fair question for the whole industry: how carefully are carriers checked before they get a load? Better vetting protects honest carriers, brokers and shippers alike.

— Neal Cvetkovski, Founder of LOAD TIDE. Personal opinion, not legal or financial advice.

Stay with LOAD TIDE for daily updates on the freight and trucking market.

Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration via FRED and Weekly Diesel, OilPrice.com, CNBC, Electrek, FreightWaves, CDLLife, Aurora Innovation, FreightWaves, FMCSA, Overdrive.