Angela Strand on the Future of Electric Trucking

From rising fuel costs to advances in electric truck technology, the economics of fleet electrification are changing. Gateway Fleets Board Chair Angela Strand joins the Last to First podcast to discuss what's driving adoption and why a simpler approach could make all the difference for fleet operators.

Electric trucking has come a long way, but for many fleet operators, making the switch still feels complicated. Between vehicle procurement, charging infrastructure, financing, and ongoing maintenance, electrification can introduce a new set of operational and financial challenges.

In a recent episode of the Last to First podcast, Gateway Fleets Board Chair Angela Strand sat down with host Jason Burns to discuss the evolving electric trucking landscape, the economics driving adoption, and what it will take to bring fleet electrification mainstream.

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1. The economics are driving the conversation

For fleet operators working with tight margins, electrification must make financial sense.

With fuel prices putting pressure on profitability, Strand explains why more operators are evaluating electric vehicles through the lens of total cost of ownership (TCO), rather than upfront purchase price alone.

The opportunity isn't simply to replace diesel trucks with electric alternatives. It's to find ways to reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, and create greater financial predictability.

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2. Simplifying electrification is key to adoption

One of the biggest barriers to electrification isn't necessarily the technology. It's the complexity of bringing everything together.

Operators must navigate vehicle selection, charging infrastructure, utilities, maintenance, financing, and more, often without the dedicated resources available to larger fleets.

That's where Gateway Fleets offers a different approach.

By combining electric trucks, charging infrastructure, and operational support into a single solution, Gateway helps operators eliminate much of the complexity and financial risk traditionally associated with electrification.

The goal is simple: keep fleets moving while making the transition to electric easier and more economically viable.

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3. Electric trucking is entering a new phase

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in electric transportation, Strand reflects on how far the industry has come, from early deployments to the emergence of new vehicle technologies and infrastructure investment.

With developments such as the Tesla Semi, growing interest in charging infrastructure, and advances in automation, she sees significant opportunities ahead for both last-mile and middle-mile transportation.

But successful adoption will ultimately depend on delivering solutions that work in real operating environments, at a cost that makes sense for fleet owners.

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Watch the full conversation

From the changing economics of electric trucking to the future of autonomous transportation, Angela Strand shares her perspective on the forces shaping the next chapter of the industry.

Watch the full Last to First podcast episode below.