Many people have their own ideas of who a pickup truck driver is. It’s not your neutral vehicle like a mid-size sedan or compact SUV. When was the last time you heard anyone make assumptions about someone for driving a Chevy Malibu? You can’t think of it, can you? But here’s the thing: Trucks are getting a rebrand.
Ford’s Great American Truck Survey asked thousands of Americans their feelings on trucks and their truck habits. The results might surprise you, and encourage you. If you’ve been wanting to visit a truck dealership and check out models, you might find a more diverse crowd there than you’d expect. Trucks represent endurance, hard work and strength, and there are many people who can get behind that. Here are some truck driver stats that might surprise you.
The Biggest Age Group: 18 to 34
Young people love trucks, it turns out. In fact, 27 percent of truck drivers are between the ages of 18 and 34. It makes sense if you think about it, because trucks are good for all of the things young folks have to do and enjoy doing.
They’re great for moving day. Moving from one dorm to another, and eventually one apartment to another, throughout college and one’s early 20s, trucks will come in quite handy.
Trucks are also perfect for tailgate parties. You can toss a portable grill in the bed, a cooler full of beverages, a game of corn hole, and all of the other supplies you need for a great day of grilling with friends.
If you’re shocked that so many young people, the group most concerned with climate change, like a vehicle notorious for guzzling fuel, think again. More truck manufacturers are releasing hybrid and electric models, so planet-loving youngin’s can get behind a classic pickup. It also doesn’t hurt that many great pickup trucks from names like Ford and Chevy are known to last a long time. So that means young drivers can find a quality used one, and used vehicles tend to sit in a good price range for a young person’s budget.
Nearly Half of Pickup Truck Drivers Are Women
It turns out that 46 percent of truck drivers are women. The next time you see a pickup truck pull up, don’t assume a man is about to step out.
There are a lot of reasons why women are getting on board with trucks. First, their elevated driving height gives women better visibility on the road. On average, women are nearly five inches shorter than men, so having that extra height when driving can be a bonus.
Trucks can also lug a lot of stuff. Everyone has things to haul around, and not everybody can make do with a traditional trunk. Having a large truck bed opens up a world of possibilities for cargo that both men and women can appreciate.
Trucks are also famously great for construction workers, and more women are steadily entering that industry. From tools and materials to coolers full of beverages for a crew, there are a lot of things contractors can carry in a truck bed.
Pickup trucks are becoming increasingly family-friendly, too, making them more appealing to moms. More trucks are being made with advanced safety features that put parents at ease when transporting little ones. Many have convenient storage compartments within the cab that are great for young passengers’ snacks and homework. Today, many new models also have infotainment features that are great for busy parents.
People Would Trade Netflix for Their Truck
People love their trucks. They are deeply devoted to them, in fact. The survey found that 89 percent of truck drivers would be willing to give up watching streaming services for a full year before they’d be willing to give up their truck during that time. Think about that. People would be willing to sit out seeing all the shows that everyone is talking about. They’d be willing to go back to doing things like reading the newspaper or talking to their family at night instead of watching Netflix or Hulu. That’s some dark ages stuff, but that’s how much truck drivers love their trucks.
Ford also asked truck drivers what else they’d be willing to give up before they quit their truck. Many were willing to quit booze, coffee, and even using their phone for a full year before they’d step away from their pickup. There must be something really special about a pickup truck if folks are willing to trade all of those creature comforts for the vehicle.
Truck Drivers Are Generous
Truck drivers are good people. The survey found that 94 percent have used their truck to help somebody else, and 34 percent use their truck to help someone else on a weekly basis. If you don’t have a truck, then you’ve likely turned to the truck owners in your life for all sorts of things.
When you needed someone to transport that piece of furniture from the antique store to your home, you called your buddy with a truck. On moving day, in order to avoid paying a company, you asked your friend with the truck if you could borrow their ride. When it came time to go camping and your little front-wheel drive vehicle couldn’t make the trek up the mountain, you went in your friend’s truck. When you decided you didn’t want to sleep on the ground at the campsite, you put your sleeping bag in the truck bed. Sometimes, nothing but a truck will get the job done, and truck drivers are really the backbones of their communities.
More Are Ready For EVs Than You Think
It might be hard to wrap one’s head around combining electric vehicle technology and trucks. Trucks just seem to go hand in hand with gasoline, the roar of the engine, the smell of the fuel, and the emergency jug of gas in the back. However, more people are on board with electric trucks than you might think.
Forty percent of Americans are excited about the possibility of an electric pickup. It would solve the only major drawback of a truck, which is the fuel economy. Electric pickups mean no longer having to choose between amazing towing and hauling abilities or good fuel economy more than ever. Granted, many of today’s trucks use small-displacement turbo engines to provide a better balance of horsepower and miles per gallon. But imagine the possibilities that not having to use gasoline or diesel at all would open up.
There are conversations being had around electric trucks. Many truck drivers would get on board if they knew that finding charging stations would be simple. Others just want to know that maintenance costs would be reasonable. Many want to be assured that towing and hauling capabilities wouldn’t take a hit.
The good news is that many of those truck drivers will get their wishes. Take the 2023 Ford F-150 Lighting, for example. It can tow up to 10,000 pounds. The Hummer EV pickup can tow up to 7,500 pounds. Ford is working on giving their EV customers 12,000 more charging stations by early 2024. EV trucks are still very powerful, while eliminating your reliance on pricey fuel.
