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SUNNYVALE, Calif. — The strength of the overall economy, helped especially by the healthy construction and housing markets as well as fleets’ desires to have late-model equipment to recruit and retain drivers, is bolstering sales for Peterbilt Motors Co.

The U.S. trucking industry is continuing to adjust to the federal electronic logging device mandate that took effect late last year.

Well-known manufacturers as well as newcomers to the industry are advancing electric trucks, and both sectors will play important roles in the vehicles’ future, industry experts said.

As truck manufacturers begin to add electric-powered models to their product lineups, they are targeting city and regional routes as early applications for these vehicles.

As trucking fleets prepare for the availability of all-electric, plug-in Class 8 tractors, they are evaluating existing power capabilities at terminal locations and working through what’s needed for charging infrastructure to support these vehicles.

SONOMA, Calif. — Equipment manufacturers showcased new fuel-efficient Class 8 tractor technology here during Shell’s “Make the Future” event at the Sonoma Raceway on April 20.

Shippers are demanding more precise information about the location and status of their shipments, and transportation and logistics providers said they are using multiple load-tracking platforms to collect and share that information.

The trucking industry needs to hire about 30,000 maintenance technicians to keep up with demand.

With the increasing complexity of modern trucks and an even higher premium placed on drivers’ time, Glen McDonald, maintenance director at Ozark Motor Lines, knew he needed to maximize shop labor and move trucks through his fleet’s maintenance shops more ­quickly, all of which required an updated approach.