this post was submitted on 02 May 2025
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But that would require investment in infrastructure...
Bet that semi trucks are more expensive due to road damage and congestion alone.
Yes, but that’s all subsidized by taxpayers, so it’s more expensive overall but cheaper for YOU.
Privatize gains, socialize losses. The Capitalist^TM^ way!
Efficiency, pollution too (even when electric, because tires and break dust are a thing)
Something like 70% of transport-related particulate emissions (and microplastics) are from tire wear.
I've already commented on road damage, but yeah, trucking firms bear no costs for the congestion and other road hazards they bring with them. Society, as is so often the case, sucks up those externalities.
There's definitely direct economic damage here too beyond just repairs and slowness. It's sniffles business growth because the infrastructure is unreliable.
Sometimes I just like yo imagine how much fun the roads would be without trucks.
What you don't get is that trucks last less and consume more, therefore it's better for the robber barons.