In brief: FMCSA grants, GM U.S. investment, and rising diesel prices

The latest transportation updates reflect the current state of the freight industry in the United States.

$89.4 Million in grants for the Commercial Driver’s License Program

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has opened applications for grants aimed at improving road safety through the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program. The application period will remain open until July 7, with a total of $89.4 million available, according to FMCSA.

This long-standing FMCSA initiative will see some changes in 2025. This year, criteria related to climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion have been removed, with a renewed focus on safety improvements, measurable outcomes, and accountability. FMCSA has urged applicants to review the updated guidelines to align with these new priorities.

While state licensing agencies are typically the main applicants, other entities may also submit proposals that improve the CDL system nationwide, such as efforts to streamline communication between courts and licensing agencies or provide specialized training.

In 2024, the program allocated $55.1 million in 41 grants to 30 organizations. States receiving the largest funding amounts included Louisiana, New York, Virginia, and South Carolina. Non-state recipients included universities and professional associations.

The goal of this funding is to ensure that only properly trained and qualified drivers obtain commercial licenses and to strengthen state compliance with federal safety regulations, reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving commercial vehicles.

General Motors to move production from Mexico to the U.S.

General Motors has announced a $4 billion investment to shift part of its production from Mexico to the United States. The decision comes in response to new tariff adjustments introduced by President Donald Trump to encourage domestic manufacturing. Following the announcement, GM shares rose nearly 1% before markets opened on June 11.

The investment, to be carried out over the next two years, will relocate the production of gasoline-powered Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox models from Mexico to plants in Tennessee and Kansas starting in 2027. GM will also expand production of SUVs and light trucks at its Michigan plant, which had been retooled for electric vehicles—though EV demand has since weakened.

Through this strategy, GM plans to assemble more than 2 million vehicles annually in the U.S. and reinforce its commitment to local employment. The company operates 50 plants in 19 states and estimates that about one million people in the U.S. rely on its network, including employees, suppliers, and dealers.

Average diesel price rises in the U.S.

Data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on June 10 showed that the national average price of diesel increased by 2 cents, reaching $3.471 per gallon.

This increase followed seven consecutive declines over the past eight weeks, which had reduced diesel prices by a total of 18.5 cents. The current average is now 27.5 cents lower than it was in 2024.

The West Coast was the only region to record a decrease, with California’s average falling 2.9 cents. On the other hand, the largest regional increase was in the Midwest, where prices rose by 4.1 cents per gallon. Regional average diesel prices per gallon are as follows: