trucks

Trucks are motor vehicles designed primarily to transport cargo rather than people. They vary widely in size and configuration, from compact pickup trucks to heavy freight tractors. In North America, the term truck is commonly used for goods-carrying vehicles, while in much of the rest of the world a similar vehicle is called a lorry or a lorry-trailer combination. Trucks typically have a separate cab and a cargo area, though cab-over designs and integrated walk-in cargo bodies exist in many markets.

Classification is commonly by gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Light trucks include pickups and vans; medium-duty covers delivery trucks and utility vehicles; heavy-duty refers to tractors and large dump or cement trucks. Common layouts include two-axle two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configurations, and multi-axle arrangements for heavier loads. Body types include pickup beds, box bodies, flatbeds, dump bodies, tanker bodies, and tractor-trailer combinations that haul semi-trailers.

Powertrains range from gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines to electric and hybrid systems. Diesel powertrains are prevalent for durability and high torque, especially in heavy trucks. Electric trucks such as battery-electric pickups and larger refrigerated and tractor units are expanding, with charging infrastructure and range improvements gradually increasing feasibility for fleet operations. Trucks may use manual or automatic transmissions, and advanced driver-assistance systems improve safety.

Trucks play a central role in commerce, construction, and logistics, moving goods within and between regions. Regulation covers vehicle safety, emissions, and weight limits, and operators typically require a commercial driver's license or equivalent. The design and technology of trucks continue to evolve with emphasis on efficiency, payload, and safety.