The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) mandates the reporting of all indirect emissions across a company’s entire value chain. You may not know it, but GPS tracking for trucking companies plays a key role in reporting Scope 3 emissions – and it may experience significant operational changes over the next few years.
Scope 3 emissions refer to the indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur throughout a company’s value chain, both upstream and downstream. This includes those associated with activities such as the transportation of goods, business travel, employee commuting, and the use and disposal of sold products.
In other words, the CSRD tackles environmental impact head-on. It requires companies to report not just their emissions, but also those created throughout their supply chain (Scope 3). This transparency helps businesses identify areas for improvement and become more accountable for their environmental footprint.
So, throughout this article, you will learn why GPS tracking for trucking companies is essential, how Thingfox’s tracker can be a massive helping hand, and the many surprising benefits of GPS trackers.
GPS tracking for trucking companies: why is it important?
U.S. trucking moved 11.27 billion tons and generated $906 billion in revenue in 2024, yet 91.5% of carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks. Verizon Connect’s 2026 fleet report says 80% of surveyed fleet professionals now use GPS tracking, but the holdouts still rely on manual estimation for fuel consumption and emissions. Those methods are inaccurate, time-consuming, and prone to human error, increasing reporting risk and diverting resources from core operations.
GPS tracking automates data collection, providing reliable information for Scope 3 reporting. One distinction matters here: the FMCSA’s ELD mandate requires covered drivers to log hours of service electronically, but it does not require real-time vehicle tracking or precise location recording. GPS trackers and compliant ELDs are different products solving different problems (FMCSA removed two ELD devices from its registered list in May 2026, so always verify yours). For emissions purposes, GPS captures continuous route, fuel, and mileage data that ELDs were never designed to provide, reducing human error and standardizing Scope 3 measurement.
Beyond compliance, GPS tracking gives trucking companies measurable operational visibility, with surveyed fleet managers reporting average 11% to 19% decreases in fuel, accident, labor, and maintenance costs (Verizon Connect, 2026).
As we’ll see later, with real-time visibility into fleet movements, fuel consumption patterns, and driving behavior, companies can identify areas for improvement and implement targeted strategies to reduce emissions further. This level of granular data analysis was previously unattainable through manual processes, making GPS tracking an invaluable tool for data-driven decision-making.
Relevant Scope 3 emission categories for trucking companies
While the CSRD requires reporting Scope 3 emissions, it’s vital to understand the specific categories relevant to trucking companies, which are listed below:
Purchased goods and services
Trucking companies rely on vast arrays of goods and services to support their operations, such as vehicles, fuel, infrastructure materials, maintenance services, and repairs. The production and transportation of these purchased items contribute significantly to the company’s Scope 3 emissions footprint.
Fuel- and energy-related activities
The transportation industry depends on fossil fuels, and trucking is no exception, though electric trucks are gaining traction. A 2025 Geotab analysis of connected-vehicle data estimated that 58% of medium-duty and 41% of heavy-duty trucks could suit electrification based on daily range, but charging access and payload constraints still limit adoption. The extraction, production, and transportation of fuels used to power truck fleets generate substantial indirect emissions under this category.
Transportation and distribution
Trucking companies don’t exist in a vacuum, relying on other transportation methods, such as shipping, rail, air freight, and third-party trucking services, to deliver inputs and materials necessary for their operations. The emissions generated by these upstream transportation and distribution activities contribute significantly to the company’s carbon footprint.
Waste generated in operations
The daily operations of a trucking company generate various waste streams, including disposed tires, vehicle parts, packaging materials, and other byproducts. The emissions associated with the treatment and disposal of this waste fall under the “Waste Generated in Operations” category.
Use of sold products
For trucking companies that sell or lease vehicles and equipment to customers, the “Use of Sold Products” category becomes relevant. This category encompasses emissions generated during the operational phase of these products, primarily through fuel combustion and vehicle usage.
End-of-life treatment for sold products
When vehicles and equipment reach the end of their operational life, they must be properly disposed of, recycled, or treated. The emissions associated with these end-of-life activities fall under this category.
Downstream transportation and distribution
The transportation of goods and materials downstream in the supply chain, including the delivery of products to customers and end-users, is a significant contributor to Scope 3 emissions for trucking companies.
This category, known as “Downstream Transportation and Distribution,” also includes emissions from the final leg of the supply chain, often referred to as last-mile deliveries.
How does Thingfox’s Scope 3 tracker work?
Thingfox’s Scope 3 tracker is designed for seamless integration into existing truck infrastructure, minimizing disruptions to daily operations. The tracker is easily plugged into the truck’s systems, allowing for hassle-free deployment and immediate data collection.
This tracker automatically transmits data on gas consumption and CO2 emissions in real time, providing companies with continuous monitoring capabilities. This real-time data stream enables trucking companies to track their emissions with high precision, ensuring accurate reporting and facilitating timely adjustments to operations if needed.
Thingfox’s GPS tracker streamlines reporting for trucking companies thanks to two key features: automated data collection and real-time insights. This marvel of technology acts as a one-stop shop, consolidating all relevant emissions data, so compiling reports and meeting CSRD’s Scope 3 reporting requirements are a breeze.
To learn more about this product, get in touch with our team!
Other surprising benefits of GPS tracking for trucking companies
Enhanced efficiency and optimized operations
GPS tracking technology offers numerous benefits beyond compliance with reporting requirements. By providing accurate data on vehicle routes, fuel consumption, and driving patterns, trucking companies can optimize their operations for increased efficiency.
This includes identifying opportunities for route optimization, reducing fuel consumption, and improving delivery schedules, all of which contribute to lower emissions and cost savings.
24/7 asset tracking, ensuring security, and reducing risks
GPS tracking systems let trucking companies monitor their fleet’s location in real time, a capability with real financial stakes. Verisk CargoNet recorded 2,646 confirmed cargo-theft incidents in the U.S. and Canada in 2025, with estimated losses nearing $725 million (up 60% from 2024). With constant oversight of vehicle whereabouts, companies can trigger geofence alerts, accelerate incident response, and share actionable coordinates with law enforcement.
Improved driver behavior
GPS tracking data can provide valuable insights into driver behavior, including acceleration patterns, idling times, and adherence to speed limits. Trucking companies can leverage this information to identify areas for improvement, implement training programs, and promote fuel-efficient and safe driving practices among their drivers.
The results show up on the balance sheet. GP Transco reported $500,000 in annual fuel savings from a coaching program built on its telematics data. B.A.M. Trucking cut $200,000 in insurance premiums using integrated video to dispute a false claim. Both outcomes came from acting on the data, not just collecting it.
Reduced paperwork by streamlining operations with automated digital records
GPS tracking systems generate digital records of routes, delivery times, and proof of delivery, reducing the reliance on traditional paperwork. This streamlines various aspects of trucking operations, including route planning, dispatching, and customer invoicing, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced administrative burdens.
Improved customer service satisfaction and transparency
GPS tracking for trucking companies can provide their customers with precise updates on shipment status and expected arrival times by leveraging real-time location data and accurate delivery estimates. This level of transparency and reliability enhances customer satisfaction and further strengthens business relationships.
GPS tracking for trucking companies: wrapping it up
These new emissions reporting rules are no joke for trucking companies, but Thingfox’s GPS tracking tech can help you adapt without missing a beat. It automatically tracks fuel use and emissions with minimal effort on your part, and the same data feeds operational decisions (routing, driver coaching, maintenance scheduling) that pay for themselves.
But that’s just the start: GPS tracking also optimizes routes, helps drivers operate more efficiently, provides 24/7 vehicle monitoring, and streamlines operations across the board. You’ll see real cost savings and happier customers too.
Our experts at Datanet IoT have you covered with specialized GPS trackers made for truck fleets. Reach out to see how our tracking solutions (be they related to assets, environments, or oceanographic equipment) can modernize your trucking business while checking the sustainability box!
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