History of Truck in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 22, 2026

A truck, also known as a lorry, is a motor vehicle primarily designed for transporting freight, carrying specialized payloads, or performing utilitarian tasks. Trucks come in diverse sizes, power levels, and configurations, typically featuring a body-on-frame construction with a distinct cabin and payload area. Smaller trucks share mechanical similarities with cars. Commercial trucks can be large and powerful, equipped with specialized equipment like concrete mixers or fire-fighting apparatuses. In American English, a commercial vehicle without a trailer is a 'straight truck,' while a vehicle designed to pull a trailer is a 'tractor'.

1901: Origin of 'motor truck'

In 1901 the term 'motor truck' was in use.

1903: Eldridge builds early American truck

In 1903, George Eldridge of Des Moines, Iowa, built an early American truck powered by an engine with two opposed cylinders and a chain drive. A 1903 Eldridge truck is displayed at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum in Walcott, Iowa.

1911: Usage of lorry for self-propelled vehicles

Since 1911, the expanded meaning of lorry, "self-propelled vehicle for carrying goods", has been in usage.

1923: Benz introduces diesel engine in trucks

In 1923, Benz introduced the diesel engine in production trucks, despite the diesel engine having been invented in 1897.

1930: Expanded usage of "truck"

Since 1930, the expanded application of "truck" to mean "motor-powered load carrier" has been in usage, shortened from "motor truck", which dates back to 1901.

1935: End of steam-powered wagons in the UK

In 1935, a change in road tax rules in the United Kingdom made steam-powered wagons uneconomical compared to the new diesel lorries, leading to the end of their use.

1939: Autocar launches the "DC" model

In 1939, Autocar launched the "DC" model (diesel conventional) due to the high demand for diesel engines in heavy applications in the United States.

1997: Driving license weight reduction

For licenses first acquired after 1997, the weight limit for driving vehicles for commercial purposes without a specialist license was reduced to 3.5 t (3.4 long tons; 3.9 short tons), not including trailers.

2002: Fatalities related to trucking accidents

In 2002, there were over 5,000 fatalities related to trucking accidents in the United States.

2004: Fatalities related to trucking accidents

In 2004, there were over 5,000 fatalities related to trucking accidents in the United States.

2006: US trucking industry employment

In 2006, the US trucking industry employed 1.8 million drivers of heavy trucks.

2008: Trucking industry lowers fatality rate

In 2008, the trucking industry had successfully lowered the fatality rate to just over 4,000 deaths, but trucking accidents are still an issue that causes thousands of deaths and injuries each year.

March 2012: Launch of InTANDEM road safety competition

Following pressure from The Times "Cities Fit For Cycling" campaign, in March 2012, the InTANDEM road safety competition was launched to advocate extra care when passing a large vehicle on the nearside, leading to warning signs being displayed on heavy goods vehicles (HGV) to prevent accidents with cyclists.

2013: C1 license category allows driving vehicles over 3.5 and up to 7.5 tonnes

Since 2013, the C1 license category allows driving vehicles over 3.5 and up to 7.5 tonnes. The C license category allows driving vehicles over 3.5 tonnes with a trailer up to 750 kg, and the CE category allows driving category C vehicles with a trailer over 750 kg.

2018: Fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses in the US

In 2018, in the US, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes.

2019: Alternative technologies compete with diesel engines

As of 2019, several alternative technologies are competing to displace the use of diesel engines in heavy trucks, with CNG engines widely used in specific industries but limited in broader freight hauling applications due to range limitations.

2019: Michigan Senate defeats measure to change vehicle weight limit

In 2019, a measure to change the gross vehicle weight limit in the State of Michigan was defeated in the Michigan Senate. Michigan uniquely has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164,000 lb (74 t), twice the U.S. federal limit.

2021: Heavy electric and hydrogen-powered trucks enter the market

In 2021, heavy electric trucks and hydrogen-powered trucks are new to the market, attracting interest from major freight haulers as part of the broader phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles.

2021: CO2 emissions from medium and heavy trucks

In 2021, over 1700 million tonnes of global transport CO2 emissions were from medium and heavy trucks. Many countries are further restricting truck CO2 emissions to help limit climate change.

2022: Trucks contribute to pollution

As of 2022, trucks contribute to air, noise, and water pollution. Most trucks run on diesel, and diesel exhaust is especially dangerous for health. Some countries outside the EU have different vehicle emission standards for trucks and cars.