Garbage Truck Bodies Market Segmentation:
Material Segment Analysis
Under the material segment, steel is leading the segment and is poised to hold the share value of 68.6% by 2035 in the market. The market is valued for its unmatched durability, high strength-to-cost ratio, and ease of repair. It dominates mainly in heavy-duty rear loaders and roll-off bodies that endure extreme stress and impact. The primary driver is the material’s ability to meet demanding operational lifecycles and payload requirements in municipal and industrial applications. While aluminum and composites grow for lightweighting to improve fuel efficiency, steel’s prevalence is sustained by advanced high-strength low-alloy grades that offer greater strength without added weight. The report from the World Steel in January 2023 indicates that nearly 70% of total global steel production is based on the inputs of coal via the BF/BOF route, underscoring its entrenched role in heavy vehicle production, such as refuse trucks.
Load Capacity Segment Analysis
In the load capacity segment, the 10 to 20 tons segment is leading in the garbage truck bodies market, serving as the optimal balance between regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and versatility for both the municipal residential routes and commercial collection. This range accommodates standard axle weight limits on public roads while maximizing the collection economics per trip. Bodies in this class, primarily automated side loaders and rear loaders, are the workhorses for city-wide waste management contracts. The fleet standardization around this capacity is driven by the need to navigate urban infrastructure efficiently. A key statistic from the BTS Annual Report in 2024 indicates that the Light-duty trucks had a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds in 2021, highlighting the industry’s concentration in this mid-range capacity for daily operations.
Estimated Vehicle Counts by Average Weight Class
|
Avg. weight |
Vehicle Estimate |
|
Less than 6,000 pounds |
122,200,910.20 |
|
6,001 to 8,500 pounds |
32,958,835.30 |
|
8,501 to 10,000 pounds |
5,048,018.90 |
|
10,001 to 14,000 pounds |
2,865,847.20 |
|
100,001 to 130,000 pounds |
55,414.80 |
|
130,001 pounds or more |
14,437.40 |
|
14,001 to 16,000 pounds |
650,197 |
|
16,001 to 19,500 pounds |
763,020.80 |
|
19,501 to 26,000 pounds |
1,258,305 |
|
26,001 to 33,000 pounds |
451,563.50 |
|
33,001 to 40,000 pounds |
303,556.50 |
|
40,001 to 50,000 pounds |
312,403.60 |
|
50,001 to 60,000 pounds |
385,841.80 |
|
60,001 to 80,000 pounds |
2,105,474.60 |
|
80,001 to 100,000 pounds |
142,033.50 |
Source: U.S. BTS 2021
End user Segment Analysis
The municipal/government collection sector is the leading end-user segment in the market, acting as a primary driver for the technological adoption and fleet renewal. The municipalities operate large standardized fleets under the long term service contracts, prioritizing reliability, safety, and compliance with emission regulations. This segment’s purchasing decisions are heavily influenced by the public policy sustainability goals and available federal or state grants, mainly for transitioning to electric and automated vehicles. Their demand for durable high-capacity bodies with advanced telematics is constant. Supporting this, the government data indicates that the local government's solid waste collection has employed a significant number of people, representing a massive, stable fleet base that drives the consistent demand for new truck bodies and replacement cycles.
Our in-depth analysis of the market includes the following segments:
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Product Type |
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Load Capacity |
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End user |
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Operation |
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Fuel Type |
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Material |
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