This fall, 13 diverse fleets from across North America will hit the road as part of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s (NACFE) highly anticipated Run on Less – Messy Middle, a real-world demonstration designed to showcase the current landscape of long-haul trucking technologies and the range of powertrain solutions available today.
Set to begin on September 8, 2025, the three-week Run will collect and share key operational data from 13 trucks—each representing a different approach to improving efficiency and reducing emissions. The project aims to provide clarity during what NACFE Executive Director Mike Roeth refers to as “The Messy Middle,” a time when fleets must navigate a mix of technologies rather than a single, dominant solution.
“The Messy Middle is a time when fleets can choose from a variety of powertrain solutions and other efficiency-enhancing technologies,” said Roeth. “In this, our fifth Run, we are featuring tractors powered by diesel, natural gas, batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells. These four powertrain solutions represent currently available options for fleets today.”
Participating Fleets and Technologies
The trucks in the spotlight will be operating under real-world conditions, with solutions ranging from advanced diesel engines to zero-emission battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell models. Here’s the full lineup:
- Albert Transport (Laredo, TX): 2022 Freightliner Cascadia sleeper tractor with a Detroit DD15 diesel engine
- Frito-Lay (Topeka, KS): Volvo VNL sleeper tractor using B99 biodiesel via Optimus Technologies system
- TBA: Heavy-duty tractor running on renewable diesel
- Mesilla Valley Transportation (Las Cruces, NM): International LT sleeper with Cummins X15 2027 NOx diesel engine
- Kleysen Group Ltd (Edmonton, Alberta): Kenworth T680 sleeper with Cummins X15N natural gas engine
- UPS (Salt Lake City, UT): Kenworth T680 day cab with Cummins X15N natural gas engine
- Wegmans (Rochester, NY): Peterbilt 360 day cab with Cummins X15N natural gas engine
- 4Gen (Rialto, CA): Volvo VNR day cab battery electric tractor
- JoyRide Logistics (Phoenix, AZ): Windrose day cab battery electric tractor
- Nevoya (Colton, CA): Freightliner eCascadia day cab battery electric tractor
- Saia (Stockton, CA): Tesla Semi day cab battery electric tractor
- Pilot Travel Centers (Bloomington, CA): Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell day cab
- Penske Logistics (Katy, TX): Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell day cab
Throughout the Run, data will be collected via Geotab telematics systems, NACFE’s official telematics and data partner. Metrics and real-time insights will be made publicly available via the Run on Less website, offering valuable transparency into how these varied technologies perform under true freight conditions.
Taki Darakos, vice President of vehicle maintenance and fleet services at PITT OHIO, emphasized the industry-wide value of this diverse demonstration:
“PITT OHIO as well as other fleets I’ve spoken with are thrilled to have such a wide range of fleets and solutions in this Run. We believe this truly represents the state of long-haul trucking today and by capturing data from these 13 vehicles, we will help the industry see the role these various powertrains play in both return-to-base and over-the-road long-haul trucking.”
Leading up to the Run, NACFE continues its Messy Middle Bootcamp series. Sessions on diesel and natural gas have already been completed, with the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) unit kicking off on April 8 at 1 p.m. ET, followed by sessions focused on hydrogen fuel cell technology. Registration and access to previous sessions are available on the Run on Less website.
