Laredo, Texas — The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) has officially kicked off its fifth Run on Less event, focusing on the complex reality of modern fleet operations. This year’s program, titled “Messy Middle,” tracks 13 participating fleets as they operate a variety of powertrain technologies across long-haul, return-to-base, and regional routes to determine how different fuels perform in actual working conditions.
Fleet managers and owner-operators are currently navigating a transition period where no single engine type dominates the market. NACFE Executive Director Mike Roeth emphasizes that this program serves as a snapshot of the current industry landscape, featuring tractors powered by traditional diesel, natural gas, battery-electric systems, and hydrogen fuel cells. The initiative aims to provide transparency regarding which technologies are ready for prime time and which require further development before they can support a standard OTR truck driver on long-haul routes.
The participant list highlights the breadth of the current testing environment. Albert Transport is running a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia with a Detroit DD15 diesel engine, while Frito-Lay is putting a Volvo VNL sleeper to the test using B99 biodiesel. Natural gas is well-represented, with Kleysen Group, UPS, and Wegmans utilizing Cummins X15N engines. The electric and hydrogen side of the equation includes heavy hitters like the Tesla Semi operated by Saia, battery-electric eCascadias from Nevoya, and hydrogen fuel cell Hyundai XCIENT tractors deployed by Pilot Travel Centers and Penske Logistics.
What This Means for Drivers
For the average CDL-A driver, this event highlights the shifting requirements inside the cab as fleets experiment with new hardware. Operators should expect to see more specialized training as companies integrate natural gas and electric platforms into their daily rotations. If you are browsing through current trucking companies hiring, you will likely notice these diverse power sources appearing in fleet advertisements more frequently over the next few years. Staying adaptable to these technical changes is quickly becoming a core competency for any professional driver looking to advance their career.
Industry Reaction
Taki Darakos, Vice President of Vehicle Maintenance and Fleet Services at PITT OHIO, noted that the industry is eager to see the data generated by these 13 vehicles. By observing how these powertrains perform in both short-haul and over-the-road environments, the industry hopes to gain a clearer picture of the infrastructure and maintenance support required for a mixed-fuel future. This collaborative effort helps remove the guesswork for fleets currently weighing investment decisions against the realities of daily freight demands.
Key Points
- The Messy Middle program evaluates 13 distinct fleets across diverse operational duty cycles.
- Testing includes a wide spectrum of technology, including B99 biodiesel, renewable diesel, and hydrogen fuel cells.
- Participating companies range from regional beverage delivery to national long-haul carrier operations.
- Data collection focuses on the practical application of alternative powertrains versus traditional diesel engines.
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