The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) kicked off its fifth Run on Less demonstration on September 8, and the event is now one week underway. This year’s Run, Run on Less – Messy Middle, showcases 13 fleets operating a range of Class 8 trucks powered by four different technologies: diesel, natural gas, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cells.
The “messy middle” refers to the transitional period facing long-haul trucking, where no single fuel or powertrain has emerged as the universal solution. By tracking real-world data from fleets across North America, NACFE aims to provide insight into how each technology performs under the pressures of freight movement.
With one week under their belt, the NACFE team is already seeing extraordinary results, according to Executive Director Mike Roeth.
“The diesel trucks are showing 10-plus mpg, with some running a few routes over 12. This is extraordinary, and two trucks are using predominately biodiesel or renewable diesel,” said Roeth. “All three natural gas trucks are performing well, with all hauling doubles or even triples — two with loads in excess of 120k GVW — basically proving that renewable natural gas-powered trucks have the torque and power of diesel, while doing the work of two trucks.”
The battery-electric trucks are also seeing success, with one battery-electric truck traveling more than 1,800 miles in the first six days and another consistently traveling more than 435 miles on a single charge, according to Roeth, while the hydrogen fuel trucks are accumulating numerous reliable miles along the way.
Fleet Profiles
Albert Transport – Laredo, Texas
Operating a Freightliner Cascadia sleeper equipped with a Detroit DD15 diesel engine, Albert Transport is testing how the latest clean diesel technology continues to perform in long-haul service.
Frito-Lay – Topeka, Kansas
Frito-Lay is running a Volvo VNL sleeper fitted with an Optimus Technologies system that allows the truck to run on B99 biodiesel, exploring renewable liquid fuels as a near-term emissions reduction strategy.
Schneider – Phoenix, Arizona
The national carrier is participating with an International tractor fueled by renewable diesel, providing a direct comparison between petroleum-based diesel and lower-carbon renewable alternatives.
Mesilla Valley Transportation – Las Cruces, New Mexico / El Paso, Texas
MVT has deployed an International LT sleeper powered by Cummins’ 2027-compliant low-NOₓ diesel engine, putting future regulatory standards to the test on real freight routes.
Kleysen Group – Edmonton, Alberta
Kleysen is fielding a Kenworth T880 sleeper powered by Cummins’ new X15N natural gas engine, demonstrating how compressed natural gas can serve long-haul operations in Canada.
UPS – Salt Lake City, Utah
UPS is operating a Kenworth T680 day cab running on natural gas, reflecting the carrier’s broad strategy to integrate multiple lower-carbon fuels across its fleet.
Wegmans – Rochester, New York
The grocery retailer is running a Peterbilt 360 day cab fueled by natural gas, showcasing how regional fleets can adopt cleaner fuel alternatives while maintaining reliability.
4Gen Logistics – Rialto, California
4Gen has put a Volvo VNR battery-electric day cab into the Run, highlighting the role of zero-emission trucks in drayage and return-to-base operations in California.
JoyRide Logistics – Phoenix, Arizona
The Arizona-based fleet is deploying a Windrose battery-electric truck, bringing an emerging manufacturer into the spotlight as electrification expands.
Nevoya – Colton, California
Nevoya is running a Freightliner eCascadia battery-electric day cab, testing how one of the most widely deployed electric Class 8 models performs in daily operations.
Saia – Stockton, California
National LTL carrier Saia is participating with a Tesla Semi, giving the industry an opportunity to observe how Tesla’s battery-electric truck performs in commercial service.
Pilot Travel Centers – Bloomington / Rialto, California
Pilot is operating a Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell truck, exploring the potential of hydrogen to provide zero-emission range and fueling advantages for heavy-duty freight.
Penske Logistics – Lancaster / Katy, Texas
Penske is also running a Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell truck, allowing for comparison across different routes and duty cycles for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Each participating truck is equipped with Geotab telematics to track fuel or energy consumption, miles traveled, weather conditions, speed profiles, and elevation changes. NACFE has expanded its data collection this year to include route mapping and stop locations, providing a more detailed look at how conditions affect performance.
By bringing together 13 fleets using four different powertrains, the Messy Middle Run is offering an unprecedented snapshot of how carriers are navigating this transitional moment. Over the next two weeks, stakeholders across the industry will be watching for insights into cost, reliability, infrastructure, and emissions performance — the factors that will determine how quickly the trucking sector moves toward lower-carbon freight.
