13 fleets to participate in NACFE’s Run on Less – Messy Middle

Thirteen fleets from across North America, including one Canadian, will participate in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s (NACFE) Run on Less – Messy Middle, a real-world demonstration focused on evaluating a variety of powertrain options currently available to long-haul fleets.

The three-week run begins Sept. 8, 2025, and performance data will be collected through Geotab telematics devices

(Photo: NACFE)

“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,” said Mike Roeth, NACFE’s executive director. “

The participating fleets reflect a broad mix of vehicle types and technologies. Albert Transport out of Laredo, Texas, is running a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia sleeper tractor with a Detroit DD15 diesel engine. Frito-Lay, based in Topeka, Kan., is operating a Volvo VNL sleeper tractor equipped with an Optimus Technologies system using B99 biodiesel. Another fleet, still to be announced, will operate a tractor running on renewable diesel.

Kleysen Group, operating out of Edmonton, Alta., is running a Kenworth T680 sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15N engine fueled by natural gas. Mesilla Valley Transportation, based in Las Cruces, N.M., is fielding an International LT sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15 2027 NOx diesel engine. UPS, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is also using a Kenworth T680 day cab with a natural gas-powered Cummins X15N, while Wegmans of Rochester, N.Y., is deploying a Peterbilt 360 day cab with the same powertrain.

4Gen electric volvo — 4Gen’s electric Volvo VNR day cab on the highway in Rialto, Calif. (Photo: Krystyna Shchedrina)

Battery electric tractors will also be well represented. 4Gen of Rialto, Calif., is participating with a Volvo VNR day cab, and JoyRide Logistics, out of Phoenix, Ariz., is running a battery-electric Windrose day cab. Nevoya, based in Colton, Calif., is fielding a Freightliner eCascadia day cab, and Saia in Stockton, Calif., is operating a Tesla Semi day cab.

Two fleets will operate hydrogen fuel cell trucks. Pilot Travel Centers, based in Bloomington, Calif., and Penske Logistics out of Katy, Texas, will each run a Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell day cab tractor.

Leading up to the event, NACFE will publish fleet profiles throughout August, followed by stories from the run and live data streaming throughout September.