NACFE Looks to Demystify the Messy Middle

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency going to conduct its fifth Run on Less fleet evaluation study in the fall of 2025.

And while Executive Director Mike Roeth admits his team doesn’t quite have all the details worked out yet, he can say that NACFE will be combining its Run on Less series with our work on the Messy Middle. The goal of this new real-world fleet study will be to help end-users make better alternative fuel and powertrain choices concerning the future of heavy-duty tractors.

A Focus on Long-Haul

Run on Less – Messy Middle will focus on the long-haul segment of the trucking industry, Roethe said. It will examine both trucks that return to base and those in over-the-road duty cycles.

The "Messy Middle" is a phrase coined by Roeth -- and now widely used in the trucking industry -- to describe the transitional period ewhen fleets will move away from fossil fuels toward environmentally friendly fuels and powertrain choices. 

It will feature fleets deploying Class 8 day cab and sleeper trucks with a variety of alternative fuel powertrains and the best energy efficiency technologies.

Run on Less – Messy Middle will explain the various decarbonization efforts including alternative fueling options and explore the impact of duty cycle on powertrain selection. Previous Runs have focused on vehicles in local deliveries or regional haul.

This Run will solely focus on the long-haul portion of trucking, a market segment that includes only 9% of the trucks but generates 48% of the emissions.

There is significant work being done in this segment of the market and this Run will give NACFE the opportunity to showcase the realities of that market, Roeth added.

Roeth said NACFE will once again feature its popular Bootcamp overview of the Run. And, he added, followers can expect the usual metrics and dashboards on the Run on Less website, compiled by NACFE industry experts.

Of course, Roeth noted, no Run would be complete without visits to fleet locations to talk with fleet managers, drivers, and others involved in the decarbonization of trucking.

So, NACFE will publish a report that shares all the things we learn during the Run. We also will document site visits and key findings in the videos that have become a key part of the Run.

“I am excited that we are going to highlight a variety of ways for fleets to lower emissions in the very challenging long-haul segment of the trucking market,” Roeth added.

If You’re Interested in Contributing

As NACFE irons out the details, Roeth said he will be sharing them with the trucking industry at large.

“As you all know, Run on Less events cannot happen without the support of fleets and OEMs being willing to participate, and sponsors willing to underwrite the costs associated with the Run,” Roeth said. “I’m happy to talk to you about being in the Run or sponsoring it.”

Mike Roeth can be reached at mike.roeth@nacfe.org or at 260-750-0106.