Seven U.S. truck fleets— together accounting for nearly 11,000 tractors and 26,000 trailers-- have signed on to have one of their trucks and drivers participate in Run on Less, a new cross-country “roadshow” aimed at showcasing advancements in fuel efficiency.

Run on Less is a three-week event that will kick off from multiple points across the U.S. and wrap up during the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show, which will run from September 25 to 28 in Atlanta.

Results, including fuel economy, freight efficiency, and dollars and carbon saved, will be tracked and reported during Run on Less via www.runonless.com.

At the close of the run in Atlanta, final MPG results will be announced, and drivers will showcase their equipment and share fuel economy learnings and best practices with show attendees.

The event is being organized by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and Carbon War Room’s Trucking Efficiency Operation. Shell and PepsiCo have stepped up as the title sponsors. Geotab is the event sponsor and will install its devices in the competing trucks participating in Run on Less to measure fuel usage, idle time, cruise control usage, and more. Pilot Flying J is donating $1,000 in fuel to each participating fleet. In addition, nearly two dozen other companies, including Heavy Duty Trucking, are serving as supporting sponsors.

“The fleets represent myriad companies hauling goods across North America,” said Mike Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. “They include a private fleet, Frito-Lay, running dedicated routes, some running only for-hire irregular routes and others with a combination of both.” 

These seven fleets have signed on to take part in Run on Less:

• Albert Transportation 

• Frito Lay (Pepsico)

• Hirschbach

• Mesilla Valley Transportation

• Nussbaum Transportation

• Ploger Transportation

• US Xpress

Roeth said fleet size among the seven ranges from US Xpress with 7,000 trucks to three fleets with approximately 1,000 tractors to two midsize fleets and an owner-operator. The seven fleets haul a variety of loads from light and heavy to dry and refrigerated while operating across most of the U.S. and Canada, making for a good cross-section of the industry, according to Roeth.

“By participating in the event, these fleets will demonstrate how Class 8 trucks can use different technologies to achieve the best fuel economy possible,” he pointed out.

“Each fleet will fit its participating truck with its own combination of commercially available fuel-saving technologies, proving that there is more than one way to operate efficiently,” Roeth added. “They are also selecting drivers who have proven that their driving habits contribute to high fuel efficiency.”

Brent Nussbaum, CEO of Nussbaum Transportation, said the carrier is "most excited to join Run on Less because we want to demonstrate the success that can be achieved when pairing a trained and educated driver with the latest technologies in fuel efficiency."

“Regardless of the price of a gallon of diesel, fuel is one of our largest expenses,” said Royal Jones, CEO and president of Mesilla Valley Transportation. “We have made the investment in fuel-efficiency technologies to bring our fuel costs down as much as possible. Every dollar we save in fuel costs goes right to our bottom line.”