13 Trucking Fleets to Demo Alt Fuels and Drivetrains in Run on Less – Messy Middle

Fleets using new electric and hydrogen trucks from Windrose and Hyundai will be part of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency's Run on Less - Messy Middle demo this fall, along with fleets running other BEV trucks, fuel-efficient diesels, natural gas and RNG, biodiesel and renewable diesel.

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April 8, 2025

13 Trucking Fleets to Demo Alt Fuels and Drivetrains in Run on Less – Messy Middle — Just how messy is the "Messy Middle"? 13 fleets will work on finding that out in NACFE's latest Run on Less.
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NACFE has announced the 13 fleets that will participate this fall on Run on Less – Messy Middle, a real-world demonstration looking at different fuel and powertrain options.

“The Messy Middle is a time when fleets can choose from a variety of powertrain solutions and other efficiency enhancing technologies,” explained Mike Roeth, NACFE executive director.

“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.”

The following fleets are participating in Run on Less – Messy Middle:

Albert Transport out of Laredo, Texas, is operating a highly efficient 2022 Freightliner Cascadia sleeper tractor with a Detroit DD 15 engine running on diesel.
Frito-Lay out of Topeka, Kansas, is operating a Volvo VNL sleeper tractor with an Optimus Technologies system using B99 biodiesel.
Mesilla Valley Transportation out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is operating an International LT sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15 2027 NOx engine running on diesel.
Kleysen Group Ltd. out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is operating a Kenworth T680 sleeper tractor with a Cummins X15N using natural gas.
UPS out of Salt Lake City, Utah, is operating a Kenworth T680 day cab tractor with a Cummins X15N engine using natural gas
Wegmans out of Rochester, New York, is operating a Peterbilt 360 day cab tractor with a Cummins X15N engine using natural gas.
4Gen out of Rialto, California, is operating a Volvo VNR Electric day cab electric tractor.
JoyRide Logistics out of Phoenix, Arizona, is operating a battery-electric Windrose day cab tractor.
Nevoya out of Colton, California, is operating a battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia day cab tractor.
Saiaout of Stockton, California, is operating a battery-electric Tesla Semi day cab tractor.
Pilot Travel Centers out of Bloomington, California is operating a Hyundai Xcient hydrogen fuel cell day cab tractor.
Penske Logistics out of Katy, Texas, operating a Hyundai Xcient hydrogen fuel cell day cab tractor.
A fleet yet to be announced will be operating a heavy-duty tractor on renewable diesel.

Albert Transport, Frito-Lay, and Mesilla Valley Transportation were among the fleets in NACFE's first Run on Less, where long-haul fleets achieved an average of more than 10 mpg.

The three-week Run will begin on September 8 and will feature metrics from data captured by Geotab telematics devices. (Geotab is NACFE’s telematics/data partner for the Run.)

Throughout August, the Run on Less website will feature fleet profiles for each participant leading up to Stories from the Run and data streaming from each truck in September.

NACFE’s Messy Middle Bootcamp continues with the first session in the BEV unit taking place April 8 at 1 p.m. ET. Sessions on diesel and natural gas have already been completed and following the BEV unit will be a unit on hydrogen fuel cells. Register for Bootcamp sessions or watch previous sessions at https://runonless.com/bootcamp/

Cummins and Shell are title sponsors for the event. NACFE is still seeking additional sponsors.

Watch NACFE's Mike Roeth on this episode of HDT Talks Trucking:

Topics:Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Alternative Fuels Battery-Electric Trucks NACFE North American Council for Freight Efficiency hydrogen fuel Fuel Smarts

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