Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Major Fleets Saved $477 Million With Fuel-Efficient Tech

Fourteen fleets achieved fuel savings of $477 million in 2014 by adopting a variety of fuel efficiency technologies according to an annual study from the NACFE.

by Staff
May 7, 2015
Major Fleets Saved $477 Million With Fuel-Efficient Tech

Photo via Con-way Truckload

2 min to read


Photo via Con-way Truckload

Fourteen fleets achieved fuel savings of $477 million in 2014 by adopting a variety of fuel efficiency technologies according to an annual study from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.

The Annual Fleet Fuel Study surveyed fleets operating a combined 53,000 tractors and 160,000 trailers and found that they saved an average of $9,000 per year per truck. The fleets were also able to reduce carbon emissions by 19%. The survey included fleets like Con-way Truckload, Frito Lay and Schneider.

Ad Loading...

The fleets achieved an average of 7 mpg on all of their trucks with 2015 model year trucks averaging as high as 8.5 mpg. The current national average is 5.9 mpg according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

The efficiency and emissions gains were achieved through the adoption of a combination of 70 currently available technologies. The fleets also made use of resources and guidance from Trucking Efficiency, a joint effort of NACFE and Carbon War Room.

“The dramatic improvement in fuel economy of the leading fleets this year is exciting,” says Mike Roeth, operation lead for CWR’s Trucking Efficiency and executive director of NACFE. “If we can get the owners and operators of the 1.5 million tractor-trailers on the road today to invest in more of these technologies, we will see significant reduction in fuel consumption.”

Ad Loading...

Each fleet used different strategies to improve efficiency. Frito Lay collaborated with tractor builders, aerodynamic-device and fuel-system suppliers in order to increase fleet-wide efficiency. Con-way Truckload found success in equipping 48% of their fleet with automated manual transmissions.

“We will continue to buy automated manual transmissions as they are providing fuel savings and drivers appreciate their performance,” says Randy Cornell, vice president of maintenance and asset management at Con-way Truckload.

The NACFE has conducted its Annual Fleet Fuel Study since 2011 reporting on innovative fleets that have committed to improving fuel efficiency. Fleets that participate in the study share their implementation experiences as well as best practices for using these technologies.

To download the full report, click here.

More Fuel Smarts

Illustration of exhaust aftertreatment system on an AI-inspired blue background and a green fuel pump nozzle in the foreground.
Maintenanceby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel

Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.

Read More →
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet ManagementJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →
Red Kenworth truck pulling Paper Transport trailer
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeJune 2, 2026

Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible

Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Composite image of different angles of the Kempower charger
Fuel Smartsby News/Media ReleaseMay 29, 2026

Kempower Adds Flex EV Charger to Help Support Transition to Megawatt Charging

The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex has both a CCS and MCS connector, allowing operators to serve both types of heavy-duty vehicles.

Read More →
White Hino Le electric tractor on show floor
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 26, 2026

Hino Adds Electric Class 6/7 Truck

Hino says the Le Series is an important step in the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact and support its customers’ sustainability goals.

Read More →
Sigma Powertrain BEV transmission.
Fuel Smartsby Jack RobertsMay 26, 2026

Can Multi-Speed EV Transmissions Solve Heavy Trucking’s Biggest Electric-Vehicle Problems?

A startup called Sigma Powertrain believes purpose-built multi-speed gearboxes can boost efficiency, reduce battery size and improve gradeability for heavy-duty battery-electric trucks.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Red Hendrickson e-axle at ACT Expo booth
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 22, 2026

Hendrickson Debuts Electraax E-Axle for Medium-Duty Trucks

Developed with Driventic, Hendrickson's new integrated e-axle is designed to improve efficiency, reduce weight, and extend range in Class 6-7 EV applications.

Read More →
Fueling trucks.
Fuel SmartsCover Storyby Deborah LockridgeMay 18, 2026

50 Ways Fleets Can Cut Fuel Costs Now — Without Buying New Trucks

Fuel savings don’t come from one big change. They come from dozens of small ones. Here’s how leading fleets are stacking gains across drivers, routing, maintenance, and more.

Read More →
Collage of HDT Top Green Fleets with logo
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeMay 18, 2026

Top Green Fleets 2026: How Fleets Are Reducing Emissions in the Real World

What works in sustainable trucking today? Heavy Duty Trucking's Top Green Fleets are finding practical ways to cut fuel use, reduce emissions, and keep freight moving.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Tesla Semi electric truck on display at ACT Expo
Fuel Smartsby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

California Launching $1 Billion Electric Truck Rebate Program

CARB says the California Clean Fuel Reward program will begin offering point-of-sale rebates of up to $120,000 for electric commercial trucks starting June 26.

Read More →