The long-haul freight transportation industry is undergoing the most drastic changes in its history as local, state, and the federal government continue to push for the modernization of this sector for the 21st century with cleaner, more efficient engine technologies.
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) has announced its next Run on Less event beginning on September 8 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Run on Less - The Messy Middle will be a three-week showcase of 13 major fleets, all featuring alternative power solutions.
“The Messy Middle is a time when fleets can choose from a variety of powertrain solutions and other efficiency enhancing technologies,” says Mike Roeth, NACFE’s 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 list below are the attending fleets and their respective tractors:
- 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.
- To Be Announced operating a heavy-duty tractor on renewable diesel.
- 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 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 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.
- Saia out 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.
Showcasing these alternative power options is a smart way for fleets seeking to decarbonize to shop around, ask questions, and be in the company of those who have answers.
“PITT OHIO as well as other fleets I’ve spoken with are thrilled to have such a wide range of fleets and solutions in this Run,” says Taki Darakos, vice president of vehicle maintenance and fleet services at PITT OHIO. “We believe this truly represents the state of long-haul trucking today and by capturing data from these 13 vehicles that we will help the industry see the role these various powertrains play in both return-to-base and over-the-road long-haul trucking.”
