NACFE Announces Messy Middle Dataset and Workshop

From Executive Director Mike Roeth

If you downloaded the Run on Less – Messy Middle dataset prior to November 19, 2025, please note there is an updated file. Download it here.

We’ve released the initial findings from Run on Less – Messy Middle, and we are happy to report that all the powertrain solutions in the Run performed well. We will continue to do a deep dive into the data in the coming weeks and months and have released a dataset that contains information on various performance aspects of the 14 vehicles in the Run.

Here are some key data points from the Run.

• Two diesel trucks traveled a combined 22,550 miles at an overall average of 11.6 MPG.
• A truck equipped to run on 99% biodiesel ran 5,418 miles at 9.5 MPG.
• The three natural gas trucks ran challenging routes, heavy with double and sometimes triple trailers over 20,739 miles. A majority of those miles were run over 120,000 GVW.
• The fleets are using RNG contracts with a reduced carbon intensity covering most of these miles.
• One BEV completed 465 miles on a single charge.
• A BEV slip seated (dual shift utilization) covering 3,676 miles over the 18 days with the truck driving 52% and charging only 13% of the time.
• A BEV covered 875 miles in a single day and 5,740 miles over 18 days using only public charging.
• A hydrogen fuel cell truck with 100% uptime, covered 4,076 miles over the Run, one day at 411 miles, at 7.8 miles per kg H2.

We also drew broad conclusions based on the Run itself as well as the Bootcamp training sessions and interviews with the fleets prior to the Run.

• Powertrain technologies in the trucking industry are constantly evolving yet must compete directly on cost and performance in an environment of shifting regulations and incentives.
• Fleet owners, their customers, and the public continue to value sustainability efforts while still looking for good returns on their investments.
• Fleets have more powertrain choices from OEMs, which is creating challenges given the increasing segmentation of the truck market.
• Recent significant powertrain advancements include a 15L natural gas engine, 400+ mile battery electric vehicles, high power fast charging stations, increased availability of renewable natural gas and bio and renewable diesel, and new high-volume OEM entrants.
• All the powertrain technologies are improving and revealing new benefits. However, challenges persist, especially with fueling/charging infrastructure, weight, and cost.

More specifically on the final point we learned the following.

• Natural gas trucks are satisfying the needs of diesel with more power, torque, range and quick fill times.
• Battery electric truck range, weight and costs are becoming more competitive with diesel trucks in similar duty cycles.
• While production of renewable fuels is increasing, it remains well below what is needed for wide scale adoption by fleets.
• Hydrogen in freight movement is still a nascent technology but is showing promise in certain use cases.

We will publish a report in January on the mechanics of the Run; we will hold a “potluck” data analysis workshop in Boulder February 17-18; and we will publish a detailed analysis of the findings from the Run by mid-2026. If you would like to present at the data analysis workshop, email rob.graff@nacfe.org to be invited to a virtual informational meeting on December 2 at 2 pm ET.

As you review the data, please share your comments with us on what you find to be key learnings.

Our goal with this Run was to bring clarity to long-haul trucking. And we are wondering how we did. Click here to answer a couple questions for us – we’d really like to hear from you. Final results will be published in the December newsletter.